Sustainable business models are a rather new phenomenon - there aren’t exactly a slew of entrepreneurs out there concerned with a triple bottom line. So although there are many places you could turn to find a checklist for greening your business, you probably won’t find one that’s an exact fit for your company. The best solution is to define for yourself what it means to be a sustainable business, and make your own checklist of actions and standards to hold yourself to.

Your green checklist will be something that’s unique to your business and industry. Once you have a working list of actions you will take to green your business, green standards for every purchase or decision, and steps you can take to be more sustainable, you’ll have a road map towards a green future.

Start your list by thinking about what it means for your business to be green, which largely depends on your industry and operations. Coming up with a mission statement defining what sustainability means for your business will give you a good jumping off point for your list. Next, think about taking actions in the following areas: compliance with environmental laws and regulations, waste reduction, resource conservation, pollution prevention, and environmental advocacy.

You may want to divide your list into these sections, or into sections based on what you can reasonably accomplish in a given time period, with more sustainable actions to accomplish later on as your level of commitment deepens and you have the resources to try new things. Structure your list in a way that makes sense for your business: as a to-do list, a step-by-step plan for reaching your goals, or as a checklist of questions to ask yourself before making major purchases or decisions. Every item in your list should refer back to your definition of a sustainable business, and help you work towards that goal.

So, for the graphic & web design studio that I am planning to start, I may define being sustainable as not only reducing waste and resource usage in my office, but as communicating about sustainability through my work, and spreading the message through the media that I create and the people I work with. My ultimate goal as a designer is not just to change the way I do business, but to inspire change in others through my work. My definition of being a sustainable business has a lot to do with the type of work that I do. As a communicator, I am in a unique position to create messages that speak to people, spread ideas, and change minds. So my business will focus not only on the usual green business principles, but also on working with clients and vendors with a similar vision, so that together we can create change.

My checklist of actions may include: conserving energy in my home office, hosting my company web site and clients’ sites that I design with a sustainable web hosting company, using recycled or tree-free paper in the office and for printed projects, finding green vendors to work with, seeking like-minded green clients, recycling or disposing of any hazardous materials and electronics sustainably, reducing my use of resources like paper and water, composting all organic materials and food waste, using green cleaning products in the office, offsetting my business travel with carbon offsets, replacing office furniture and equipment with greener options, seeking projects that will allow me to communicate green ideas to the public, and developing a workflow that incorporates sustainable practices. The list can be as long and detailed as you like, but the idea is to make it unique to your business and your goals.

Your list will be a living document, a constant work in progress, and something you use for every business decision, so it’s important that it fits your company well. Once you have a checklist in place, you may want to compare it to checklists prepared by the various green certification agencies. Having your own green checklist in place is one way to get you one step closer to certification, if you choose to go that route. Whether you choose to certify your business as green or not, a customized sustainability checklist will not only show your customers and clients how committed you are to the environment, but it will define your path towards a truly green business. Be sure to share your list and use it as a marketing tool - a well-defined commitment to sustainability can certainly set you apart from the competition.

This article is the twelfth in a series called Green Dreams following my journey starting a green design business. You can learn along with me: read the series introduction, see some green business resources, get inspired, learn how to write a business plan, find out how to name your business, learn why sustainability should be a part of your planning from the beginning, avoid commuting by working from home, build green business practices into your daily workflow, work towards a paperless office, get certified green, and stock your green office! Stay tuned for more every other week on starting a green business!

Related Posts on Ecopreneurst:

• 10 Business Practices that Reduce Your Footprint
• Desperately Seeking Certification
• Times They Are a Changing: Green Marketing Tips

Photo credit: I took this picture on a recent trip to MacKerricher State Park.

For the first book on our Top 5 Must-Have DIY Crochet Tomes list, most knitters will recognize Debbie Stoller as the editor-in-chief of Bust Magazine and the writer of all three Stitch ‘N Bitch books. Crafters were both surprised and delighted when she released Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker in 2006.

Similar to her first Stitch ‘N Bitch book about knitting, The Happy Hooker is an introduction to the history and process of crochet as well as a kick-ass pattern book. Whether you are an experienced knitter or new to fiber crafts all together, The Happy Hooker is the perfect first crochet book for everyone.

