In London, KiosKiosk is a simple, powerful, powerfully fun idea: Create an attractive temporary space for upcoming (but ready to sell) businesses to be at, in a high traffic area. At no cost.

Backed by the London Sustainable Development Commission, businesses just need to submit a brief form describing what they’d like to use the kiosk for, when, and why they are a good idea for the KiosKiosk and vice versa.

While the KiosKiosk is focused on creative/design/arts/music businesses, such an idea could, and should be replicated for green startups, many of which, like any small company, may not have the funds or credit history to get a full fledged, full time space. Since there is no rent to pay, this could also be used by companies to create, say, memorable experiences and activities out of the space, of lasting promotional value and social media worthy mentions, growing their online business, for example.

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Innovest, an investment research firm, launched the study in order to better understand the effect of sustainability upon potential business investment. What they found was a much more substantial difference than most had predicted. In fact, the report found that, "In the longer term, the out-performance potential will become even greater as the capital markets become more fully sensitized to the financial and competitive consequences of environmental and climate change considerations”.

While this may be great news for some, it does not mean happy days for all. The report noted that the ’strong and postive’ correlation between a business’s performance and its sustainability was not necessarily true for every sector of business.

Further, the report found that potential investors are having difficulties figuring out which companies are truly sustainable. Because of inadequate reporting methods, investors have to do a substantial amount of leg work to figure out which companies have a comprehensive sustainability program in place, and this may be a deterrent in future investing. As the report notes, disclosure information is notoriously unreliable, inconsistently reported across companies and over time, and generally not validated by independent third parties… Emissions data alone provides less than 25 percent of the information a sophisticated investor requires."

The folks at Innovest think that the method of disclosure is a pretty big obstacle for investors looking for a truly green company. As founder Matthew Kieman puts it, "It is increasingly critical that performance-driven investors move beyond simply pressing for greater company disclosure," he said. "We are now seeing them begin to demand the sorts of investment tools, research and products they need to turn mere information into superior investment decisions and performance." Superior investment decisions, indeed! As business owners and conscious citizens, we really need to take measure that would ensure that investors looking to put money into a green company had the resources to make informed decisions. Not only will it be good for green minded investors, it will bonly serve to increase the green business edge.

Pull the Plug — Is your microwave being used 24/7? No? Then why is it plugged in? While idle appliances don’t take up a ton of energy, think about all the small lights that shine, blink or flash throughout your office. Each of those displays requires energy to light up. Further, even appliances without lights or displays can consume energy when they are not turned on. Stand-by appliances can add a constant 50-watt drain to your power supply.

Your computer is a big contributor to the problem of wasted energy. Did you know that when your computer is completely idle, even if your monitor is off, it still is probably pulling about 100 watts from the wall.

Stop the Leak — You may not think it considerable, but the amount of water wasted from leaky faucets and other sources really adds up. If you notice a faucet dripping, or a spigot outside that doesn’t quite close, fix it! One drop wasted per second wastes 2,642 gallons per year. Now, that is not only bad for the environment; it is bad for you bottom line!

Make it a Double — While many of us may not think to take the time to change out printer setting, printing on both sides of the paper reduces your paper usage by … 50%! Halving you paper consumption is a great way to make a huge difference in your workplace’s environmental impact. 50% is a significant decrease and the only you have to do is flip the pages!

Cut the Chlorine — When buying paper products, most companies go for the cheapest stuff their suppliers have to offer. I mean, they are just napkins, right? Wrong! Paper products processed with chlorine are more harmful to the environment than those that are not. In fact, chlorine-free paper production uses 20-25 times less water. Moreover, the chlorine used in paper production can create dioxins that are poisonous to fish and can pollute water sources.

If your company is not ready to take the plunge into absolute greenness, you can do these five, simple things, and will be making big steps in the right direction! Hopefully, the energy, water and waste you conserve will help motivate you to do even more to become a sustainable business!

In business, even the most effective environmental program can be held back by employees who "don’t buy into it," or who refuse to put forth the effort required to participate. While educating current employees about the measures they will have to take to help implement the program exists as step one to making the greening of a business successful, step two is just as important. When looking for new employees, it is important that businesses today find people whose eco-values align with that of the company. It is for this reason that I want to outline a few ways to attract and recognize employees who exude the eco-potential necessary to make the greening of a business as beneficial as possible.

Advertise It: Employers usually have no problem identifying the characteristics of the people they are looking to employee. Ads will usually tout attributes like "self-motivated," "independent worker," and "reliable" … so why not "eco-conscious," "green-minded," and "earth-friendly?" If your company is looking to attract people with sustainability on the brain, go straight to the source: the job posting! Not only will a unique and honest post attract the right crowd, but it will also make your business stand out in a sea of potential employers.

