Green Business Opportunities for Eco-Entrepreneurs

Published on: 06 November 2018 Last Updated on: 19 July 2019
Eco-Entrepreneurs

Whether or not people are willing to admit it, climate change is here. And it’s affecting how people live in all parts of the world, from rising sea levels that are wiping away micro-islands to protracted droughts that are impacting crop yield. As an entrepreneur, you have the ability to make an even broader impact towards a greener and more sustainable approach to doing things. Here are six green business opportunities for eco-minded entrepreneurs:

Green Printing:

Ink refill businesses don’t exactly sound exciting or profitable, but it’s actually a highly lucrative endeavor, not to mention an eco-friendly one, too. Refilling ink cartridges reduces non-degradable plastic waste that end up in landfills. In fact, close to 400 million empty ink and toner cartridges are discarded each year. That creates tonnes of plastic and chemical waste that seep into and pollute soil and water systems.

Green Finance:

Businesses like Red Maple Financial are helping create a greener future by diverting their funds and resources into local, community-driven projects. You can either invest in or create a similar business model that supports sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture. Aside from financing, green finance is also typically involved in projects that create educational opportunities, support artistic endeavors, and bolster local ecological interest.

Green Retail:

Eco-friendly retail stores, like EcoPlum, are becoming increasingly common as retail consumers become more aware and proactive about their carbon footprint. With each purchase, customers can earn points that they can later exchange for rewards or choose to donate to worthy environmental projects. Every product these green retailers sell also bear a green certification, which means you are also supporting sustainable manufacturing practices.

Green Construction:

Construction is and will always be a booming industry. As the human population increases, construction projects will relatively increase as the need for housing and public facilities emerge. Sustainable construction materials including recycled railroad ties and pilings are paving the way for greener infrastructure. Companies, like Axion, are switching from traditional, non-sustainable materials, like gravel and steel, to recycled plastic.

Green Catering:

The food industry, for decades, has been generating millions of tons of waste, from unsold crops to spoiled meats. Organic catering is a great way to combine your passion for food and the environment. By catering to local parties and business events, you can control and lower food spoilage by using only organic and locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and meats. You can also ensure that poultry is raised and slaughtered humanely by working only with farms that adhere to strict and rigorous practices and standards.

Green Blogging:

If you want to start an eco-friendly business but is short on funding, you can always share your values and inspire change by starting your own blog. As a green blogger, you will be writing about environmental topics, such as reviews of green cleaning products or organic restaurants in your local area. You can start making money through marketing and/or selling these eco-friendly brands to your readers.

Final Thoughts:

Going green is crucial towards saving the planet for future generations. As an entrepreneur, you have more influence and power to affect change in the direction that you want. Keep in mind that these are only six of the many green businesses that you can pursue. In general, any business today can be recreated into an eco-friendly, sustainable model of itself.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Sox Compliance As A New Business

