by Laura Sherman

Created on: July 02, 2009   Last Updated: July 04, 2009

It isn't easy being green - or is it?

The idea of "going green" can be overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you make a difference without spending a fortune? It might not be as hard to be green as Kermit the Frog would have you believe and, as an added bonus, you might just save a bundle.

First, let's take a look at the difference between "green" and "sustainable". Green means that your practices are eco-friendly and that you are not continually creating severe problems for the environment. Recycling what you can, cutting back on paper use, reducing your need for valuable resources are all good examples of being green.

Sustainable means that you are providing for the needs of the current generation without compromising future generations. You are not leaving your "footprint" on the environment. In practical terms, you always replace the resources you use in order to make sure your children's children have enough. This is obviously the best solution.

Hybrid cars are a great example of being green. They do help the environment, but their manufacturing, fueling, maintenance and disposal processes are not sustainable. The environment is worse off for having the cars in existence, even though they are better than other forms of transportation.

Bamboo flooring is an example of a sustainable practice. Not only is bamboo strong, flexible and long lasting, but it grows rapidly and can be replaced at the same rate that it is used.

Sustainability might seem too difficult to apply at first. How do you make sure that you have no negative impact on the environment? It might sound impossible until you look at Mother Nature. She operates that way all the time.

Take birds. They spread seeds through their eating habits and providing fertilization for plants through their elimination process. They also keep the insect population in balance, protecting various plants from these pests. Birds also act as a warning system to other animals. They have multiple purposes and add more to the ecosystem than the food and water that the take.

What if a business could operate like an ecosystem, using every piece of material or energy that enters with maximum efficiency? There are a number of ways this can be done bit by bit in an existing business, which will save money and increase profits.

The first thing you need to do is an analysis of what comes into your business and what leaves. Note all the goods, services, employees and energy that comes in. Then notice what goes out. Find ways to harness existing energy and eliminate waste.

Do you pay for trash disposal? Many companies do. Some restaurants have begun composting food waste, sometimes selling it, sometimes using it.

Some businesses sell their cardboard, glass or aluminum waste to recycling plants. There are companies who specialize in recycling all sorts of materials. Some offer tax incentives, while others pay you cash, but even if they just take it off your hands without charging you, you are saving money.

What do you throw away routinely that you could instead sell?

Whatever steps you take in the direction of going green or becoming sustainable will help your environment into the future. Do what you can and strive to do more each day. You do not need to tackle it all at once, but if you work to save energy and reduce waste you will not only be helping the planet, but you will save money. Going green does not have to be overly challenging!

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