As we rush to calculate our carbon foot print we look at our homes and our cars for ways to become more environmentally aware. Hybrid cars, solar panels, and personal gardens are just some ways that are being adopted in an effort to be kind to Mother Earth. But what about making our clothes environmentally friendly? Many people just do not understand how synthetic our clothing is and how much resources it takes to outfit an entire family let alone the world. With this in mind, many high fashion retailers are beginning to offer “green” alternatives. The business community is following suit with many professionals switching to eco-friendly clothing as a way not to just make a positive impact on the environment but with their clients as well.

It takes a keen and savvy eye to find environmentally friendly clothing that lives up to the name. Ideally, eco-fashion as it is commonly referred to as is any clothing that takes into consideration the well being of the environment, the workers that created the clothing or product, and the impact that it has on the environment.

The key to finding environmentally friendly clothing is to read the labels. Most of us are unaccustomed to reading anything beyond the price tag. Most labels will tell you everything that you need to know about the piece of clothing you are going to buy.

Organic clothing is popular and is usually your best bet when shopping for that new suit. Anything that boosts the word organic must meet the USDA’s strict criteria and definition of the word. When you see on the label that those pair of slacks is made from “certified organic” it means that the fiber used was grown in an area that has been chemically free for at least three years. Without the use of pesticides and other chemicals so the negative impact of the fiber is very small.

Whether the article of clothing is organic or not is just one part of the process. One other aspect that many of us fail to take into consideration when shopping green are the dyes used in the clothing; believe it or not, but that purple tie is not made from naturally occurring purple material. Most of the dyes used in the clothing industry are toxic to humans, animals, and the environment as a whole. To date there are no uniformed guidelines dictating how much dye should be used in the manufacturing process and just because the labels says low impact dyes does not necessarily mean that its safe for the environment. Many professionals advise that consumers buy items that are naturally colored like wool but if this does not prove to be a suitable solution then strive to find clothing that use water or soy based dyes.

A popular material for eco friendly clothing is hemp. Growing hemp is illegal in certain countries like the United States and in certain parts of Australia, but there are plenty of manufacturers in other countries that are making really great styles with it including business wear for both men and women. Hemp is pretty resilient to pests and disease which decreases its need for pesticides and it is exceptionally durable. When shopping for something made from Hemp you will want to take special care to ensure that the clothing was made by companies that treat their employees with respect and pay wages that are fair. An easy way to find this out is by looking for the Fair Trade logo on the label. If, however, you can not find anything on the label that states if it is made using fair methods then information should be available online. Just because something is low impact on the environment does not meant that it is OK to use exploited workers.

Recycled material for clothing has been around for several years and is becoming all the more popular. With recycling many items find new lives and stay out of the landfills reducing the amount of waste.

Eco friendly fashion is becoming a big hit and for business men and women who work long and hard to shape the world, these clothes produce a sense of doing well. Not only great for your confidence but for the environment, eco fashion in the work place is a great way to help solve a problem that effects us all.

While there are many consultant firms that can provide excellent ideas on how to create a green office, such services are not really needed unless your office finds that it has certain specialized needs that require the attention of such firms. What is suggested is that the office calls a meeting in order to brainstorm ways and methods that can be adopted to create an eco friendly space. This has two benefits: one being the ability to have a well spring of ideas available and the other to generate enthusiasm about initiating the new program. If the employees feel directly involved, then they are more likely to participate in the program.

While the program initiated by each office will differ in order to cater to their unique needs, there are a few steps that are ideal for everyone.

The first and most obvious solution is to recycle. Even though the need for recycling is nothing new, it does not mean that it is any less important. Businesses, whether local or international use a lot of paper. Many buildings start with recycling initiatives and build from there. In an effort to get the community involved, your office may want to offer a recycling collection center as well. While recycling is an option, your office should consider eliminating unnecessary items which would end up in those bins.

Cut back on paper usage and only print when you must and use double sided printing methods. Switch from plastic bottles or Styrofoam cups to glass or ceramic cups and plates.

As far as lighting goes, invest in Compact Fluorescent lights or LED lights. These lights cut down on energy consumption and last about 10 times as longer as traditional lighting. While the initial cost of such lights will be slightly higher, the lasting effect will be more then worth it.

