Is Your Business Going Green?

In these uncertain economic times, a business needs to be sure that it is keeping up with the trends. If a service, manufacturing, or sales firm is seen as being old-fashioned or behind the curve in any way, profits can suffer. One of the most important trends for businesses to be aware of, for many reasons, is the environmentally friendly trend - a business going green.

Most people think of recycling when they hear about something or someone going green. And of course that's a big part of the whole environmentally accountable movement. Recycling can be as simple as having an aluminum can container in the break room, or it can be an integral part of a manufacturing system in which waste from a process is disposed of in an ecologically and economically sound manner. It's also important to make sure your employees are on board with the effort, and are understanding of and genuinely involved in your business going green.

Another way that a business can be environmentally responsible is in the type of materials used for packing and shipping their products. Recyclable containers and shipping materials are now available for almost any conceivable use, and your customers will notice how you are making an effort to clean up your act. Word does get around, and the reputation of your business will be kicked up a notch by going green in the packing and shipping department.

It may be an unseen area for most of your customers and even some of your employees, but using green products in a service business and raw materials that are as environmentally friendly as possible in a manufacturing concern will yield benefits in the long run. Again, the public image of your business can't help but get a boost when you let folks know how you are making an effort to keep your business going green, from the front door to the loading dock. And for a service business, the use of green products for cleaning and other industrial purposes can accomplish the same feat - getting with the program for the new millennium. We all need to understand and recognize the importance of a business going green, and the modern firm can set a good example and still turn a profit.

We suggest businesses strive to use green cleaning products that are plant-based, free from petroleum, and use cleaners and detergents made from renewable, biodegradable resources, making these products good for the environment. Businesses don't have to sacrifice clean to be natural! Care for your business, employees, and the earth in the Eco-friendly way!


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Want to know more ways to make your business even greener? Give Green Build Energy a call today! We a three step approach to make buildings more healthful, comfortable, energy efficient. The three steps will identify energy cost reduction opportunities and provide recommendations and proposals for cost-effective measures to reduce energy demand and offset energy costs with on-site renewable energy generation.

707.494.9587

Reinventing Batteries for Grid Storage

The City University of New York's Energy Institute, with the help of ARPA-E funding, is creating safe, low cost, rechargeable, long lifecycle batteries that could be used as modular distributed storage for the electrical grid. The batteries could be used at the building level or the utility level to offer benefits such as capture of renewable energy, peak shaving and microgridding, for a safer, cheaper, and more secure electrical grid.

Energy 101: Wind Power

Animated correspondent "Little Lee Patrick Sullivan" explains how the wind can be used to generate power, including where wind comes from, its history as a power source, how wind farms generate electricity and what's likely to be the first major offshore wind project in the U.S.

Does Going "Green" Add Value to Your Home?

There is really no evidence to really prove if going green actually adds value to your home. According to certain specialists, installing energy- and water-saving technology to your home does in fact add value to your property. It also adds more value to those who are interested in purchasing these kinds of homes. You are more likely to sell your home in a higher price and also are more likely to be in demand. There will be more people who are likely to want to purchase these homes than regular ones. The more these homes are in demand, the more people would want to have them. This means the purchase price for this kind of property would increase.

There was a study done in Australia which determined that most office buildings with very high green star ratings are rented more often, which means they are able to profit more. The property in itself is considered high in value. This trend is spilling unto residential properties as well and many homeowners are finding out that they too can benefit from this revelation by having a high green star rating on their homes.

Even though you can profit more on properties with high green rating, it is also good to know that it is beneficial to the environment as well. The fact that it is not only beneficial to you financially makes it an ideal investment. It is also good to know that it will help in how the environment is treated. It is basically great for two reasons. This is definitely a win-win situation. Those who care about the environment will most likely purchase these types of homes since they know they will be helping the environment in the long run. Preserving and giving back to Mother Nature will be worth every cent to them.

The fact that the cost of electricity and water is increasing nowadays will definitely be a good idea to own home like this. It will lower the costs since it is a home or property that saves energy and water. It is not only beneficial to the environment but it will also lower the cost of living when it comes to utility expenses. If you choose to own a home like this, it will most likely save you money over the years even though it will cost you a lot to buy one. Look at it this way - purchasing a home with high green rating will benefit you in the long run because you will be saving money with lower costs in water and electricity which is two of the major things people need to survive. With the cost of living going higher and higher, it helps to have a home that will lessen the costs when it comes to the essentials.

It is true that going green will in fact add value to your home. Why not spend on a home that will not only save you money in the long run but also help the environment while you are at it. Green homes are fast becoming a necessity in this day and age where earth's resources are becoming scarce if we don't start to conserve today. Some say green homes and buildings are the future and this is the best investment a person can make for their family, the earth and future generations.


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Ecotourism: Going Green on the Go

Summer is almost here and for most of us that means vacation time. Great news, we can vacation and still maintain our green principles. It's called ecotourism. Ecotourism, according to the World English Dictionary, is traveling to destinations that celebrate nature and vacationing in a way that protects or minimizes our impact on the world around us. You are probably thinking this means camping out. While ecotourism can involve camping out it does not have to mean sacrificing the comforts of indoor plumbing or any other comfort for that matter. Here are some steps you can take to create the green vacation of your dreams.

Make informed decisions
Research is always a great place to start before embarking on any new adventure. Ecotourism has become popular in the last few years, so just about any destination you chose will have eco-friendly options. If you are traveling inside the United States an Internet search for the Department of Environmental Protection in the state you are visiting will list hotels engaged in green activities. There are also plenty of hotels internationally that cater to patrons interested in going green while on the go. Websites such as Greenloons promote destinations around the world that specialize in ecotourism. There are green hotels and travel to fit just about any budget.

Ask Questions
However you chose to travel by plane, train, or automobile earth friendly options may be available. Asking questions can unlock all kinds of previously unknown options. Many car rental agencies offer hybrids. Since they are considered to be specialty cars the price is significantly higher than economy cars but the price range is generally in the middle range of all the cars offered.

Airlines such as Virgin America, Delta, and a few others are praised as being more eco-conscious than most. They go beyond recycling. Like airplanes trains have made many improvements within the last decade. They are cleaner, lighter, and emit less greenhouse gases than they did in the past.

Plan Ahead
Since ecotourism is becoming more popular planning ahead and booking ahead is a great way to get the eco-options that you want. It will help you get first choice options and save money.

Beware of Greenwashing
Beware of greenwashing. Greenwashing is when businesses deceptively promote the idea that the business engages in earth friendly policies. Doing your research and asking questions can help you make the right decisions when it comes to enjoying an earth friendly vacation.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7016742

Electrofuels: More Efficient Than Photosynthesis

The Advanced Research Projects Agency -- Energy (ARPA-E) has funded successful programs with OPXBIO, NC State and others to create hyper efficient processes for manufacturing biofuels and electrofuels, which can be used in the existing transportation infrastructure.

Good Sense Eco-Upgrades for Pool Efficiency

Think Green's Kellie Lightbourne gets together with Tessa McHenry and Scott Ferguson from Zodiac Pool Systems, to look at energy efficient, low maintenance pools that fit the green lifestyle.