Sox Compliance As A New Business: Where Are The Pitfalls

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002, a United States federal law, fundamentally changed the landscape of corporate governance, financial reporting, and auditing for public companies. For new businesses and startups, particularly those eyeing a future public offering, understanding and complying with SOX is crucial. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, including financial fines and reputational damage. This article aims to shed light on the importance of SOX compliance and how emerging businesses can effectively navigate these regulations. Understanding The Basics Of SOX Compliance SOX was enacted in response to major corporate and accounting scandals, to increase transparency and accountability in corporate governance. For new businesses, the journey toward SOX compliance begins with understanding its key provisions. This includes implementing internal controls over financial reporting, ensuring the accuracy of financial statements, and maintaining proper records. Although SOX primarily applies to publicly traded companies, it sets a benchmark that can benefit all businesses in terms of risk management and operational efficiency. Common Pitfalls For New Businesses In SOX Compliance New businesses, particularly those in the process of rapid growth or planning for an IPO, can easily overlook the intricacies of SOX compliance. One common pitfall is underestimating the scope of internal controls required. SOX mandates a robust framework for internal controls, which can be a complex undertaking for businesses without a dedicated compliance team. Another challenge is keeping up with the evolving nature of SOX regulations and how they apply to different aspects of the business, from IT systems to financial procedures. Key Areas Of Focus For SOX Compliance Area of Focus Description Importance for Compliance Internal Control Systems Develop and maintain robust internal controls over financial reporting Essential for accurate financial disclosures Financial Recordkeeping Keep accurate and detailed financial records Critical for transparency and auditing Management Certification Ensure that CEOs and CFOs certify the accuracy of financial statements Required for legal compliance Auditor Independence Maintain the independence of external auditors Important for unbiased financial reporting Reporting Requirements Adhere to all SOX reporting requirements, including regular audits Mandatory for public companies This table highlights the key areas of focus for businesses aiming to comply with SOX, outlining their importance in the compliance process. Building A Culture Of Compliance For new businesses, integrating a culture of compliance from the outset can be a strategic advantage. This involves not only setting up the necessary processes and systems but also ingraining ethical practices and transparency in the company’s culture. Training employees on the importance of SOX compliance and regularly reviewing and updating compliance strategies are crucial steps in building this culture. Implementing Ongoing Compliance Training And Awareness Programs An important aspect of maintaining SOX compliance for new businesses is the implementation of ongoing training and awareness programs. Compliance is not a one-time effort but a continuous process that requires regular updates and education. Businesses need to ensure that their employees, especially those in finance, legal, and management roles, are regularly trained on SOX requirements and the implications of non-compliance. Awareness programs can help in keeping staff informed about the latest developments in SOX regulations and internal control methodologies. These training sessions can also serve as a platform to reinforce the company's commitment to ethical practices and legal compliance. By investing in education and awareness, businesses can foster a more informed and vigilant workforce, which is crucial in identifying and addressing compliance-related issues proactively. Leveraging Technology and Expertise Utilizing technology solutions like compliance software can significantly ease the burden of SOX compliance. These tools can automate and streamline various aspects of compliance, from tracking financial transactions to generating compliance reports. Additionally, seeking guidance from legal and financial experts who specialize in SOX can provide valuable insights and help avoid common pitfalls. Conclusion For new businesses, especially those planning to enter the public market, SOX compliance is not just a legal obligation but a foundation for building a trustworthy and sustainable business. By understanding the essentials of SOX, focusing on key compliance areas, fostering a culture of compliance, and leveraging technology and expertise, emerging businesses can navigate SOX regulations effectively. This proactive approach not only ensures legal compliance but also sets the stage for long-term operational success and credibility in the market. Additional Reading: 4 Tips To Maintain Your Fleet Deep Dive Into Project Management With Informative Podcasts The ROI Of Proactive Pest Control For Property Management

READ MOREDetails
Workforce Management

Save Time with Workforce Management for Staff Rostering.

As a manager or HR professional, you know how challenging it can be to roster and schedule staff across different locations and groups. Creating shift patterns shifts, like ad-hoc and both availability as well as non-availability shifts for your employees, can take up a lot of time and resources. However, with the help of workforce management solutions, you can streamline this process and save yourself a lot of hassle. In this informative guide, we'll explore the various factors you need to consider while rostering, as well as scheduling staff and how a workforce management solution can be considered a big help. Considerations To Be Made While Optimizing Electronic Rostering Type of shifts One of the initial things you should consider when using Electronic Rostering is the kind of shift pattern one desires to use. Do you wish your staff to operate for regular hours, or are you a fan of a cyclical pattern? After deciding your desired shift pattern, start working on rostering your employees. This includes assigning particular shifts to every team member. As a leader, you might also optimize the workforce management solution for scheduling holiday periods and breaks. With a solution as efficient as workforce management, you will be able to easily manage these changes, as the software provides real-time updates to everyone's schedule. Determining the location and group strength Another factor to consider when rostering along with scheduling staff is the group size and location. For example, if your business operates across multiple locations, you need to make sure that each location has the right number of staff scheduled to work. You also need to factor in availability-non-availability shifts, which means taking into account staff leave, sick days, and other absences. Workforce management infrastructures like the rostering module by Nextra provide a great way to create availability, shifts, along with non-availability for employees at various designated locations and groups. Perks Of Working With A Workforce Management Solution Offers the flexibility to make swift changes One of the various advantages of applying this solution is the ability to make changes quickly. Rather than making changes manually or contacting each employee individually, you can use the software to update staff schedules in real time. This means that if someone is sick or needs to take an unexpected day off, you can quickly adjust their schedule and ensure that there are still enough staff available to cover their shift. This not only saves you time but also reduces the likelihood of errors and ensures that your business runs smoothly. Related: Corporate Hackathon: Benefits To The Employees Tracks employee attendance efficiently Another advantage of using a workforce management solution is that you can track and monitor employee time and attendance. This includes employee work hours, breaks, overtime, and other important data. With this information, you can analyze employee performance, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions. Also, with the integration of payroll systems, timesheets, and other financial systems, managers can easily process payroll as well as other related financial functions. Conclusion Rostering and assigning work to staff can be a challenging task for any manager or HR professional. However, with the help of such solutions, you can streamline this process and save time. By optimizing a workforce management solution, it is very easy to create shift patterns, manage availability as well as non-availability shifts, track employee time and attendance, and quickly manage changes.  Nextra's efficient rostering module provides an efficient, easy-to-use solution for rostering your staff and scheduling work, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of your business. With workforce management and efficiency solutions, you can ensure that your business runs smoothly and that your staff is happy and productive. Read Also: Commonly Misunderstood Facts About The Employee Retention Tax Credit The Role of Communication in Employee Retainment How to Keep Remote Employees Productive in 2022

