How to Take a Bite Out Of Your Carbon Footprint

Being green is hot, hot, hot. But for some businesses, it's more than something trendy. They've found that being environmentally aware has not only made them better, it also helped their bottom lines. Here are 12 reasons to lower your carbon footprint and how to do it right.

Do an Honest Assessment
Eco-pioneer Danny Seo advises businesses to "dig deep into their DNA and figure out strategic and long-lasting solutions that cut waste, save money and save resources. That's when it counts." That means looking at every aspect of how you do business.

Kim Carlson, author of Taking Your Business Green (Adams Media), recommends looking at the facility, operations, and the product or service.

"Realize that greening is a process of continuous improvement, a journey rather than a destination for business," Carlson says. "Get as many legitimate green third-party certifications as possible from organizations like Green Seal or Scientific Certification Systems to build green credibility."

Increase Awareness Within the Company
Better World Books provides parking and pumps for those who want to bicycle to work. It also has a green team, whose mission is to figure out ways for the company to improve its green record. Thanks to the team, the business, which sells used books, spent $75,000 on initiatives like green cleaning products and paying the green team for their time but realized $150,000 in savings. Because of this success, a full-time green position has been created.

Start Small
One of the easiest ways to go green is to cut your energy bill. It could be as simple as switching to energy efficient light bulbs, says Seo, who preaches the green lifestyle in books and on media outlets like CBS, HGTV and Country Home magazine. His latest partnership: a line of eco-friendly mattresses with Simmons for J.C. Penney (JCP).