Being a Green Business and What That Means

I want to run a green business

I am an environmentalist, a tree hugger, a dirty hippie and every day I do my best to lessen my impact on the earth.

My issue with calling Elastic Mind a ‘green business’ was that I didn’t want to be a hypocrite. I used recycled paper and a waterless printer. I employ renewable energy to power my office and buy recycled furniture to fill it. I compost, reuse everything I can (including shipping envelopes and twist ties), go to meetings using public transportation and really try and do my best every day.

Is That Enough?

That may sound great but is it enough to be able to call Elastic Mind a green business? I wasn’t so sure since there is always more that I could do. For example, I sometimes run an air conditioner (which I borrowed, not bought) on super hot days so my Mac doesn’t overheat and explode. Is that really necessary? Could I live without it? Of course. So maybe my business practices aren’t good enough?

What Makes a Business Green

John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing would argue they are. Here are his ideas for what makes a business green. They are reasonable, attainable and fair and prevent crazies like me from calling themselves hypocrites just because they have an air conditioner.