Just because you have longer lasting lights does not mean you can leave them on when you are not in the room. Turn off the lights when you leave a room and while you are at it, shut down computers, faxes, printers, and other electronic devices. If you find that your office is having a hard time adapting, then buy motion sensors which will turn lights on or off when needed.

Going green can start even before you get to your desk. The commute to work is turning costly as fuel prices rise. By taking public transportation or car pooling, workers can reduce cost and harmful emissions.

Some easy ways to remodel the office in a green style can be switching to water purifiers to cut down on using bottled water to installing sun roofs. Large open windows and sun roofs allow natural light in the office reducing the need for artificial lights.

Other ideas for making a greener office can be found from plenty of sources such as The Green Pages; www.thegreenpages.com.au, which has plenty of tips, tricks, and resources for the environmentally conscience.

This news may not be new to those with specialized degrees in eco-friendly areas but the demand for generalized green jobs are also growing giving just about anyone the chance to shift careers and work towards a better tomorrow.

There are countless career opportunities for the environmentally conscience. These careers include a variety of functions and specialties from the field of science to public relations.

Finding a green career has become easier as the need has increased. In fact, the older generation has even begun to switch career paths from traditional fields to more eco-friendly fields. This trend promises to continue through the years as going green is not merely a trend, but a way of life.

There are several areas where the environmentally aware can find jobs that suit their skills. The main areas seeing growth in the green career market involve traditional skills and abilities.

There will always be openings in the Education field and when involved in the green market, educators play a key role in providing information to the public and to the cooperate sectors about what can be done to improve how they are going green. Not only this, but educators specialized in key areas concerning the going green movement can travel the world to teach other nations and people on the importance of going green now instead of later when it will be too late.

In the Law field, eco friendly job opportunities usually center on protecting the environment from those who would otherwise exploit it. Professionals in this career area also push for laws to change the way things are done in an effort to make industries greener. Lawyers and judges that concerned for the environment play important roles in creating and upholding laws aimed at protecting the world�??s resources.

The construction industry is seeing change as home owners and businesses are beginning to see the importance of lessening their impact on the environment. Eco-friendly building materials are becoming more affordable which is creating a demand for them to be used in the construction of new homes and buildings.

Of course, not all eco friendly careers require specialization and there are plenty of careers out there that focus on the environment that is available to anyone.

There are several companies that specialize in green careers. The Sierra Club is a popular organization that offers potential employees the opportunity find the right field for them.

Environmental Career Center offers employees and employers the chance to come together to match skills to needed jobs.

Other potential career areas can include:

Conservation Biologist

Fund-raising Director

Camp Counselor

Forester

Science Teacher

Environmental Attorney

Community Affairs Manager

For those interested in a green career they should be able to easily find a job that suits their skill level and desire. These green careers promise to be a long lasting job option that can only lead to more opportunities and advancements. The top eco-friendly careers centers around those that will make an immediate impact either by constructing new and improved green buildings, making new laws concerned with making a greener tomorrow or the education of the public on ways to improve the environment.

This isn’t to say that every business that goes green is doing it for purely selfish reasons, certainly there are those businesses that have a general concern about the environment, but the financial motivation is still there.

One way for consumers to show companies what changes are needed is through the stock market. By buying and trading shares in companies consumers can show what the public opinion of that company is. This is just one reason why eco conscience consumers should invest in stocks from companies that have made a commitment to going green.

There are plenty of eco friendly companies, mostly small in nature that are offering stocks, mutual funds, and even bonds to the public. These companies�?? goods and services all have a similar goal in mind, the preservation of the Earth by lessening the negative impact of civilization. These green companies include those who consult others on the use of eco friendly products, makers of organic and natural products like food or clothing, and renewable energy firms.

The renewable energy companies seem to be the most popular green stocks as they promises to be around for quite a while. Stocks in renewable energy are still relatively inexpensive when compared with fossil fuels and the likelihood of renewable energy to grow is great.

While eco friendly stocks are not yet popular with those wanting a long term investment, there are certainly many people who are blazing ahead. These people are commonly young adults who are pretty much guaranteed to see their green stocks accumulate a profit in the future.

Of course, it is important to discuss any potential purchase of a stock whether green or other with a broker as green stocks seem to be gaining a foot-hold in the market.

Consumers should be cautious before they invest money into companies that promise eco friendly products and services. The fact is that Eco friendly is used by many as an arbitrary term, something to garner attention when in actuality the company does more to harm then to help the environment. Many of the eco friendly companies are still relatively small and unknown so research will be required to make certain that you are investing in a company that is truly green.