Ask the Right Questions: Once a potential hire has made it to the interview process, the employer usually has a pretty good idea about the applicant’s basics: their background, education and similar qualities. It is at this point where it becomes very important to make sure you are asking applicants the questions that tell you the most about who they really are. While, "Where do you see yourself in five years?’" is a pretty straightforward question, it may not tell you enough about their eco-potential. A good way to get a feel for the greenness of a person is to ask questions about their personal life such as, "Do you recycle at home?" Another good question to ask is, "What do you do in your life outside the work place to contribute to environmental sustainability?" The depth of their answer will give you good insight into whether or not the applicant would be a positive addition to the greening of your business.

Make Your Standards Known: Instead of interviewing and training a potential employee only to find that their value set does not match well with that of the company, make your expectations known from the get-go. Although I have yet to see it, there might come a time when you find a candidate for a position who is resistant to the idea of working for a green company or, even worse, is reluctant to participate in the greening process. In place of hiring them with the hopes of changing their paradigm, it is beneficial to both parties involved that the discrepancy in mind-set be known early in the process, as to avoid anyone wasting time or energy. Further, make sure that potential candidates are clear about what is expected of them in terms of the sustainability program. If a potential hire is uncomfortable drinking water from a fountain, as opposed to drinking bottled water, then there might be a company where they would be a better fit.

Finally, hiring green-minded employees should really be every company’s dream. Not only can they be valuable resources when it comes to the development and implementation of sustainability programs, but they can also act as catalysts for enthusiasm about the project. Just as a stubborn employee can sink any good sustainability program, an eco-conscious employee can make it that much better.

Are you an Eco-Minded Employee looking for a job? Here a some good places to find work:

Eco-Employ- a site with a searchable database of green jobs, resume-tips and career advice. Bonus- it is updated frequently!

Green Jobs- a great resource for people looking to work in the alternative energy sector.

Sustainable Business- In the "Green Dream Job" section of the site, you can find a database of green jobs that is searchable by catagory, skill level and region — very comprehensive!

Given that environmental issues top the list of concerns for generation Y, it makes sense that businesses should consider going green as a way to become more attractive to potential employees. According to the Harris poll, "33 percent of Americans would be more inclined to work for a green company compared to an organization that does not make conscious efforts to promote socially and environmentally friendly practices."

Aside from drawing in new employees, going green can also breed company loyalty. Today’s employee is looking to contribute to something they can be proud of, and to be a part of a company that they can feel good about. Incorporating environmental sustainability into the workplace is not only a good way to bring in new employees, but an excellent way to keep them!

New hires are not the only employees looking for more eco-awareness in the workplace. According to a poll by Mortgage Lenders Network USA (MLN), 94 percent of employed Americans prefer to work in a building that is designed to be energy efficient and ecologically sound.

Because job satisfaction greatly affects productivity, businesses tend to take into consideration the desires of their employees. Oftentimes, it takes only one major business implementing a new green technology to get many others to fall into line. Because no one likes to fall behind in the world of business, ‘keepin up with the joneses’ may actually work in the Earth’s favor on this one.

The fact the green building has experienced a growth in popularity is reflected in the 2006 figures from the U.S. Green Building Council (GBC). The GBC has seen its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications for newly constructed green buildings jump in the past 3 years by 150 percent, from 167 to 417. If this trend continues, more and more business will feel the pressure to build in a more eco-friendly fashion.

The increase of eco-minded employees can also be seen to benefit consumers. By using environmental sustainability to gain an edge in employment appeal, companies have the obligation to live up to their claims. While customers may not always know what goes on behind the scenes, employees see it first-hand. Employees hired under the pretense of working in for an eco-friendly company will not take kindly to waste and overconsumption. Moreover, eco-employees can be seen as a good resource for new ideas about ways to make their workplace more sustainable.

While the reasons to be a greener business are nearly innumerable, companies can now add ’strengthening the employment base’ to the list. Because Americans are looking to work for greener companies and in greener work environments, the motivations for businesses to become more environmentally conscious are now imperative to the bottom line.

As an Eco-entrepreneur, I often find myself wishing I had more control over my surroundings. From despising the carry-out containers used by a favorite restaurant, to wishing the local baker would stop double-bagging the bread, there are certain areas of day-to-day life that we just have to deal with. Or do we?

The reality of the situation is that there are steps you can take to urge your favorite businesses to go green. Now, trying to tell any business ‘what to do’ can be a tricky thing. Owners and managers have worked very hard to establish their business and suggestions, when not correctly framed, can come across as unsolicited advice or criticism.

On the flip side, it is not impossible to make constructive suggestions to your favorite business. When approached with the right attitude, recommendations from customers can be a great tool to any business. After all, the customer is (almost) always right!

While a consumer can always approach a manager at their favorite business and attempt to explain why it is absolutely necessary to use only chlorine-free toilet paper, more than likely the message will fall on the wrong ears, or get lost in translation altogether. There are ways to go about greening your favorite business that will yield much more success than simply trying to lecture your way to change.

