Green Business Women

When you think about pollution, you probably picture the carbon emissions spewing from cars and factories to create the smog that notoriously blankets major urban centers. Or you might call to mind the run-off from mining operations or the chemical spray of crop dusters. But there are many forms of pollution, and e-waste has been identified as one of the fastest rising components of solid waste in landfills. You might wonder how this fits in with pollution; after all, the plastic and glass that make up electronics will just sit there forever, right? Although it will take these items quite a while to decompose, the problem is that they are filled with hazardous materials that may seep out much sooner, from metallic elements like lead, mercury, and chromium to toxic chemical flame retardants. So you can see how dumping your old computers in a field somewhere could pose a serious problem.

When responsible businesses choose to recycle these used electronics, there are many benefits to both the earth and the company itself. The most obvious boon is that the hazardous materials contained within computers will not seep into the air, the soil, and the supply of clean water. The toxic chemicals they contain can be safely removed and either recycled for future usage or properly disposed of. In addition, there are many materials commonly found in computers that are eminently reusable, including natural resources like gold, silver, and copper, as well as some plastics. When these parts are recycled and reused, it means that less waste is clogging up our landfills and that new manufacturing (with its attendant pollution and waste) is less necessary.

Of course, there are other good reasons to recycle old computers, as well, especially if they are in working order. The company that wisely disposes of their equipment through resale or donation could avoid any costs associated with the recycling process. While many trash companies will charge for massive amounts of e-waste recycling (resulting from a complete system overhaul for a large office facility, for example), you might actually be able to make some money here rather than spending it. You may opt to sell your equipment to employees at a steeply discounted rate as a way to remove it from the premises without having to pay for pickup and disposal. Your staff will get a great deal on computer equipment that was likely top notch just a couple of years ago (and potentially better than what they have at home) and your company coffers will see a credit instead of a debit.

Another option is to donate them to a charitable organization or a public school. This way, your old computers can find a new home, help some people in need, and virtually enjoy a second life away from the landfill. As a bonus, your company can claim the donation as a tax write-off, hopefully saving you some money in the long run. It might not be enough to cover the cost of your system upgrade or even pay for a month of your Sky Broadband service, but it's certainly better than paying for e-waste disposal.

You not only work hard to ensure that you do less harm to the environment through the operation of your business venture, but you also strive to take eco-friendly strides in your personal life. However, taking on a green attitude can sometimes feel like going on a diet, and not the type where you simply cut back, but the kind where you have to deprive yourself of things you love in order to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Some people go for the "everything in moderation" mentality, which allows for life changes with a lot less stress. But if you have decided to take a hardline stance when it comes to the environment, you might find that you are out of luck when it comes to many activities that you used to enjoy. So here are just a few fun diversions that will let you blow off some steam without emitting any harmful toxins into the atmosphere in the process.

Now, when you think of games, the activities that come to mind are likely things like Monopoly or softball. But you don't have to support the type of mass manufacturing that goes into making board games (or the animal products needed to create sporting goods) in order to have a good time. For one thing, nearly every sport has products made from alternative materials (footballs haven't been made from a pig's bladder for centuries). But you may not want to support the type of plastic and rubber manufacturing that goes into creating these newer items. Luckily, there are tons of outlets geared towards giving used sporting equipment a second life (like "Play it Again Sports" type places). So if you're into outdoor games like softball, soccer, or roller hockey, you can find all the gear you need without having to support new production.

But what if you're not exactly an outdoor enthusiast? If your idea of a good time doesn't revolve around chasing a ball and getting sweaty, there are other options for eco-friendly diversions. One that requires no equipment (aside from your imagination) is charades. Although you can't play it on your own, it works just as well with two people or ten. And you can find ways to green up a board game you like by making your own eco-friendly version. Pictionary, for example, can easily be made more Earth-friendly by using recycled paper or even downloading a drawing app on your iPad. Of course, you can also look for games that are made in an environmentally conscious manner, like Bioviva (ages 8 to adult), which is manufactured with recycled materials and printed with vegetable-based inks.

In all honesty, though, nearly any type of game can be made more eco-friendly if you simply purchase the pieces second-hand. For example, you don't need to join a cue club and hit up billiard halls that use a ton of energy. If you love pool games you can look on Craigslist for an antique billiards table, balls, and cues. Do you love video games but hate all the electricity needed to run your TV and game console? Switch it up with an old-school pinball machine. You might have to get creative in order to have some eco-friendly fun, but there are tons of options for the greenie on the prowl for a new way to play.

Organic, green, and clean are here to stay. In the 2012 Organic Industry Survey, the Organic Trade Association reports that in 2011, the United States organic industry alone reached $31 billion in sales. However, not all green, organic, and holistic products are manufactured directly in the United States. For some products, the cost of creation is more efficient when processed in a facility out of state or out of the region; alternatively, offshore company formation may make sense for tax purposes, privacy purposes, or other shareholder needs.

Here are four main steps to review when checking the status of an exterior company in an offshore financial center: 

1) Stability of the market?
How is the country governed - is it a democracy? does it have elections? What is the history of civil unrest or potential for difficulty in the country? Choose a country with a history of continuity, security, and stability.

2) Economic outlook?
What is the credit rating for the sovereign nation? Is it an "investment grade" country that you or your investors feel secure putting your money into? How is the banking infrastructure? What is the current Gross Domestic Product of the country? Do they have a recent history of growing trade, both importing and exporting goods?

3) Language needs?
If you are a native English speaker, some English-speaking options are Panama City, the Philippines, India, and some Caribbean nations. Consider language needs and communication requirements between you and your local liaison. Make sure that there is adequate trained staff in the country you're reviewing.

4) Cultural needs?
Consider cultural factors: does your executive team and your offshore team feel comfortable interacting with each other? Some gender, age, sexual preference, and other societal norms may be troubling or too "different," depending on the country.

For green businesses, there is a pressing need to develop a good product or service and get it to the LOHAS market in an efficient and expeditious way.

While not a good solution for everyone, the ability to offshore all or some of your company's needs may be one that's worth reviewing.

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