GREEN STOCKS TO INCREASE YOUR GREEN

There are plenty of mutual funds and stocks on the market today that are great for investors. An example is the Sierra Club Stock Fund which uses rigid criteria to make sure that companies in the stock fund are truly eco friendly. Investors will find other mutual funds like this on the market today along with individual stocks.

There are many Australian specific stocks that offer the environmentally conscience investor a way to feel guilt free with their stock options.

CleanTeq is a relatively new company established in 1990. The primary objective of CleanTeq is to provide air pollution control and water management methods. In the Australian Stock Market, CleanTeq is listed as CLQ.

AnaeCo is using eco friendly methods in waste management and has seen recent growth. Publicly listed as ANQ on the Australian Stock Market, the price for this stock is still relatively low with significant room and chance of growth and represents a great opportunity for investors who would like to diversify their stock portfolio by adding an eco-friendly company.

Green Invest Ltd. is a company interested in environmental solutions and empowering investors and the public to pursue green solutions. On the Australian Stock Market, Green Invest Ltd is listed as GNV and is now seeking aggressive options to boost growth.

As the Green Movement gains momentum and more companies are joining the fold it is important to make certain that your business does not become another tree among the ever growing forest. You have to market your business in such a way that it is noticeable and necessary while maintaining the right to be Green.

It’s not easy being Green especially if you are a small business just starting out in the Eco friendly business market. Consumers that are environmentally concerned are also environmentally savvy and know what to look for when shopping for goods and services that boast about being good for the environment.

Greenwashing is a negative term that you never want attached to your business. It means that a company claiming to be eco friendly and green is exaggerating and in truth, their practices of going green just do not hold up under closer inspection. Your business can avoid being accused of Greenwashing by practicing what you preach.

If you deal in energy saving light bulbs, use them in the office, the break room, where ever you can. If you trust the product enough to sell it then use it. If you’re company advises others on ways to Go Green then follow your own advice. Recycle, reuse, install solar panels, water saving products, and whatever else you tell your clients to do.

When it comes to marketing your business look for ways to reduce waste associated with traditional advertising techniques. The newspaper and other print publications are examples of traditional techniques. More newspaper companies are using recycled materials, so if you plan on using the print media make sure your ad appears in a paper that is proud of being recycled. A popular alternative is using online services as a way to market and advertise your business. There are several methods and ways to do this from creating an entire website devoted to your business to using ads such as pop up ads or text based ads that appear on websites. A new addition to the online advertising game is sites devoted to marketing Green businesses. These sites allow consumers a place to go and search databases based on location and products that are eco friendly. One such site is the Green Pages, an Australian based website offering businesses a way to get their name out to those consumers who are ecologically concerned.

The key to marketing your business and your green products is making consumers know that it exists. Advertising such a business can be tricky as you will certainly not want to waste resources which may be mistaken as Greenwashing. Get your name out there by word of mouth, through online ads, and with any other innovative and clever method you can think of.

Other ways to market your Green Business can include:

Offer free recycling at the business location.

Offer free seminars on how to Go Green.

Become a positive voice in the community and encourage others, including the city to Go Green.

Green businesses often understand how important it is to become involved in the community. Since the business is concerned with the environment, which includes the public and standard of living, they are in a unique position be become personally invested in the state of their community, neighborhood, and country. By partnering with not for profit organizations or with groups that encourage eco-friendly behavior, green businesses can make a positive impact on their surroundings.

By teaming up with other green businesses in the area businesses will be able to generate ideas and participation in public participation like recycling programs.

Marketing your green business will require extra effort but the rewards are well worth it not just for your profits but for the Earth as well.

Going green has several benefits for the building owners and for the environment. The only downside for many is construction cost since eco friendly building materials do tend to be slightly more expensive than traditional materials. Most are fine with the increase in prices since it will pay off in the long run with reductions in the price of utilities.

Going green is becoming very popular with over 50,000 such homes being constructed in just the past decade alone. Whole communities devoted to being ecologically friendly are springing up and even professional buildings are joining the cause. At this rate, many experts believe that a majority of new homes and buildings will soon be all green with older structures being converted in an effort to reduce energy costs and consumption.

