# To Green Business: Make Big Changes – Not Adaptations

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/06/to-green-business-make-big-changes-not-adaptations/
- Published: 2016-06-30T02:46:29-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Let’s seriously talking about turning your business green. Because, let’s face it:
there’s nothing green about certain dirty businesses. It’s for the most part, a 
mass polluting mess. For it’s the modern-day equivalent of a chimney stack on top
of a Dickensian workhouse. Yet people haven’t changed much when it comes to attitudes
towards pollution. That’s despite what An Inconvenient Truth will have you believe.

[⌊Let’s face it – there’s nothing green about certain dirty businesses. It’s for
the most part, a mass polluting mess, the modern-day equivalent of a chimney stack
on top of a Dickensian workhouse⌉⌊Let’s face it – there’s nothing green about certain
dirty businesses. It’s for the most part, a mass polluting mess, the modern-day 
equivalent of a chimney stack on top of a Dickensian workhouse⌉[

Instead of making major changes to fix the [climate catastrophe](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/political-and-social-strategies-to-combat-climate-change/),
human beings simply try to adapt to their increasingly catastrophic circumstances.
While that was fine when the weather changed of its own accord. However, the picture
becomes different when humans hold the fate of the planet in their hands.

We pollute en masse, largely ignorant of the consequences of our actions. But while
the general population is generally at fault, a large amount of blame can be laid
at the feet of big [business not going to be a green](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/algal-bloom-understanding-the-environmental-crisis/)
business.

### **Corporate waste**

Major corporations pollute without much care for wider environmental concerns instead
of protecting and becoming a green business. Oil corporations, in particular, spend
most of their time looking for a new source of income. So that’s also no time wondering
what the wider repercussions of their search could be. And as the [polar icecaps melt](https://www.dw.com/en/polar-ice-sheets-melting-faster-than-ever/a-16432199)
and the residents of eastern countries walk the streets wearing gas masks. All the
while companies shrug and continue on their quest to increase the wealth of their
shareholders.
[⌊image⌉](http://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/wp-1456889606802.jpeg?w=528)

[⌊image⌉⌊image⌉[

According to Naomi Klein, world famous author and political activist, this is the
same as it ever was. However, the machinery of greed has been validated. Especially
by the rise of free market capitalism. Companies which hop from country to country.
Thereby seeking cheaper wages and more resources to exploit. For they are congratulated
for their profit margins rather than castigated for their wasteful attitudes.
[⌊image⌉](http://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/wp-14493649181451.jpeg?w=528)
But none of this means that businesses operating on a smaller scale can’t make a
difference. If the majority of them learned the values of frugality. I mean as well,
they avoided finite resources. For then the world would be in a better shape. [⌊image⌉](http://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/wp-1449148775739.png?w=528)

### **The SME solution**

Instead of moving to a [larger warehouse](https://www.invictamezzaninefloors.co.uk/applications/warehouse-mezzanine-floors)
which takes up more energy. I mean a thriving company could purchase an economical
warehouse mezzanine floor. Then they can also save energy in the process.

Likewise, a wasteful energy plan could be replaced with renewable energy, cutting
bills and cleaning up the environment.

All this can be added to a few more basic [solutions like a recycling](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/01/bridjit-curb-ramp-the-solution-to-driveway-bumps/)
plan and the utilisation of renewable resources. And not only are they effective
ways to reduce your carbon footprint, they’re a perfect way to enjoy positive PR
in your business.

Many companies have thrived from this kind of business model. Profitable enterprises
like [Lush](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jun/12/observer-ethical-awards-2014-winners-lush),
the cosmetic and hygiene manufacturer which has won various awards for ethics in
business, have managed to minimise its carbon footprint and still make plenty of
cash.

It’s a lesson that more businesses could learn from. In both workplace design and
foundational business model, there are plenty of ways to turn your business from
wasteful to resourceful.

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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