Crochet shares some similarities with knitting. One major likeness is that the more you know, the more likely you are to make a mistake. No crocheters’ bookshelf would be complete without The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask by Edie Eckman.

With line illustration, charts, details on tools, specific techniques, standard crochet abbreviations, common crochet terms and phrases, standard body measurements and sizing, suggested sizes for accessories and household items, and yarn care symbols; this is the only book you will need when your loops and hooks don’t look right.

Answers to detailed questions about all aspects of crochet is the feature element of the book, with chapters on gauge, circles, edges, and finishing. Thanks to Edie’s support, you will feel more confident to progress into more detailed crochet patterns and projects.

Still confused about crochet? Love to work on a small scale? Then the Japanese crochet style of amigurumi, the art of crocheting small stuff animals and anthropomorphic creatures, is for you! It used to be that you had to try and translate patterns from Asian countries to take part in this unspeakably cute craft, but not anymore.

The popularity of amigurumi is growing in leaps and bounds, with new books and websites coming out every few months. Chronicle Books’ Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Amigurumi! is a must-have thanks to its classic, easy-to-follow patterns and colorful photographs. Both a great introduction and indispensable reference for the art of amigurumi, Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Amigurumi! deserves a place on your bookshelf.

Knitting is often the first choice for crafters when it comes to creating fashionable clothing, but Teva Durham (pattern designer) and Adrian Buckmaster (photographer)’s book Loop-d-Loop Crochet: More than 25 Novel Designs for Crocheters (and Knitters Taking Up the Hook) will make any fiber fan think twice.

By her own admission, Teva Durham used to be a ‘knit snob.’ No longer. Now, the influential needlecraft guru has become a ‘two-timer,’ bringing the same ingenuity, innovative eye, and solid fashion sense that she’s always exhibited in her knitting design to the world of crochet,” says the book’s publisher. Loop-d-Loop Crochet has over 25 different patterns for women, kids and your home.

If the idea of old-school crocheting brings to mind your grandma’s afghans and pot holders, then Vintage Crochet: 30 Gorgeous Designs for Home, Garden, Fashion, Gifts belongs on your bookshelf. Should you find yourself in second-hand stores more often than major malls, this book is a good one for you as well.

Author Susan Cropper, originally from New York City, runs one of the top rated yarn shops in London called (ironically) Loop. Drawing on her exeperience with Loop, as well as an art director and designer for magazines, Susan also enlisted the help of international crochet artists like Bee Clinch, Alicia Paulson and Kristeen Griffin-Grimes to create patterns for the book.

Bonus! As a minorly morbid crafter, I couldn’t resist adding Christen Haden’s upcoming Creepy Cute Crochet book to the end of our list. Following along the style of amigurumi, Christen’s creations could “eat your typical amigurumi for breakfast.” Needless to say, you won’t be finding any fluffy bunnies or smiling pandas in this pattern book.

You probably won’t recognize the name Christen Haden, but you might have heard of her uber-popular NeedleNoodles site and Etsy store. Some of her previous creations and current online patterns available include donuts, sushi, a ninja, a zombie, ice cream, jellyfish, candy, brain slugs, dim sum, baby bibs, Christmas characters, a tea set … and still more! Which exact patterns will be in her June 2008 book have not been posted, but with a resume like that, I’ve already got a copy reserved.

Country and Price per US gallon:

Norway $ 8.67
Netherlands $ 8.52
Belgium $ 8.36
Germany $ 8.06
United Kingdom $ 7.91
Italy $ 7.68
France $ 7.46
Spain $ 7.34
Poland $ 6.55
Japan $ 5.19
Brazil** $ 4.14
United States $ 3.10
Russia $ 3.03
Kazakhstan $ 2.73
Mexico* $ 2.46
China $ 2.27
Nigeria $ 2.23
Saudi Arabia $ 0.45
Iran $ 0.42
Venezuela* $ 0.11

* All prices from November 2007, except Mexico and Venezuela in August 2007
** Brazil is 25% ethanol, so price adjusted downward to be comparable

What I would like to see next is a comparison of public transportation, renewable energy policy, and vehicle efficiency pasted alongside this chart. Think there would be any obvious correlations?

via DieselGeek

Photo Credit