There are a large number of materials available on the market today that can be used in the construction of environmentally friendly buildings. From the outside, to the inside, savvy builders are implementing new technology and reused materials in a way that benefits the environment. In fact, many cities and states are looking into implementing guidelines requiring new buildings to be more eco-friendly.

There are many companies offering green building materials for the exterior and interior. Before beginning construction it is important to consider a few key points that will help determine what type of eco friendly materials should be used in construction.

With the variety of construction materials some of the materials will not be suitable in every environment. Builders have to take into consideration what it will take to heat and cool buildings during the winter and summer months when energy consumption for homes and offices are higher. If the materials used make it more difficult to keep the home cool then it will still be damaging to the environment even if the material is eco-friendly in itself.

The importance of recycled materials is worth repeating. There are several building materials on the market that are created using recycled content. Concrete, pipes, carpet, all have recycled counterparts. By buying recycled goods, the consumer is helping complete the cycle that reduces landfill waste and strains on the environment.

Of course, it is wise to purchase eco-friendly materials locally when possible. Most do not take transportation cost into consideration when ordering construction materials. Purchasing local materials will cut down the effects of transportation such as gas usage and harmful emissions.

So, what are some specific benefits of building green? These vary in several fields but all have an overreaching benefit. With the reduction of waste and harmful effects that buildings have on the environment, it will improve the quality of life.

Building a green home or building will aid in improving air and water quality which is becoming a major concern for communities the world over. By using recycled materials, these green buildings will help to conserve natural resources that are being rapidly depleted. The overall operating costs of green buildings have proven to be cheaper in the long run then traditional buildings. As more green buildings sprout up, the demand for them grows creating a very healthy trend that is pretty much guaranteed to continue throughout the years.

When you volunteer in a way that benefits the environment either ecologically or socially the benefits of volunteering take on a new dimension as you are not only helping the immediate surroundings but are aiding on a global scale.

There are many reasons people decide to volunteer their time and efforts for eco-friendly causes. Some of the more popular reasons are shared by nearly everyone. A sense of social responsibility motivates many to donate their time in an effort to clean up lakes, sort recycling, or to help the community in other ways. Even households that have done all they can do for the environment like nearly eliminated their carbon footprint are volunteering with Green Volunteer programs. They are the ones that understand that any difference made is just a start and certainly not a solution. Additional help is needed in all areas of the environment.

Green volunteering has grown in the recent years as eco-friendly education continues to reach people of all ages. This is good news to the communities and organizations that are of need of more man power to achieve their objectives. There will always be a need for green volunteers whether you want to travel the world donating your time to other countries or if you want to focus your efforts on your own neighborhood by cleaning up the lakes or the streets.

With so many opportunities possible for green volunteers it is important to find the field that best suits you. Not everyone is going to be able to build energy efficient buildings in third world countries or to help with an oil spill. It is vital that you find a volunteer program or activity that you are able to realistically accomplish and that you enjoy.

Look in your own community, if you find it impossible to travel. In every community there is a need for volunteers including those that focus on environmental issues. Planting trees, cleaning up water ways, educating the public about the importance of going green, are just some possible suggestions.

Should you have any special skills or know how you can easily use this in the Green Volunteering field. If you are a great organizer then start a recycling program in the city if one is not already in place. If you are a teacher then educate the public at special seminars about the importance of an eco-friendly lifestyle and the ways to achieve it.

While it would be great to volunteer all of your time this is simply not realistic. Manage your time properly allowing for work, family, and other responsibilities. If you find that you do not have much time that can be devoted to volunteering then you can still crusade for the green cause in other ways.

Be sure to try and involve friends and family in your green volunteering activities. Volunteering is a lot more fun when you can do it with people you love.

Green Volunteering can be different things to different people but the outcome is the same. Many states and neighborhoods have organizations that specialize in green volunteering but if you should find that there is no such local group then start off your volunteering by creating one.

For the everyman, the regular Joe, making steps towards a greener tomorrow is no longer as far fetched as it once seemed. With the introduction of hybrid cars, solar paneling for homes, and the bountiful selection of recycled goods on the market consumers are now able to make an impact by exchanging a little green for a greener planet.

Eco-friendly products are not just limited to cars, light bulbs, and organic fruits and vegetables. New products from old companies are being introduced to the market place with green in mind. Vodka is the latest product in a long list of product to go green and with the wide selection of premium spirits already on the shelves it may be confusing to pick out the right bottle.

