Everyone today talks about going “green.” But what, exactly, does that mean? The phrase itself is used so loosely and covers a broad array 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 which 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 Oklahoma
The basic guideline for creating a green company is called the triple bottom line. This guideline demands that ecological and social effects be taken into consideration and often put ahead of profits when creating a product/service. A model Oklahoma green company functions on three axes: people, planet and profit.
What Ecological Considerations Should Oklahoma Green Companies Make?
Pollution prevention. Work to minimize the amount of toxins used in a product as well as proper mitigation of toxins at the end 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 quantity of water and energy used during distribution and manufacturing are kept low. The consumption of either of these sources is done so in a reserved and strategic manner. This can turn out to be particularly beneficial for a company as energy costs run high. Alternative, renewable sources of energy allow a company to hold overhead low and waste and pollution at a minimum.
Sourcing. Truly green companies in Oklahoma source their products from green suppliers and make use of natural or organic raw materials. This in turn helps support the green community at large, pre-established Oklahoma green companies and encourages other businesses to look at going green.
Green Business Trends in Oklahoma
Green marketing. Also known as greenwashing, the phrase refers to spinning PR to make a company appear eco-friendly. Consumers 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 Oklahoma 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 OK.
Transparency. Given the recent trend of greenwashing, authentically green companies are educating their consumer about their product from start to finish in an effort to help them make the decision. Details about where the product is acquired from and what vendors the company deals with, is readily and eagerly shared with the public.
Popular Kinds of Green Companies in Oklahoma
- Thrift/clothing shops.
- Green construction
- Lodging (hotels, camping parks, etc.)
- Restaurants
- Transportation (ZipCar, Honda, etc.)
- Energy (solar, wind, biodiesel, etc.)