Green Companies

Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. These are the two main concepts that define what green companies are all about. Customers increasingly expect that companies who they spend their money on carry out their business without damaging the planet and exploiting people in poor countries. They also expect them to give back to the community. Green companies take different routes of action, depending on the nature of their business. For instance, a company working in the automotive sector will try to develop vehicles that produce fewer emissions and with more fuel efficiency. In some cases they also try to incorporate recycled materials into the design of the car.

Cell phone companies are also taking steps to become greener by implementing consistent recycling programs since their products contain chemicals and metals that are very poisonous to the environment. Companies that make household products also have a strong presence in the green company sector. They often implement recycling programs, use natural ingredients and do not test their products on animals.

How do we know whether a company is green or not? There are several certification programs out there, which may cause confusion since standards vary. In 2010 the Ecolabel Index produced a report called Global Ecolabel Monitor 2010 in collaboration with the World Resources Institute. The report included the results of a survey of 340 eco-labels from 42 countries carried out between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.

Critics say the green claims made by some companies can be exaggerated or misleading. It is true that many are jumping on the green wagon for profit reasons only. But there’s no doubt that green marketing is a trend that will only grow. As standards become more regulated, and with the internet as a tool to check information and company’s green credentials, consumers with a green conscience will be able to make more informed choices.