Emphasis is being placed more and more on saving the environment and reducing carbon footprints. ABC News reports that in 2009 environmentally friendly products was a ten billion dollar industry. Many businesses are going green in an effort to save money in hard economic times as well as to retain employees and customers. Smart Money says that Bank of America will be spending $20 billion on greening their company this year. Other companies around the country are following suit.
Preserve Resources
The Green Business Alliance says that preserving the world's natural resources is the responsibility of businesses and the people who work for them. Reducing the amount of resource consumption can help keep the environment intact and can reduce the affects of global warming. Some businesses are turning to solar power. One such company is FedEx, says ABC News. They are using solar panels to run some of their operations, which helps the environment and saves the company money at the same time.
Employees
Businesses who go green are setting a good example for their employees, says the Green Business Alliance. This can lead to better morale among employees and makes them feel a higher level of loyalty to the company they work for. This can be as simple as placing recycling bins around the building for paper, plastic and glass. Greening a business results in a cleaner and healthier environment for the people who are employed there. Being green can also give companies a competitive edge, according to the Green Business Alliance. This is because customers and potential employees often seek out products and companies that are doing their part to save the environment.
Efficiency
One of the biggest reasons why a business goes green is because of the bottom line--profits, says Smart Money. Being more environmentally friendly saves energy and natural resources, but often results in a money savings for a company. It can lower energy and water costs while also bringing in business. Using recycled materials can save a company money, as well.
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