Everyone these days talks about going “green.” But what, exactly, does that mean? The phrase itself is used so loosely and covers a large range of topics, that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes a green company “green.” In the simplest of terms, green means earth or eco-friendly. Therefore a green company is one that employs the utilization of practices, principles, and policies in an effort to provide a product that will positively impact the environment. This can mean they’re seeking to have as little negative impact as possible or they’re specifically making a product or offering a service that actually improves our environment.
Guidelines for Creating a Green Company in Maryland
The basic guideline for creating a green company is called the triple bottom line. This guideline demands that ecological and social effects be considered and often put ahead of profits when making a product/service. A model Maryland green company functions on three axes: people, planet and profit.
What Ecological Considerations Should Maryland Green Companies Make?
Pollution prevention. Work to minimize the amount of toxins used in a product in addition to proper mitigation of toxins at the conclusion of the manufacturing/cultivating process.
Recycling. The decrease in waste is emphasized throughout the entire process. Waste from the actual creation of a product and also from staff is limited. Recycled materials are used when appropriate and the product itself needs to be easily recycled.
Water and energy conservation. The volume of water and energy used during distribution and manufacturing are kept to a minimum. The usage of either of these sources is done so in a reserved and strategic manner. This can end up being particularly beneficial for a company as energy costs run high. Alternative, renewable sources of energy allow a company to keep overhead low and waste and pollution at a low level.
Sourcing. Truly green companies in Maryland source their products from green suppliers and make use of natural or organic raw materials. This in turn helps support the green community as a whole, pre-established Maryland green companies and encourages other businesses to consider going green.
Green Business Trends in Maryland
Green marketing. Also referred to as greenwashing, the phrase refers to spinning PR to make a company appear eco-friendly. Shoppers be forewarned. To guarantee authenticity, do your own research.
Green buildings. Once an unavoidable source of negative environmental impact, with the help of government incentives more green companies in Maryland are building (or re-building) their offices to be environmentally friendly.
Managing e-waste. An increasing number of green companies are educating themselves on how to properly recycle and dispose of office electronics in MD.
Transparency. Given the recent trend of greenwashing, authentically green companies are educating their consumer about their product from beginning to end in order to help them make the decision. Details about where the product is acquired from and what vendors the company works with, is readily and eagerly shared with the general public.
Popular Types of Green Companies in Maryland
- Thrift/clothing shops.
- Green construction
- Lodging (motels, camping parks, etc.)
- Restaurants
- Transportation (ZipCar, Honda, etc.)
- Energy (solar, wind, biodiesel, etc.)