Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Green Business Certification Scams

By R. Michael Richmond

With the rise of Green popularity, businesses can expect to see the growth of various Internet program offering a Green business certification. The challenge is to avoid the ones that are little more than an obvious money scam. It is far too easy to set up an attractive website and bring in traffic through adwords and traffic redirection. The fact is that Going Green is a process of honest transition rather than on online membership.

Among the potential certification programs, the Green Business League stands out as the most credible program to consider for any business. This program has a national standing offering an honest program of transition. The Green Business League also trains certified Green Consultants providing real support for their members. When considering a Green business certification, compare the Green Business League to a number of websites offering a limp certification based upon merely a listing on their directory.

Fees for the knock-off variety of Green Business certificate range between $300 to about $500 and generally require little more than a promise to observe a posted list of a twenty or so obvious rules. How effective is a request to recycle? These superfluous programs are all too obvious, they offer a very high-priced listing on their directory that does very little for the knowledgeable Green authority.

Another unfortunate ploy is to promise a Green business credential based upon buying carbon credits using a loose calculation of energy used by your company. While it may be a helpful piece of the environmental formula, buying carbon credits are not the equivalent of a proactive Green program. Consider a company that wastes paper in dozens of inappropriate ways, but still claims to be Green based on carbon credits. Neither does making donations to some worthy environmental cause somehow magically transfer Green merit to the functional problems of the business.

Going Green need not be tied to a building, such as found with the LEED program. Most businesses do not own their building. A little research will show that most businesses rent or lease. Those that do own their building may eventually change location or move into larger facilities. The building may be Green, but the practices of the business are what makes a business Green.

The Green Business League has a very practical method of allowing companies to map out their path to Green Business certification. This program provides a month-by-month program that installs new practices in the daily operation. By earning 100 points in this program, certification is reputable and a source of community pride.

Going Green need not be difficult or expensive. Ideas range from installing a few VOC eating plants to choosing recycled plastic bags instead of virgin plastic. Take a look at the humidity level in your office which can foster bacteria and mold growth. How about a filter on the copier to remove microscopic dust from the air? There are hundreds of easy-to-apply programs that will Green up any business. These ideas will also make your office a healthier place to work. If you want your company to Go Green, why buy into empty programs? The Green Business League offers the best choice.

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