Make a Suggestion- Because yakking at the on-duty manager may not get your message to the person who needs to hear it, suggestion cards are a good way urge your favorite business to employ greener business practices. Currently, there exist places where you can find pre-made suggestion cards aimed at greening businesses. These are simple, print-and-place style cards that explain why you want greener business, and how the establishment can go about becoming more eco-friendly. If pre-made is not your style, feel free to draft your own suggestion cards, and do not hesitate to be creative! Often times, a personal approach can be very effective.

Leave It to the Pros- If you have exhausted the possibility of achieving change through the use of the suggestions cards, you can always call on a professional to help you spread your message. The people over at Thimmakka.org are true professionals who have experience influencing businesses like restaurants and bars to go green. Also, the have a special focus on restaurants that serve various types of ethnic cuisine. Thimmakka is a group dedicated to environmental resource education. Although they concentrate mainly on the Bay area, they are able to work their magic all over the country! Oh yeah, did I mention most of their services are free?

Write it Down- Another good way to reach your intended target is by going through a round-about channel of communication. Letters to the Editor of a local newspaper can serve as a great platform from which to spread your message. While you might want to generalize you message to include a call to action from many local businesses, it never hurts to make a special request for your favorite establishment to become more sustainable. Often times, this will put a spotlight on that specific business, which can act as the catalyst for the action you have been pushing for. Also, a business might be grateful for this exposure, and for a chance to make a very public positive change. While there may be no such thing as bad press, good press is absolutely priceless.

Make a Statement- A good friend of mine recently told me about a very creative way he urged his local ice cream joint to stop using Styrofoam bowls in their shop. This particular friend of mine works full-time as a daycare and after-school care provider. One day, he had his class make a HUGE card that explained all the reasons the kids wanted the ice-cream shop to go green. After the card was completed, the class took a field trip down to the shop to hand deliver their sentiment to the owner. Long story short, the ice cream shop hasn’t used Styrofoam since. While not everyone has access to a group of children to help make giant cards, a similar action can be equally effective. Like I said before, be creative!

Do the Math- If creativity has failed in producing the change you whish to see, you can approach the situation more pragmatically. If the ‘bottom line’ is what matters to most business people, try and speak their language. If you would like to see more sustainable materials being used, ask one of the managers who supplies the business with the products in question. After that, go to manufactures website and figure out how much they are paying for that particular product. If you can, find a supplier with an alternative, more sustainable product and then compare the prices. If you present these facts when speaking with an owner or manager, it can make your requests seem more manageable and your goals more achievable. The last thing you want to do is to overwhelm the people you are trying to influence.

No matter what method you chose when trying to urge your favorite business to go green, the number one rule is to be persistent. While your message might not reach the right people on the first try, the second, third or fifth time might be the charm. Also, combining different methods is a good way to increase the chances of your message falling on the ears of someone who has the power to make the changes you are aiming for. Above all else, be patient and understanding- major changes can take a while. Also, if you see positive changes occurring, do not forget to follow up with the business to let them know how much you appreciate their responsiveness and their commitment to the environment.

Image source: The Green Restaurant Association

The Sustainability Purchasing Network in Vancouver, BC, has been working to help businesses and organizations make better decisions when buying these every day items since 2005. Just last November they released the Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing.

This free, downloadable, 62-page guide clearly lays out the benefits for sustainable buying decisions for goods and services. The guide uses a number of case studies and success stories of how businesses that made small changes actually made a big difference in cost savings for the company. For example:

When the Swedish Medical Centre in Seattle implemented their Supply Chain Management System, they focused on recyclability and reusability. Within a few years, the Centre had reduced their annual supply expenses from 23% to 17.2% of net revenues – for a $16 million USD annual saving.

Falconbridge Limited improved the light quality and energy use of the lighting system at its Primary Aluminum smelter in New Madrid, Missouri. Falconbridge installed high-efficiency lights and fixtures and reconfigured the lighting system, so that it was need-driven. Not only did the plant’s light quality improve, enhancing the workers’ environment, the plant also estimates annual savings of approximately $100,000 USD each year in energy and equipment costs.

The guide also includes a specific how-to section with tips and suggestions on where to start, and how to minimize the costs of making the switch to environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.

It's logical to think of purchasing decisions, especially if the company's mission statement or vision, deals with environmentally or socially responsible business practices. Utlimately, it makes sense for the bottom line. Evaluating sustainability purchasing should be considered for both capital and operating expenditures and should also involve the decsision to not buy - or simply, deciding when to reduce consumption or when a service or product is not necessary.

Download the Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing.

Via GreenBiz; Sustainability Purchasing Network

But it’s time for the U.S. to kick its fossil fuel addiction, says Haggard. He’s working with local resident and actor Charles Napier (from Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, Austin Powers, among others) to create a “sensible” green energy project. Haggard hasn’t lived in Oildale for three decades, but is considering buying a second home in order to be involved in the business. His friend Willie Nelson has famously championed alternative fuels, but no word yet on the type of green business Haggard is considering.

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