As we look to save the Earth for the future, I think it’s important to not only recognize, but support and continue, how larger groups of us people are making efforts to move towards an eco-friendly future. Many of these efforts for the environment are fortunately being done by businesses. 

Businesses in general can move towards sustainability themselves using several ways: reducing waste, limiting pollution, moving towards the use of clean energy, planting trees, reinventing their products to use sustainable materials (/upcycling & green architecture), and encouraging travelling employees to use green vehicles. 

A good example is Patagonia - they are considered the most sustainable clothing brand in the sports & outdoors category. 

• 1% of their revenue goes to environmental organizations, and Patagonia also organizes workshops for consumers to learn how to repair their own clothing.

• Furthermore, Patagonia announced in 2019 their goal to be CO2 neutral by 2025. To do this, they are developing a fully sustainable production cycle - using solar energy & implementing more strict standards for materials.

It’s great that companies like Patagonia are making large efforts to become more eco-friendly, and we should support them, and companies alike. Who specifically though?

A well-known example is Ford Motor Company. 

• Automobile companies are known to cause a heavy amount of pollution, but Ford is working to use sustainable materials for vehicle fabrics. Their Focus & Escape vehicles are recyclable, which I think is a new interesting factor to consider when buying a car.

• Ford also owns the world’s largest green roof, and has won EPA energy star award twice in a row (which they were the first to achieve).

Other well known companies that are working for sustainable practices are - Disney, Starbucks, HP,  Johnson and Johnson, Nike, and Google.

Two other less-known (but super interesting) businesses that would be good for readers to check out are: 

Too Good to Go - an app aiming to help reduce food waste

• You select your favorite store or food, and pick up good food that has been thrown away by grocery stores (because of extreme quality guidelines) for a discount price (more than 50% off!). Check to see if this is available in your area.

TreeClicks - A free browser extension

• After connecting the extension, shop online - TreeClicks uses the generated ad revenue & invests in tree planting projects.

Lastly, as we students study and move into the workforce, we could become part of businesses as well! Here’s a resource for those looking to start an eco-friendly business: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5102-green-business-ideas.html

Thanks for reading my article, and thank you all also for reading and commenting during the last 6 months! I’ve enjoyed sharing about my home region, and hope to share more with you all in the next term. :)

References used:

https://flygrn.com/blog/sustainable-businesses-best-practices

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/9-companies-great-environmental-initiatives/1193165/

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5102-green-business-ideas.html