Green Business Needs Less Talk and More Action

With all the talk, programs, and articles about Green and sustainable practices; it would seem that everyone has already made it past the talking part and are on the way to the action segment. That would be wrong because businesses are not transitioning to Green practices at a significant level. The unfortunately fact is that greenwashing is far more popular than developing a Green operation.

With greenwashing, a company can make a couple of superficial changes and declare themselves Green to the customers that they serve. Better yet, they can go to one of the unaudited programs offered on the Internet and literally buy a Green certification. Businesses are often inclined to take the most expedient path to peripheral duties, and the perception still persists that Going Green is not worth the time and money it takes to do the job in a full manner.

Starting a Green program need not be rocket science or a money dump. Businesses are encouraged to develop a sustainability plan that will map out a logical and practical program of greater Green participation. Every business needs to do this, and it need not represent a wholesale change in operation. Going Green is often progressive in nature allowing the company to transition to a Green operation.

To accomplish a sustainability plan, your company could hire a consulting firm; or it could install a Green officer who is already on your payroll. Train this person as a Certified Sustainability Officer which will instill a clear understanding of the sustainability planning process. The job is rather singular in nature. Develop a customized sustainability plan and then implement it according to an appropriate schedule.

The sustainability plan is always a "Work in Progress," so the work is never 100% done. The progressive nature of a Greening program, companies should transition to a Greener operation over a two to three year period. The cost need not be prohibitive or burdensome. Many Green concepts are literal money savers that create a rather fast ROI. Let savings this month fund the efforts of next month. The savings will compound.

If your company is not Green yet, but still talking about it; visit the Green Path Assessment website and follow the three steps necessary for any company to install a credible Green program. Hopefully, we will have fewer greenwashed businesses, and an increasing number of Green certified businesses.

We need the leadership of committed companies that will show the way to a Green future. The time for talking is over.