In the United States, “72% of customers believe it is important to buy from green companies,” according to a 2011 study. Since increasing environmental awareness has been a long-term trend, that number may already be higher, and will likely continue to rise.
This means that being environmentally responsible is not just about saving money on utility bills or getting tax deductions, but is also a smart investment for the marketing value that comes with being able to tell consumers that they, too, are being environmentally responsible by doing business with your company.
There are a lot of ways to go green, from switching to a renewable power source like solar or wind to installing more efficient appliances and lighting options. Insulating your building properly and upgrading to efficient HVAC systems can also go a long way in driving your energy consumption down and your green image up.
If you’re a business owner or commercial building owner, doing all you can to be green is the smart choice.