Did You Know?  Every year, North Carolinians throw away enough trash to circle the earth twice?  Every hour, North Carolinians throw away enough plastic bottles to line the length of Lowes’ Motor Speedway 22.9 times?  The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store?

Discussion Topics  What is “green” and “sustainability”  What is a green small business  How to achieve green sustainability  What is a green audit  What is Green Business Certification  Strategic goals  What is LEED

What is green? What is sustainability? You hear the terms “green” and “sustainable” tossed around together with the words like “entrepreneurship” and “small business” a lot these days, but you may wonder: What is it? What does it have to do with me? My business and industry?

What is Green and Sustainability? Entrepreneurs and small businesses committed to building profitable + green sustainable enterprises in a manner that minimizes the depletion of natural resources, maximizes the use of recycled material, improves the environment, or any combination of these outcomes.

What is a green small business?  Making intelligent use of resources  Uses less resources and energy  Green retailing and sustainable entrepreneurship  Products that are both recyclable and biodegradable  Innovative, game-changing sustainable management

How small businesses can achieve green sustainability  Sustainable entrepreneurship seeks to run the business in a way which minimizes its impact on the environment  One way to minimize impact is through recycling  Another way is by creating green products or services  Using green audits and certifications

Using a “green audit”  Minimizing paper use  Using telecommuting and electronic communication  Replacing paper copies with Web-based documents  Buying products made from recycled materials  Using products that are recyclable and biodegradable

Green Business Certification (GBC)  GBC’s sustainable program defines key areas and specific guidelines in categories:  Recycle or reuse materials  Water and energy conservation  Pollution prevention  Solid waste and chemical reduction  Environmentally friendly purchasing

Key Benefits of GBC  Enhance your business image in the community  Improve your business reputation with current and new customers  Reduce operational costs  Differentiate your business from your competitors  Demonstrate an environmentally aware business

Strategic Goals  When it comes to being a leader in community sustainability, preserving resources, and protecting the environment, some of the many ways we “go for it” include:  Create a green business environment  Reduce / Reuse / Recycle  “Stop. Think. Conserve.” Campaign

What is LEED Certified?  LEED stand for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design”  Certification standard from the U.S. Green Building Council for buildings that are more environmentally friendly  New source of sales and profits  New building designed to be more energy efficient  Source:

Get Green and Get Noticed  Get GREEN in your business practices  Tell your GREEN STORY in the places consumers are looking to read about it: magazines, journals, newspapers, and your website  Know the story behind your GREEN PRODUCTS and feature that story in advertisements

Green Business = Smart Business  Promote recycling and waste reduction  Energy efficiency and conservation  Purchase eco-friendly products  Use less water and improve water quality  Improve air quality  Promote green practices across the community

Walmart Green Initiatives  For a Greener Good, Walmart’s strategic frame work for the products, services, and partnerships associated with becoming a more sustainable company include:  To be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy  To create zero waste  To sell products that sustain people and the environment

Resources  Last year, the Institute for Sustainable Development developed two guides to the green economy for entrepreneurs and incumbent small businesses:  The two guides share examples of green business ventures and include exercises an checklists to assist you in discovering new revenue and cost reduction business opportunities related to the green economy:  that-are-going-green that-are-going-green

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” Gaylord Nelson Former governor of Wisconsin Co-founder of Earth Day

Questions?