Chapter 9
Making Your Company
Environmentally Friendly
In This Chapter
Discovering the advantages of going green now
Looking at companies that are environmentally friendly
Complying with the bird’s nest of environmental regulations
G
oing green. Everyone has heard the phrase, but what exactly does it
mean? It’s rapidly becoming one of the day’s trendiest catchphrases,
but the idea behind going green conveys a deep truth about a way of living
that individuals and businesses would do well to adopt. The focus? What is
happening to the earth and how it affects our quality of life, not to mention
the potential financial impacts.When individuals go green, they demonstrate their concern for the preserva-
tion, restoration, and improvement of the natural environment in just about
everything they do. They express consideration for conserving natural
resources and preventing pollution, from how much water they use while
taking a shower or washing the dishes, to the quantity and type of fuel their
vehicles consume, to the products they use to clean and the sources of
energy they tap to heat and cool their homes.In particular, people are increasingly concerned about how energy produc-
tion using fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas impacts the environment, and,
in turn, our future quality of life. They are also making choices based on
whether products and services are earth friendly, ethically produced and
made, recyclable, and energy-efficient.When a business goes green, whether it is a global leviathan, such as Shell Oil
or a small but bourgeoning startup in the discrete manufacturing industry, that
business demonstrates its commitment to these matters, which are increas-
ingly becoming government mandates or regulations. In addition, however,
green businesses are also obligated to enhance the health and safety programs
for both their employees and the public, at times on a global level.