A lot of companies make a big deal about “going green.” Sometimes, this is a case of an environmentally friendly company unabashedly tooting its own horn. Inexpensive furniture giant Ikea likes to present itself as one the world’s leading environmentally-friendly companies, but that’s okay because it is. On the other hand, you have greenwashing companies like General Motors, who create advertisements in an attempt to convince gullible consumers that the best way to fight global warming is to buy a Hummer.
Then, there are the unsung heroes. These companies may not be well known for their progressive environmental practices, but they continue to operate behind the scenes to help keep our planet livable. Here are five of the greenest corporations that work tirelessly to be Eco-friendly, and yet get almost no recognition whatsoever.
- Motorola. Cell phones can have a largely negative impact on the environment, due to the facts that they require expensive rare metals that need to be stripped mined out of the broken earth, they run on batteries that leak dangerous chemicals into landfills, and they generally get replaced after only a couple of years. Motorola took a look at these problems and said “Hm, we can fix that.” They started a Global Take Back Program that rewards customers for recycling their old phones for environmentally friendly disposal and reuse. Additionally, Motorola has partnered with other recycling programs around the world.
- McGraw-Hill. The publishing company Mcgraw-Hill may have built its empire on the backs of felled trees, but they’ve come a long way to make themselves a green company that people can trust. Not only does it enforce strict environmental practices within its own ranks, but it also ensures that its partners hold to eco-friendly practices too.
- QMI Services. QMI designs automated production equipment such as material handling systems and weigh in motion devices for factories around the world. While factory production may not seem like a very eco-friendly business, QMI is helping the world by using energy efficiently in their own systems, and designing efficient systems for other factories as well. Their systems help retail giants like Amazon.com, or shipping moguls like FedEx keep their emissions down, which could have a big impact on the environment.
- Allstate. Insurance providers get accused of a lot of things, but they don’t usually get blamed for harming the environment. That hasn’t stopped All State from trying to fix things just the same. All State has a Sustainability Leadership Team made up of senior staff from every section of the company, that is responsible for creating environmental initiatives and various green programs. As a result, All State has reduced its carbon footprint by 15%, and has cut its paper production by 41%. Its hard-work is beginning to be noticed, however, and in the last few years All State has been recognized by Newsweek Magazine as being one of the “Top 100 Greenest Companies in America.”
- Hartford Financial Services. A lot of companies do what they can to help protect the environment, but it takes a special drive to make environmentalism a top priority. Hartford Financial Services has instigated a sweeping recycling reform throughout the entire company, committing to save 150,000 trees. It also holds the seat of Climate Leader within the Environmental Protection Agency, so you can bet that Hartford takes its green-ness very seriously.
With our world becoming ever industrialized and incorporated, it is getting harder and harder to regulate the effect we have on this earth. It seems like the majority of people and businesses couldn’t care less about their impact on out environment. In the midst of all of the negativity, there are companies and individuals who are being responsible. Solar power and other alternative energy are slowly getting a foothold in the modern culture, and many people are changing their lifestyles to be more responsible. There is hope for this world, it will just take some effort on our part to set the standard and raise the bar for those still catching up to the Eco-friendly agenda.