Going green isn’t just good for TV ratings. Being environmentally friendly can boost the economy, too.
Several networks hosted “Green Week” in honor of Earth Day on April 22. NBC, Fox and ABC took measures to spread the message about actively saving the Earth, taking the opportunity to market their own shows and gain the applause of viewers across the nation.
Despite the apparent self-interested motives for airing pro-environmental messages, these networks exemplify a recent trend in business. Although there is a risk in changing business practices, firms should realize that being green can boost business and employment in the long run.
We have all heard the ways companies conventionally green themselves. These include recycling by supply stores such as Office Depot, which offers free recycled printer paper in return for empty ink cartridges and by supermarkets that urge shoppers to use reusable tote bags in place of plastic ones.
Now, new business ventures pursue simple and cost-efficient methods of using not only products that are safe for the environment, but also resources that come from nature. Hair salons, for instance, are quickly implementing such innovative tactics. Aveda Environmental Lifestyle Store uses concepts from indigenous healing practices by offering products made from plant-based and organically grown ingredients. Its business has become so successful that it spreads across 26 nations, ranging from the United States to Taiwan. Although such an expensive investment may have generated low returns at first, the growth this company has had demonstrates that going green doesn’t necessarily mean losing out on profit.
Other businesses have created a niche in the market for themselves by taking advantage of the green trend. Such companies seek more practical scenarios for people being environmentally friendly during this life by offering the option of leaving life green. That’s right. Green funerals are becoming a popular trend in Britain. One funeral company, Green Endings, supplies cheap coffins made of cardboard and clothes sewn from natural fibers for its clients. While coming and going naturally is a somewhat ironic (and morbid) way to leave the world, it presents an economic way of upholding environmental notions up to the afterlife. How’s that for good, pro-environmental karma?
But perhaps the most effective method for a business to help save Mother Nature and to induce the economy to grow is to team one’s business with government protocols. The California Air Resources Board passed legislation in January 2007 requiring dry cleaning businesses to no longer use the toxic solvent perchloroethylene, a possibly carcinogenic chemical, by 2023. Moreover, dry cleaners must get rid of the machines that use “perc” by 2010.
Although this is quite an expensive update for dry cleaners around the nation, because replacement machines cost as much as $175,000, businesses can make up for the short-term costs through prolonged use and advertising to the public. Not only does this create jobs for manufacturing, but maintenance workers, repair workers and advertising businesses will also experience a widening field of job opportunities.
Perhaps complying with government standards is best exemplified by companies’ attempts to find replacements for fossil fuel sources. As the price of gas continues to climb, more energy-efficient techniques for refining resources is necessary. According to The Washington Post, Congress approved a bill about five months ago that “boosted the mandate for minimum corn-based ethanol use to 15 billion gallons, about 10 percent of motor fuel, by 2015.” Thus, some businesses have already tapped into ethanol resources, using food crops such as corn to produce motor fuels.
Although this adds to the increase in corn prices as the demand for corn rises, farmers around the nation can focus on producing more corn as it becomes the new cash crop, slowly edging the United States away from dependency on foreign oil production.
Such environmental techniques for meeting the demands of drivers and health proponents will prove economically fruitful for companies who choose to pursue them, not to mention the pockets of UCLA students and staff who commute to campus everyday.
Moreover, although we are in a recession now, taking care of the environment should still be a priority. The businesses mentioned each took the risk of establishing new habits to meet environmental needs and have been successful. Thus, being environmentally friendly is good not only for Mother Nature, but profitable as well.
If you have new ideas for going green, e-mail Tehrani at ntehrani@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.