For the past few years or so, there has been a sort of shift in big business. Before, companies would do whatever it took to get their business to take off, and the only thing that mattered was how much money you made, and how strong of a brand was created. Of course, this is still important, but the methods have altered slightly. In the last decade, businesses started to realize that, in order to create a truly successful and sustainable business, you have to make sure that every single aspect of that business is efficient. Which means that you have to cut out the waste. Eco-friendly business is the future, but it is already being embraced by some of the biggest companies in the world. Here are some of the most eco-friendly businesses from different industries.
Computer Technology: Dell
In an industry that is contributing immensely to large amounts of waste, Dell stands out from the crowd with its impressive green initiatives. Although computer waste is incredibly difficult to dispose of, Dell has won acclaim for its recycling programs, the first in the industry, and efforts to reduce waste in general. As a result, they deserve their place as one of the top green-friendly businesses in any industry, let alone computers.
Electronics: General Electric
After a rough history, during which the company constantly came under fire for pollution, General Electric is a company that is unrecognizable from the one that we knew 10 years ago. It has transformed its brand, and built a new, more successful company around its green initiatives. Some of the changes include a website dedicated to green solutions, and a comprehensive list of energy-efficient products that fill up the EPA’s list of Energy Star products.
Home Automation: Vivint
Following the lead of GE, Vivint has also made business out of providing green alternatives for the consumer. Their home automation package includes smart thermostats, automated lighting, alarms for gas emissions, and just about everything that is needed to keep a house eco-friendly. They have also made a successful venture into solar energy, making solar power affordable for just about any homeowner in the country. Forbes just published an article on the new ‘Zero Home” from Vivint and Garbett, that actually produces more energy than it uses, and the clincher is that it’s affordable. This is a monumental step forward in the green movement. With breakthroughs like this, who knows where we will be in five years?
Production: QMI Services
Much of what it takes to save energy starts with production. Much of that work is done by QMI Services, who provide production equipment, such as conveyer belts, shipping systems, and scanning and sorting systems that significantly decrease waste in warehouses across the country. Even though this is a business-to-business model, the environmental benefits from this company are seen through their product’s use in warehouses like retail giant Amazon or in manufacturing companies that produce everything from smartphones to car parts. These behind the scenes businesses just might have more of an effect on the environment than most people will ever notice.
Automobiles: Toyota
Toyota is so dedicated to reducing waste that the company has become famous for its Toyota Production System, a philosophy developed by the company’s founder to cut down on every kind of waste, with the goal of producing a more generally efficient business. Other green initiatives include the hugely successful hybrid, the Toyota Prius.
Clothing and Sports Equipment: Nike
One of the biggest companies in the world, Nike has made it their target to achieve carbon neutrality as a company by 2015. It is doing this through methods such as energy efficient lighting, warehouses, and teleconferences to cut down on travel emissions. The company regularly evaluates its progress with a series of checks.
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