There are three major manufacturers of vodka that are forging the way for others in the new and greener market. These three are VEEV, Purus, and 360 Vodka. These brands are already well known to aficionados and casual drinkers as representing some of the finest vodkas on the market today but there is a difference between each.

The difference does not lay in taste alone, though it does play a factor, the real difference between the green vodkas is how they are environmentally aware. Each of the brands is going green in their own way and it is up to the consumer to decide which vodka is for them.

VEEV

VeeV is becoming a popular vodka at parties and restaurants as it boasts of a smooth taste. Ingredient wise, VeeV is set apart from the rest of the Vodkas on the market for its use of Acai, an exotic berry that is found in the Amazonian Rain forest and is the national fruit of Brazil. The fruit is revered for its natural properties and VeeV is the first spirit to use the Acai. Using the Acai fruit presents a great opportunity for VeeV to give back to earth from which it takes.

Consumers of VeeV may be concerned about the use of this Amazon resource and VeeV understands why. The Rain forest is being rapidly depleted by overuse and deforestation and in an effort to counteract their use of that resource VeeV gives $1 to the Rain forest for every bottle bought. While this may not seem like a large amount, the impact is huge. The money goes directly to the farming communities where VeeV receives the Acai berry and helps to ensure that the berry is organic diminishing any negative impact on this fragile ecosystem.

This is not all VeeV does. VeeV’s distilleries are carbon neutral, the first in its industry. Carbon neutral means that the company maintains a zero balance on their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources, buying eco-friendly products, and taking other steps in an effort to reduce negative impact on the world. This is an important step in reducing Greenhouse gases that are depleting the Ozone layer and causing Global Warming.

Distilled Resources Inc, VeeV’s distilleries, is now using renewable wind energy, and using a renewable energy source is a major step for a major company.

VeeV is certainly setting the standard when it comes to the Industry. Along with trying to benefit the Earth in eco-friendly standards, VeeV is also taking social responsibility through the use of Co-op America, Planet Green, and Climate Clean among other companies interested in aiding the people of the Earth along with making the Earth a Greener place to live.

Purus

Purus Vodka is a family owned distillery in its third generation that has the ability to boast the fact that it is made from 100% organic wheat. Along with this, Purus is working with American Forests in an effort to replenish the dwindling North American forests. For every person that registers on the Purus website, the company vows to plant a tree through American Forest to replenish the loss of trees do the wild fires and deforestation that has plagued this nation for years.

Purus takes its environmentally conscious attitude to its packaging as well. With its concern over the state of the American forests, it only makes sense that Purus use labels that are 100% free of trees. The bottle is also 100% recyclable so it will have a new life as something else and will not just sit in a landfill. Even the ink and adhesives are environmentally friendly. Using soy based inks Purus has eliminated the use of harmful petroleum based ink and the adhesives used are water based.

Purus is relatively new vodka on the market but its impact is already being felt through its tree planting program and the use of environmentally friendly materials.

360 Vodka

360 Vodka has taken the title of Eco Luxury Vodka a title that it certainly deserves. 360 is a well respected vodka much loved for its taste and nature and now for its efforts for creating a Greener environment.

360 Vodka believes in taking cooperate responsibility for the planet and uses greener methods in the creation and packaging of its drink. The company promises to donate $20 from each case of 360 Vodka sold to the Coastal Conservation Association located in the Florida. The CCA is a non profit organization striving to protect the natural marine resources that can be found all around the state of Florida. This pledge of money has greatly benefited the CCA and its efforts. Along with this, 360 are also giving $1 to environmental causes around the world with every cap returned. This initiative is called the “Close the Loop” program and has already benefited many areas and people.

The packaging of 360 vodka is also eco friendly, with 85% recycled glass along with recycled paper and water based ink.

360 Vodka is also taking steps in its daily routine to help the environment. The company as a whole is taking steps such as recycling paper, ink cartridges, and other materials on a daily basis. 360 has even added an on site recycling center at the McCormick Distilling to make this process easier and convenient. Along with other measures, procedures, and methods McCormick Distilling and 360 Vodka are taking major strides in helping the environment and reducing their impact by researching other ways to go green.

While these three brands of Vodka take different methods in helping the environment, they are all great examples of ways that companies can make a positive impact on the world.

Consumers will have to make a decision in which to buy and take not only taste into consideration but how the brands are working towards a greener tomorrow.