The 9 Best Resources for Small Businesses Who Want to Go Green

Environmental consciousness is something that is important to consumers everywhere, and the level of eco-friendliness of a business can often be the deciding factor in choosing one product or service over another.

If you are considering making your business green, the resources below provide the information you need to take steps to make your small business environmentally friendly.

1. Newsweek Green Rankings

Learn from 10 green companies in the U.S. that are doing it right.
This list, updated annually by Newsweek, ranks the world’s largest companies on corporate sustainability and environmental impact. And there is a lot we can learn from these 10 winners.

2. Keep America Beautiful

Keep America Beautiful is a non-profit organization that brings people and businesses together to build and sustain vibrant communities. This website includes a "Recycling Explorer" that explains what can be recycled and how to do it.

3. ENERGY STAR for Business

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect the climate through energy efficiency. Since 1992, EPA has also worked with organizations to help them save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making their buildings and plants more energy efficient. This business-oriented site provides tips and resources for creating and maintaining energy programs in your business.

4.CNET's Light Bulb Buying Guide

Since the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, light bulbs have been changing for the better. But with so many options, it can be difficult to choose the type of bulb that will work best for your business. This site provides an overview of all of the different types of light bulbs, estimated cost and examples of what type of lighting works best for different situations.

5. SBA's Green Business Guide

This Green Business Guide provides an extensive collection of resources to help small businesses become more environmentally conscious. Resources include green marketing tips, green business case studies and best practices, environmental grants and loans, and green commuting tips.

6. EPA Small Business Resources

The EPA created this site specifically to help small businesses become more eco-friendly. Resources include certifications, grants and funding opportunities, socioeconomic programs and compliance assistance.

7. Energy.gov's Better Buildings

The Better Buildings website aims to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings 20% more energy efficient over the next decade. This means saving hundreds of billions of dollars on energy bills, reducing GHG emissions and creating thousands of jobs. Through Better Buildings, public and private sector organizations across the country are working together to share and replicate positive gains in energy efficiency.

8. The Green Power Network

The Green Power Network (GPN) -- operated and maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy -- provides up-to-date information on green power providers, product offerings, consumer protection issues, and policies affecting green power markets.

9. 1to1 Movement

The 1to1 Movement promotes sustainability through education, campaigns and social engagement. Those involved in the organization believe in motivating communities to bring about change through a combination of individuals working towards their goals, and big business and government working down to meet in the middle, called the “Bottom Up, Top Down” approach.