How do I make a business green?

Question

My best friend owns a small sign shop in north San Diego county and she has asked me to help her shop go green. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Recycling Goods/Items+Green Living:

http://42explore.com/recycle.htm

http://www.green-living.com/

http://earth911.org/

http://www.discsfordogs.org/

http://www.ehow.com/how_9160_recycle-plastic.html

http://www.polymer-reprocessors.co.uk/

http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gather/help.htm

http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/index.html

Water Conservations, Oceans, Etc:

http://www.coolpeoplecare.org/article/2006/09/22/recycling-rain/ (Click on "Inch of rain" for picture info)

http://www.pcrf.org/tensimple.html

http://www.watersavingtips.org/

http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/ (Click on "100 Ways to Save Water" for great info)

http://www.raingardens.org/docs/rainbarrel.pdf

Useful suggestions for getting others together to work toward a brighter/greener future:

Getting friends, neighbors, others that you trust, etc together to vote against environmental destruction and you may be surprised in what a group of people can do, once they have their hearts and minds set on something. Then having all of you spread the word even to people in higher places so that may be able to greatly help out as well (After all most people deep down inside, care about this world and want to help secure a beautiful world for us all and all future generations). Perhaps in spreading the word some one may be found that is high enough (With enough power) that could even help you to create advertisements in the news-paper, create pamphlets to staple on posts, phoning others, through the net, or maybe even advertising on a local TV/Radio station, etc.

Even creating a project/speech may help out by letting others know what your cause truly means to you, and why it should be addressed. I am sure that you will be able to find a lot of people who will be willing to help you out in this and other future events. Just remember to stand up for what you believe in and even if worse comes to worse then you and others can still have the power to prevent other unwanted events from happening in the future since their are tons of people out their who care and will be willing to help in situations like yours as well as many other events/situations. Just keep a record/info of all your contacts so that if anything else comes up, you will be able to have several people by your side in no time at all!! Again, best of luck and I hope that everything goes well.

For hot weather, I would also recommend buying a few large oscillating fans and only turning them on when you are in that area of your house.

You will find that the air will become cool and refreshing within virtually no time at all and that their will be a nice refreshing breeze.

With this in mind there is no need to leave them on in any areas of your house where no one is present and you will find noticeable money savings and it will also aid the environment.

Also, if businesses could have even some solar panels (Seen some great lightweight/highly flexible ones on the discovery channel years ago that are cost efficient, easy to install and collects a healthy amount of sunlight/energy). There is Lots of empty roof and wall space not just for businesses but several other structures and buildings as well that can have these special solar panels) it would help in reducing energy needs as well as placing solar panels in open unused areas (Wind turbines as well). There are also several areas on the globe such as deserts (In areas where they would not get damaged), and so on where tons of solar panels can be placed and several areas with high winds for wind turbines.

There are also many unused and open areas where trees, shrubs, bushes, etc could be planted and it could also be a good idea to introduce points system to cities known as "Green Points" where points are awarded to those who do helpful tasks for the environment and even having more greenery in there back and front yards. Along with schools and businesses, etc having a healthy amount of plants in there rooms, offices, etc. Having more environmentally friendly products, etc and the people who reach and exceed a certain amount of "Green Points" each month will get a reward of some sorts that will make it worth there while.

I have lots of info that I think you will find quite helpful and enlightening:

http://ecowellness.multiply.com/ for excellent inspirational info within my blog to help not only our world and its creatures, but to also open peoples hearts and minds to many amazing wonders that life has to offer. I also have lots of info in my blog to help fuel peoples imaginations to many possibilities that can be found only in the minds eye.

Along with lots of environmental info, amazing environmental pictures and videos (These videos show the beauty of this world and what life can be like if people take the time to appreciate life’s true beauty).

Let us all strive for a greener/brighter future by helping to create a solid foundation for future generations to build upon, so we can hand them a beautiful world, filled with never ending awe and wonders!!

Where peoples differences and uniqueness are accepted, where we all live as one, helping one another so that we can all play our own mysteriously beautiful melodies in the never ending, awe inspiring, song of life :-)

I truly have faith in humanity and believe that someday our lives and the world in which we live will truly be transformed for the better.

Answer 2

It depends on the amount of money you are willing to spend. Change lightbulbs, find alternative ways of heating and cooling the business, if you are willing to spend some money, Go solar, San Diego is a very sunny place and solar power could be used to power the shop through atleast part of the year.

Answer 3

I'm a solar technician so i can help a little. I would contact a local solar company that can install a solar thermal system for hot water. Solar thermal is way cheaper than pv (electric) panels. I don't know your states solar power tax benefits but most can get upwards of of a 50% tax break on your installation.

On a small flower shop, she should need 2 solar panels (if unobstructed south facing roof) and a 80 gallon hot water tank. She could add more panels and a heat exchanger in her hvac duct for solar heat. after taxes, and say she wants solar hot water and heat, she's looking at roughly $13,000 installed. Estimate of course, could be way off depending on many factors. Also have her use as many recyled matierals as she can, and she should recycle herself.

Answer 4

Make the signs out of wood, refuse to work with plastic. Claim that they only use wood from sources that re-plant new trees (since they all do this, I can assure you it is true). Put recycling bins in prominent places in the store for soda cans, paper, and plastic water bottles. Have a Yugo for a delivery vehicle with a WWF sticker on the back. Put a bike rack out front.

Answer 5

Green as was saying the crazy presenter in the movie of " The Fifth element " ??? jej nop.... Business green is a complex topic. We must have cuidadado of not falling down in superficial things. We must look how not only not to damage it: how to strike positively

Answer 6

Any business that is created by the government I would consider a " Federal program" and not a business. Government should be regulated by the private sector but our business should be a free bird.

Answer 7

Use Non Toxic Paints for signage, Use CFL lighting, use wind or solar power to generate power, use bio-diesel for fuel & heating use hybrid vechiles. There are many things that a business can use to cut down their carbon footprint.

Answer 8

Green paint.

Answer 9

I think John Deere green is a good shade.

Answer 10

Sure, start at home. Make her shop more energy efficient first. Light bulbs, heat/air adjustments, etc. usual stuff.