READ MOREDetails
Plastic Business Cards

Why Gift Your Customers Plastic Business Cards?

Giving gift cards is the tried and tested formula for keeping customers happy. You can give a gift and plastic business cards to attract new customers, increase brand awareness and improve sales. To make a lasting impression, you should consider giving away plastic gift cards. These cards are not just visually stunning, but they are also more durable as compared to the traditional low-quality paper cards. You will make a good impression on your customers by giving them a plastic gift card. Here are seven reasons you should consider giving plastic gift cards instead of paper gift cards to your customers. Reasons To Gift Plastic Business Cards To Your Customers   There are several reasons why you must gift plastic business cards to your customers are as follows:- 1. Appealing Design The design of a card can say a lot of things about your business. Plastic cards are high-quality cards that will have a positive impact on your customers. These cards come in a wide variety of colors, making them visually appealing. The card will make your business appear special and better than the rest. It will also make your prospective customers more inclined to keep the card instead of throwing it away in the dustbin. 2. Effective Branding Tool You can use the plastic gift card as a branding tool. Customers can associate the card with quality. By giving plastic business cards, you will stand apart from other businesses. The cards will communicate to the customers that you value them. The decision to be a bit different when distributing gift cards will reverberate positively on prospective customers. 3. Durable Material Plastic business cards are more durable and resilient. The card can withstand getting wet, being folded or stepped on, and damaged in many other ways. This increased durability of the card makes the extra cost worth it. In fact, you can save money with plastic business gift cards. All the cards will remain in pristine condition long after being printed. 4. Modern Design Plastic business gift cards look more modern as compared to traditional paper cards. The cards will make your company look upscale and innovative. This will also have a pleasant effect on your customers who will be impressed by your commitment to quality. You can also incorporate advanced features in a plastic business gift card. A chip can be inserted in the plastic card. The chip allows customers to take details from the card to any NFC device by being near it. This results in added convenience for your customers. The cards can be programmed using an app. The information can also be changed easily allowing you to reuse the same card for different purposes. 5. Personality and Flair Plastic cards can add a touch of personality and style to the cards. You can add certain unique effects to the card that are not possible with traditional paper cards. Take the card design to the next level by adding a photo on the card. The card can serve as a perfect branding tool. You can also use numbering to keep track of the gift cards. The card can have increased security with signature panels at the back. In addition, barcodes and magnetic strips can be added to store important information. 6. Design Quality While you can incorporate the same design in the traditional paper card, the quality is superior in plastic gift cards. The digitized photos appear much clearer and sharper on plastic cards. The premium look and feel of the card will create a positive impression about your business. Plastic cards appear more professional. Customers can keep the card with them for a long time. They are small and can easily fit inside a wallet. You can create the best impression every time you hand out a plastic card with an impressive design. 7. Customized Cards Plastic cards can be customized to your exact specifications. There are certain limitations to traditional paper cards. You don’t have full color and texture options with paper cards. With a plastic card, you can have lots of opportunities to create the perfect impression on your customers. The design and feel of a business card can have a positive impression on your customers. A high-quality business card shows that the business is committed to customer satisfaction. Plastic business gift cards will show that you are willing to go the extra mile to keep customers happy. Read Also: 5 Best Types Of Paper To Use For Business Cards Advance Copier: Printing Quality Business Cards On Your Own Computer Top 8 Benefits Of Professional Business Cards

READ MOREDetails