There are several different levels of being green. A company may develop one or more ‘green’ products but not necessarily be environmentally compliant or fully ‘green’. Before a company can become a green business, it must be essentially compliant with environmental regulations and then determine: what are the significant environmental impacts; what goals are important; how to reach those goals; and promote the successes.
(A) Measure and analyze Environmental Footprint
- Conduct comprehensive ecological footprint assessment of business operations
- Partner with companies that offer ecological footprint services
- Identify risks and cost savings of sustainability improvements
- Measuring an environmental footprint will set the foundation for determining the largest environmental concerns and the priority areas for developing an Environmental Management Plan.
- Train a Certified Sustainability Officer who will prepare and implement a sustainability plan.
- Work with a Certified Green Consultant who will offer guidance, conduct and audit, and prepare a sustainability plan.
(B) Create an Environmental Management Plan
- Comply with environmental regulations
- Establish an environmental policy and strategy for achieving sustainability
- Adopt green business strategies that increase opportunities for profitability
- Communicate environmental responsibilities to employees and creates training programs to ensure environmental responsibility
(C) Establish Sustainability Goals and set objectives to reduce environmental footprint
- Determine strategic plan to reduce footprint by creating short and long term sustainability goals
- Create specific objectives for sustainability that are measurable and recognizable
- Determine method of reporting sustainability improvements and evaluate alternatives for future activities in sustainability
(D) Create Green Business Practices that:
- Utilizes energy efficient methods of conducting business to reduce carbon footprint
- Creates waste reduction practices and a water efficiency program
- Builds a green workplace facility and purchases environmentally preferred products
- Reduces or prevents pollution and creation of hazardous waste
(E) Create a Green Marketing Strategy that:
--Details on the steps to developing a Green business is available at Business.gov
