More Than WE Know

As you may remember from my previous post today is  Blog Action Day.  A few months ago, a group of bloggers got together and asked:

What would happen if every blog published posts discussing the same issue, on the same day?
One issue. One day. Thousands of voices.

Well, today is that day in 2007  and the environment is the issue!  As of last week 7500 bloggers had registered and the number was still growing.  (update: 15000 bloggers registered by this morning!)

The idea was to write about the environment from the point of view of the blog. Since my blog is about Women Entrepreneurs, especially Women Entrepreneurs who are aiming to do well by doing good,  I chose to write about a Woman Entrepreneur who is building her business around helping other businesses be profitable in an environmentally- sustainable way.  

I thought it would be inspiring to hear about her business, and provide practical information to other Women Entrepreneurs.

Many of the women entrepreneurs I speak with are concerned about our impact on the environment.  We have watched “An Inconvenient Truth”; we have applauded Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize; we have considered purchasing a hybrid car.  But in reality, few of us know how we can make a real impact on global warming or other environmental concerns. 

In short we are overwhelmed, discouraged and aren’t sure where to begin.

Elizabeth Striano wants to change all that.  She is the founder of A Green Footprint, LLC. Her company helps businesses implement sustainable solutions and reduce environmental impact through:

• Decreased consumption and waste production
• Increased efficiency
• Eco-friendly choices

Elizabeth holds a masters degree in environmental science and has nearly 15 years experience working on a variety of environmental issues, including water quality, energy, clean air, and public health and security.  

According to Elizabeth, “A Green Footprint LLC aims to help those organizations sort through the clutter and identify the most effective ways of finding efficient, cost-effective environmental solutions.”

Elizabeth blogs about the challenge of making eco-friendly decisions.  In recent blog posts, she describes her own concerns about the impact of her daily commute on the environment and the common confusion over which paper products to purchase.

Some ways that micro businesses and home-based businesses can reduce their impact on the environment and generally save money by using:   

• rechargeable batteries
• recycled paper
• certified forest managed paper
• refillable ink cartridges and pens
• laptops rather than desktops
• fluorescent rather than incancdescent bulbs
• solar powered calculators
• bio-degradable and non-toxic cleaning supplies, glues and markers

In addition, Women Entrepreneurs can take the following steps to further reduce their impact on the environment:

• get off junk mail lists
• market in ways that don’t add to junk mail
• unplug laptops at night and cell phone chargers when not in use
• recycle old cell phones and computers as well as paper and plastic
• use reusable cups and mugs rather than Styrofoam or plastic
• tele-commute
• use public transportation or carpooling when you must commute
• reduce packaging materials on your shipments where possible
• buy products in bulk and combine errands and trips 

Don’t forget that “being Green” is also good publicity:

• include information about it in your online marketing materials
• submit an online press release about your “Green business”
• let your customers know that you have “gone Green”
• let your customers know how using your services help them “go Green” as well

For more information send an email to info(at)AGreenFootprint(dot)com.

What ways does your business “go green”? What new ways will you add? Do you think it is important for micro and small businesses to reduce their impact on the environment? Do you think it is good for your business, or bad? Do you think your customers care whether you are “Green”?

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