Via Slashdot

the US Department of Energy has announced a competition to develop efficient solid-state lighting technology. The “L Prize” program will allocate as much as $20 million in cash prizes for innovations to replace the common light bulb. Further details are available at the L Prize website. From the press release: “Lighting products meeting the competition requirements would consume just 17% of the energy used by most incandescent lamps in use today. The plan also includes a rigorous evaluation process, including testing of proposed products by independent laboratories (conducted through DOE’s CALiPER test program), as well as field evaluations by DOE and utility partners to assess products in real world conditions. Four major California utilities … have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DOE, agreeing to work cooperatively to promote high-efficiency solid-state lighting technologies.”

Now why more government agencies do not offer these prizes and incentives for such things as alternative energy and alternative fuel is beyond me.

Photo by valeriebb

Although the issue of sustainable business has been around on a large scale for over a decade, it seems we really just started seeing results during the past few years.

This spike in “eco” could have been caused by the approval of new grants for environmental companies, tax write-offs by the government, or even the creation of prizes from hopeful billionaires like Richard Branson. Perhaps those reasons started the fire, but in order to spread, many more reasons need to be evaluated.

What are the real reasons that corporate America is going green?

Money. (Gasp!) That is right. The same reason that businesses get involved with new ventures in the first place is the first reason businesses are going green. Going green can save businesses money (on electricity and utilities) and help them make money (great publicity).

However, this does not make them evil or materialistic. It is actually a good thing that people are taking global warming seriously, even if there is a financial kickback involved. In the capitalistic society in which we live, if there wasn’t money involved, it would take a lot longer to reverse the harm that we’ve already done to the earth. Money is not the root of all evil after all.

Great Publicity. Going green provides companies with great publicity. Take a look in your local paper each day for one week and count the number of articles that have to do with the environment. Chances are that you will see at least 5 or more. Many on the same day.

Next, take your favorite retail store. Whether it is Wal-Mart or Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I would bet money (and I’m not a gambling man) that they had an environmental portal off of their corporate site that tells about all the great things they are doing for the environment.

Everybody’s Doing It. That’s right! Your not the only one to fall victim to peer pressure. Businesses do it to. That is why you see so many imitation and generic products on the shelves. One company creates a hit, and 10 other companies have to follow suit and modify the product just enough so they don’t get sued.

There is nothing to be ashamed about with this either. Usually if the idea was a good one, there is enough to go around. This type of society breeds innovation anyway. It is always smart to (lawfully) borrow and modify tips from others. You may even stumble on your own innovation.

Because You Should. Using green products and promoting green services IS the right thing to do. No matter how much your making (or saving) off of it, no matter what your competitors are doing, protecting the environment is the right thing to do.

If we want the earth to be around long after we are gone, we owe it to future generations to go green and then scream it from the rooftops. Hopefully this will pressure others to do the same.

Green Throughout The Office

Being labeled a green business is more than just being green while working. For instance, it is very simple to provide clearly labeled bins in the break room for recycling plastic bottles, cans, and other common lunch-time wastes. Drop them off yourself on the way home once a week or pay a high school student a little money to pick them up.

Most businesses must provide restroom and cleaning supplies for their employees. Many of the leading cleaning supply brands, like Clorox, have all natural, eco-friendly cleaners that cost the same as their chemical-based products. Why not buy 100% post-consumer recycled toilet paper. After all, it is only used for…well, you know.

Eco-Commute

To encourage greener transportation to and from work, provide closer parking, and other little perks, to employees who carpool. If your business is located in a major metropolitan area, offer public transportation passes to employees to encourage them to take the bus or subway. If it is possible, allow employees to telecommute a few days a week. Give those who ride their bike, discount coupons for local bike shops and stores.

Do Business With The Eco-Responsible

When seeking new business relationships, choose businesses that encourage eco-responsibility and let them know that it is part of the reason you are doing business with them. If you bill or invoice your clients, offer them discounts if they choose to receive invoices electronically instead of on paper.

Be Environmentally Proactive

Every once in a while poke your head up and see what other companies are doing to reduce global warming. For instance, did you know that many energy companies offer businesses free electricity audits on how to save money by reducing energy consumption. Fast Company’s November 2007 issue profiles 50 things that 50 companies did to clean up their business last year. This is a great source for ideas and reflection on your business.

Do Some Good, You’ll Feel Better

All businesses have one primary goal, to make money-and there is nothing wrong with that. It is simply a fact of life and survival of the fittest. However, there comes a point when companies need to look outward instead of internally and give back to the communities and organizations that they believe in. Organize a volunteer day for employees one Saturday every couple months. Cleanup the highway near your building or donate a percentage of the companies earnings to a deserving organization like the NRDC. There are plenty of opportunities in almost every area of this country to get involved. Giving back builds individual character, enforces company team building, and it just feels good.

Scream It From The Rooftops

Advertise the fact that your businesses strives for green practices on your website and in the form of press releases. Those little steps will translate into dollars in an growing, eco-aware world.

Photo by mshades

The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball turned 100 this year and, to help commemorate the occasion, went ‘green’ in the process. The ball now has more 9,500 LED lights and uses about the same amount of energy as 10 toasters. It will be interesting to see more public environmental-wise changes like this in the coming year.