Guide to Green Pennsylvania Businesses and Industries
Why Select Pennsylvania Green Products and Services?
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
By selecting "green" environmentally friendly eco-products and services, you can reduce or eliminate not just the amount of fossil fuels consumed, but also the volume of waste, fresh water, or toxic material released into the environment, reducing your own environmental impact on the earth. What is a Green Business? Information on sustainable design and characteristics of a "green" business.
Purchasing Green Products also have many additional benefits beyond protecting the environment:
Local Green Products and Services:
CAN SAVE YOU MONEY
When high-performance "green" products and services reduce energy and/or water consumption, operating costs are lowered, saving consumers and businesses money. For example, a recent study “The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings published by Greg Kats in October 2003 concluded that green commercial buildings can average a $50 to 65 per square foot net benefit over a 20 year time period. These benefits included energy, emissions, & water savings, savings in operations and maintenance costs, increased productivity and improved health benefits. The average investment? 3-5 dollars per square foot.
These are just the savings in direct costs associated with energy efficient designs, appliances, exterior and interior building materials, electronics and other products. There are hundreds of cost-effective investments in eco-purchasing with short payback periods that lead to significant savings.
Tax Incentives for Green Technologies
There are many additional indirect financial costs also associated with the operation of our buildings, manufacturing and delivery processes, energy systems, etc.
Full or true cost accounting is referred to "triple bottom line accounting, " or calculating the collective environmental, social and economic costs.
Taxpayers absorb these indirect costs, as non-sustainable activities can lead to the depletion of our state's resources and biodiversity, hazzardous waste, deforestation, acid rain, pollution and/or greenhouse gas emissions. For example, environmental costs can include costly watershed cleanups from chemical agricultural and construction runoff, acid mine drainage, non-point and point source pollution. These clean-ups are payed for by taxpayers, and our community also experiences the loss of revenue disruption can cause. Another example? Air pollution or toxic off-gassing can also adversely effect our health, increasing health care costs, reducing our productivity and effecting our state's bottom line.
The Earth Policy Institute has detailed articles and books about these indirect costs, and alternative ways to structure our policies and taxes to stimulate the growth of an eco-economy. One of the most recent is Plan B 2.0: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble, by Lester R. Brown.
When we support Green products and services, the long-term return on investment can translate into savings beyond the immediate change in our pockets.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY
Supporting local products and services that contribute towards the sustainable growth of our state's economy can increase eco-jobs, eco-industries, and rebuild the Pennsylvania economy with businesses you and your children would want to work for. Many eco-product markets recorded record profits and growth in 2006. Multiple sustainable technologies are becoming recognized and supported by new federal and state initiatives that make them more affordable through tax incentives and credits.
By patronizing local PA businesses, you are also supporting your own community's tax base. Those affiliated with that business are likely to live here, contributing to and participating in the local social institutions.
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY'S HEALTH
Eco-products may contain fewer or no toxins, or may use more environmentally friendly processes for manufacturing, packaging, and/or distribution, decreasing exposure to harmful chemicals and improving indoor and outdoor air quality.
These non-toxic alternatives can include cleaning products, paint and adhesives, natural rugs and upholstery fabrics, etc. This reduces the phenonenon of "sick buildings," which negatively impacts health and productivity.
IT IS EASY AND FUN
Purchasing green can involve small or large steps, and is a great way to get started to improve your environmental stewardship. Coupled with stewardship actions and lifestyle choices,
making informed choices can lead to the reduction of our environmental impact and improve the quality of our lives. Learning about these options can be ispiring, empowering and lead to further learning in environmental education.
By reducing consumption and then selecting Green products and services, you will make a difference with lowering your personal contribution towards our environmental problems such as global warming.
IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE- IT FEELS GREAT!
Many consumers are at least partial aware of their environmental impact, but are unaware of many eco-purchasing options. Making informed decisions with eco-friendly options can lead to a lighter environmental footprint-and greater satisfaction in pursuing a "green" lifestyle.
Many eco-options can improve the quality of life-for example, sustainable transportation options include bicyling, which reduces carbon emissions, but also leads to better physical health. Certified Organic, locally grown tomatoes will be seasonally ripe, and much tastier- just ask any chef or gardener!
List Your Pennsylvania Business in the Guide:
Online PA Business Listing Form; Basic Listing Free!
The PA Green Guide was generously funded through a TIF grant from Penn State Outreach Economic and Workforce Development.
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Online database to search for Pennsylvania Green Businesses and Industries
