Despite the shrill protests of those who believe that religious tracts are actually science textbooks, climate change is a reality. And the cause of climate change, according to 97% of scientists, is mankind’s activities.
There are many ways in which modern society have harmed the environment. We pollute the air with noxious fumes from our factories. We cut down trees excessively, and we don’t plant new ones to ultimately replace them. We pollute our waters and soil with trash and toxins, and we use and discard the world’s resources at unsustainable levels.
Most people like the idea of helping out in some way by buying green products. As a business owner, you may find yourself liking the idea of selling green products, but that means you may have to drastically make changes to your facilities and procedures.
These changes won’t come cheap. Green product company working capital can be high.
A Green Company
To be green, a product has to have at least one of these characteristics:
- Durable. They don’t have to be replaced as often as regular products. This then reduces the need to obtain raw materials and use energy to keep remaking these products.
- Low-maintenance. You don’t need a lot of effort or new products to take care of it.
- Energy-efficient. It doesn’t consume as much fuel or electricity to run.
- Toxin–free. It should contain no toxic compounds, produce toxic by-products, or produce or contain chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.
- Made from recycled materials. Some products, for example, are made from scrap metal or from wood salvaged from discarded ships and furniture.
- Obtained from local suppliers or from local resources. This reduces the need for the product to travel great distances—saves on the consumption of fuel and CO2 emissions.
- Biodegradable. It breaks down swiftly and safely by natural means.
- Recyclable. It can easily be reused into making something else.
Green Procedures and Facilities
Sometimes a product can be considered green because the way it was made did not harm the environment as much as typical manufacturing procedures and facilities. These may not consume as much power, water, and other resources. When you build your products, you may also try to lessen the harmful impact on the environment by using facilities that don’t leech toxic wastes into the water or soil. You can have facilities built which don’t consume as much power for heating and cooling. You may also use tools that are considered “green” as well. You can also lessen or even eliminate the use of harmful chemicals such as pesticides.
Obtaining Working Capital
One way of increasing the chances of getting green product company working capital is by emphasizing the “green-ness” of your products and processes. Green is now a byword in business, and it is good business to emphasize your company’s efforts in helping the environment. And it makes a lot of sense. After all, you and your children live on Earth too and you should do your part in taking care of it.