Small Businesses Go Green

 

Whether it's the feel good factor or consideration of the bottom line, going green is a growing business trend. Nearly half (47%) of the small business owners responding to a Wells Fargo/Gallup survey said they take action to show their customers they are environmentally friendly. In addition, 89% of the respondents consider it very important or somewhat important for America's small businesses to actively support efforts to protect and improve the environment.

 

"Collectively, small businesses can have a trem-endous impact on broad societal issues, which is clearly the case regarding environmental preservation," says Giovanni Coratolo, executive director of the Chamber's Council on Small Business.

 

Two-thirds (66%) of the survey respondents said they would pay more to buy environmentally friendly products and services. Of those, 48% said they would pay 5% more for such goods and services. Another 34% would pay 10% more, while 18% would pay more than 10%. However, about one-half (49%) said they did not think their customers would pay more for environmentally friendly products.

 

Some 60% of the respondents said that funding for research and development of alternative energy sources is the most important anti-global warming initiative. Efforts to promote recycling and finding safer ways to dispose of garbage and hazardous waste were also considered top priorities.