Once thought to be a drain on a company’s bank account, businesses – even small ones – across the U.S. are proving that in fact it pays to be green, writes Forbes magazine’s Melanie Lindner.
Sure, investing in eco-friendly infrastructure still requires some substantial deposits upfront, but it also yields serious savings and profits long-term.
“The perception is that going green is for rich guys, but it's actually all about saving money and resources,” says Charlie Szoradi, a longtime architect and CEO of the sustainable building Web site GreenandSave.com.
Take Joe Nelesen. Last summer, the Appleton, Wis., Culver’s restaurant franchise owner and businessman dropped $8,000 on a machine that could convert his eatery’s excess vegetable oil into fuel for his SUV and tractors. Nelesen figures he saves a combined $500 a week in diesel fuel and grease-removal costs at the restaurant.
Or there’s New World Stoneworks owner Ken Jackman, who built a pollution-free heating system for his 10,000 square-foot warehouse by capturing steam generated from his water-jet stone-cutting machine, which uses super-heated H2O to carve custom stone chimneys, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and more.
Jackman said the whole system cost about $8,000, which he recouped in less than a year.
And for businesses that want to condense their carbon footprint but just don’t know how, call your local public utility.
Christine Saunders did, and with some help from her city’s economic development director the Anaheim, Calif., flower shop owner was able to install more energy efficient lighting, air conditioning and a programmable thermostat almost completely on the city’s dime.
Her shop’s new greener profile has bumped up her bottom line roughly $27,000 so far this year.