| Whether or not you believe global warming could be | | | | materials during the production process, can you use |
| the end of civilization, there are other compelling | | | | something reusable instead of disposable? |
| reasons to take action to be environmentally friendly | | | | 7) Buy in bulk. You'll save time as well as trips back |
| in your business. Respect for the planet and life all | | | | and forth to the store if you purchase in bulk. |
| around you is the most basic of those reasons, but | | | | 8) Change your lighting. Open the windows in your |
| here are three others: it will reduce your costs, | | | | home office or working area and enjoy the beautiful, |
| increase your efficiency, and add to your USP (unique | | | | natural light! Replace your old style light bulbs with |
| selling position). | | | | energy-saving fluorescent bulbs to save energy and |
| By following the familiar reduce, reuse, and recycle | | | | reduce your electric bill. |
| mantra you can save financially, which will allow you | | | | 9) Choose a VA (virtual assistant) instead of an |
| to invest more into growing your business or free up | | | | in-person assistant. Work with employees or |
| family finances. | | | | contractors who work from their homes and you'll |
| You can increase your efficiency and get more | | | | help save the gas and emissions from cars driving |
| organized by making small "green" changes such as | | | | back and forth as well gain as many, many other |
| printing less. For example, fewer piles of overflowing | | | | benefits. |
| paper will make it easier to keep that working space | | | | 10) Combine errands and schedule meetings |
| clean and uncluttered so you can stay focused. | | | | selectively. Can you do them all on one day? Fewer |
| Sharing that you care, whether it's about the planet, | | | | trips in your car are better. If you can eliminate some |
| the people, or some other angle, or some other | | | | errands by having the USPS carrier (who's already |
| cause entirely, helps you connect with your market | | | | driving by) pick up packages or meeting with clients |
| and become more "real" than just a hidden person | | | | via Skype instead of in-person, consider it. |
| behind a faceless website. It's okay to allow your | | | | 11) Buy Green Tags. With green tags you can |
| personality and passions to shine through your | | | | compensate for your CO2 usage. I purchase mine |
| website and marketing. In fact, it's smart marketing! | | | | through Green Tags USA. |
| So with those benefits in mind, here are some small | | | | 12) Go 100% Replanted. Through Replant Trees you |
| steps you can take to make your business greener: | | | | can have trees planted to make up for your paper |
| 1) Reduce the amount of paper you use. Before you | | | | usage. |
| print, think. Do you *really* need to print out that | | | | 13) Choose your packaging materials carefully. You |
| email or document? If you just need a backup copy, | | | | can find green packing materials starting at |
| pick up an inexpensive USB thumb drive and use it to | | | | sustainablepackaging.org Recycle or reuse when |
| save copies of important files. | | | | feasible. |
| 2) Reuse and recycle. Keep a small box or tray for | | | | 14) Deliver your products digitally. Can you offer a |
| paper that you've printed on but no longer need and | | | | digital version of your products? How about offering |
| announce to your children that they are welcome to | | | | your patterns as a PDF download? Or a PDF ebook |
| color, paint, cut, etc with the paper. Kids don't mind | | | | option of your printable book? Encourage the digital |
| recycled paper and some really creative projects can | | | | options. Check out for an easy way to sell digital |
| result from paper that's already been used. | | | | items online. |
| 3) Buy EnergyStar appliances. Watch the energy | | | | 15) Sell locally. No need for shipping if you sell to local |
| usage on any appliances you purchase--computers, | | | | customers. Try craft shows or farmers markets if |
| sergers, sewing machines--whatever tools are | | | | they fit your products. You can find listings online at |
| required for your trade. Always turn them off when | | | | Indie Craft Guide or Indie Craft Shows. Depending on |
| not in use. | | | | your products you could also work out discounts or |
| 4) Go paperless for billing. Many business models | | | | commission based deals with tourist shops, museums, |
| easily lend themselves to e-billing. If yours does, do it. | | | | locally owned bookstores and other businesses or |
| It will save you not only paper/envelopes, but also | | | | organizations in your local area. |
| time and postage. Bills get where they need to go | | | | 16) Support green businesses. Does your webhost |
| quicker, too. | | | | power their servers with green energy? Does your |
| 5) Use organic, recycled and/or natural elements. If | | | | printer offer recycled paper for brochures or business |
| you've got choices in the materials you use, take a | | | | cards? Look for ways to support other businesses |
| few minutes to research your options. You may be | | | | who are making an effort to be green. |
| pleasantly surprised by the range of choices available. | | | | 17) Share your commitment! Several websites |
| 6) Choose reusable. Instead of notebooks and paper | | | | (EcoFirms, EcoBusinessLinks, Green People, Coop |
| for your to do lists, consider a dry erase board or go | | | | America, and others) maintain link directories of |
| to a digital online version. Try Google Calendar instead | | | | eco-aware businesses. Add yours if you're taking |
| of a paper planner. If your products require certain | | | | action steps to be earth friendly. |