Time Warner Telecom - Business Trends
   
 

It Is Easy To Be Green

More and more companies are adopting policies aimed at conserving energy and cutting down waste. The results appear to be loyal customers, happier employees, lower utility bills and an improved company image.

Several green company examples include:

  • General Electric announced last year the company would invest $1.5 billion – about half of its R&D budget – in clean-tech R&D. A GE executive even testified at a U.S. Senate hearing that the government should impose mandatory emission limits on American companies.
  • Thanks to new regulations about electronic waste in both the U.S. and Europe, cell phone companies like Nokia, Motorola and Palm all have innovative recycling programs and plan to introduce phones that contain less toxic material.
  • Starbucks is increasing the number of recycled items used in its stores including everything from cups to furniture and cabinetry. The company even has a program for recycling coffee grounds.
  • Nike is making its shoes easier to take apart so the pieces can be reprocessed to make comfortable playground surfaces.

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Companies can implement energy-efficient appliances that cut down energy consumption, and therefore spend less on utilities. The additional benefit is that consumers see corporations being friendly to the environment.

Several automotive manufacturers have developed hybrid cars. Customer waiting lists can range anywhere from two weeks to a year, which is extremely unique in the automotive industry.

It appears that consumers want to live an environmentally sound life, which expands beyond recycling bottles, plastic and newspaper. This desire can result in loyal customers to companies that act in the same environmentally responsible way.

Added Perks

Loyal customers are just the start. Employees of environmentally aware companies are proud to work for their employer. Employees can be strong advocates for their company by creating word-of-mouth marketing that can bring in new customers.

In addition, many state and federal business statutes often reward companies with financial incentives when they can prove an environmentally safe operation stance.

The end result of a company being environmentally aware clearly benefits more than just the environment.
 

 

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