Ethical Practices
While being environmentally responsible is fabulous, there are a lot of other things to consider when you choose the companies and people you will work with. There are so many companies out there that do good things for other people; they donate money, time, and services to community programs and charities around the world.
Finding Responsible Vendors
Co-op America has an entire Green Business Network that lists green businesses in its National Green Pages (www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages). These companies have been screened to make sure they qualify for membership in the Green Business Network, which is the oldest, largest, and most diverse network of ecologically and socially responsible businesses in the United States. There are thousands of green businesses listed in the Co-op America publication and online database.
According to consumer research, approximately 43.8 percent of consumers want to use more natural cleaning products — but only if the products work adequately. The problem has been that many all-natural cleaners don't seem to clean as well as chemical-laden ones. Now companies are trying to combine cleaning power with safe, natural alternatives.
To qualify as a green business, a company must operate in ways “that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems.” Green businesses work under principles and practices that improve the quality of life for customers, employees, communities, and the environment.
If you can't find any businesses listed in your area that are considered to be green, look for small business owners that are listed with the Better Business Bureau or go through word of mouth, online listings, and web searches. Think nontraditionally. Go to your local farmer's market or visit a craft show. Many people do things as hobbies so they never even think about advertising or they don't find a need to.
The Internet has made it possible to have a green store or eco-business without the need for a physical storefront. Not only is this less overhead expense for them, it cuts down on the consumption of resources and energy.
People in the United States make enough garbage every day to fill 100,000 garbage trucks; 15,000 tons of that (a whopping 32 percent of the total) is packaging materials. Only about one-tenth of all solid garbage in the United States gets recycled.
While many online retailers may also have a business open to the public, many work from home. This makes their work greener. They don't have to travel back and forth to work, they don't have to maintain two locations, and they can do much of their work electronically through the web and over the phone. This is very green, but these business owners may not even consider themselves to be green because they are just doing what is natural for them.
Highlighting Responsible Vendors
Tara Lynn designs natural fiber gowns custom made for brides. In addition to using organic hemp, silk, and cotton fabrics, the company is committed to making a difference. It recycles everything it can, powers its studio through solar energy, donates 5 percent of its profits to environmental organizations, and gives garments to local nonprofits once a year for auctioning. Order from this Vermont-based business at www.taralynnstudio.com.
CocoaVino (www.cocoavino.com) has both online and real-world store-fronts. A relative newcomer to the green business scene, it creates unique chocolate favors that have been a big hit in Brooklyn, New York, where the company is based. CocoaVino was founded in February 2005 by two graduates of the French Culinary Institute of New York, Alisha Lumea and Avril Pendergast-Fischer. They create exquisite chocolates made from wines, liqueurs, fruits, and other ingredients that are sustainable, fair trade, organic, and often regionally grown. In addition to using eco-minded ingredients, CocoaVino's kitchen and offices are powered by wind energy, its shipping boxes are made from 100 percent recycled materials, and its packing peanuts are made from 95 percent cornstarch.
Pear and Peony was started by two graphic designers in Northern California, Aimee Aikens and Kirsten Yeates, who wanted to create beautiful, soulful designs. Everything they sell is assembled or made by hand. Their products are all environmentally friendly, they purchase renewable energy certificates, and their office is powered by green energy.
In addition to finding vendors whose values align with your own, make an effort to hire vendors whose personalities are compatible with yours. The more closely you work with your vendors, the more imperative it is that you be able to get along with them.
Ethical Weddings (www.ethicalweddings.com) is a strictly Internet-based business. It was founded in 2005 by Katie and James Fewings while they planned their own eco-minded wedding. After realizing how much it was going to cost to get married, they figured they should invest their money wisely in something positive and worthwhile. They did extensive research into fair trade, organic, recycled, and sustainable materials and decided to make all the information available on one site to help couples around the world plan their own green wedding. Ethical Weddings is based in the United Kingdom, but it has company listings for around the world and its articles and advice are applicable to everyone.
There are people and companies like this everywhere, all over the Internet and maybe in your town. Some of them don't even advertise themselves as being green businesses; they just do what they do because they believe in it and enjoy it.
