One of the biggest up and coming markets today is that of ecological sustainability. Any product or service that is environmentally friendly is going to be big in the years to come. As this market is really just getting off the ground, now is the best time to start any type of business of this kind. Consider businesses in sustainability consulting and recycling program development. Essentially what you’d be doing is educating and/or assisting others who are seeking to implement the necessary steps for becoming sustainable. Many businesses today require the expertise to actively manage their social and environmental impact. Case in point – IBM has recently been named in a lawsuit citing that they are guilty of toxic dumping at their Endicott, NY headquarters. So if you are into social responsibility and accountability, and we all should be, why not make a career out of something you are passionate about and benefits the entire globe. If your are more interested in a non-technical type of business or don’t have the MBA that may be required for a consulting type venture, you may want to consider green apparel design or boutiques that offer only green products. Anything made from recycled product, anything energy efficient and saves energy, water, gas, etc., anything produced organically, or anything that provides an alternative to hazardous materials is worth marketing and selling. There are many different opportunities to consider in the sustainable products and services market, so I encourage you to really research the many available options. Here are some of eco-friendly businesses I have recently come across:
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Cleaning service using organic products
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Composting services
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Pesticide free landscaping services & yard maintenance
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Diaper services (these are really making a comeback)
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Organic foods and produce
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Art made from recycled products
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Soaps & beauty products
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Home efficiency auditing
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Solar windows installation
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Home insulation products and installations
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Home renovations using recycled products and energy efficient items
Regardless of what type of “green” business you decide to start, you should also look into any type of government subsidy or offers that may be available in your city or country. And remember, just by working at home, you already have a jump start on being eco-friendly as you will no longer be creating vehicle emissions by driving 30 minutes into an office!
XO Rolyn 