TIPS ON HOW YOUR SALON CAN ‘GO GREEN’
Compiled by Duane Brodt, Coles Marketing Communications

The consensus among “going green” experts is, even the smallest things matter if a business is looking to be more eco-friendly and conserve at a higher rate.

Based on a quick review of top tips for businesses for going green, these four simple tips top most lists:

1. PUT LIVE PLANTS THROUGHOUT YOUR BUSINESS
Plants filter pollutants from the air and can keep the oxygen level high inside your business.

2. UTILIZE RECYCLED PAPER
It costs less to make and saves you from buying expensive reams of new paper at the office supply store.

3. PICK GREEN VENDORS
Select green-oriented vendors to supply your salon everything from office furniture to cleaning supplies.

4. CONSERVE ELECTRICITY AND WATER
Shut off lights when they’re not needed. Make sure faucets don’t leak.

Here are some online resources offering other top tips for going green. Check them out:

Bella Online: The Voice of Women
“10 Tips for Going Green in your Small Office or Home Office”
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4040.asp

NFIB.com: The Voice of Small Business
“Go Green: Start Recycling In Your Small Business”
http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_28768.html

Canadian Entrepreneur
Why "Going Green" pays off
http://canentrepreneur.blogspot.com/2008/02/why-going-green-pays-off.html

And if you’re really needing some sound tips, check out “How to Go Green” at Treehugger.com (http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php) and “50 Plus One Tips for Going Green” by Alicia Marie Smith, available on Amazon.com for $11.21 (http://www.amazon.com/Plus-One-Tips-Going-Green/dp/1933766204).

Duane Brodt is an account manager at Coles Marketing Communications, a full-service public relations, marketing and communications firm in Indianapolis and the Agency of Record for ETS Tan, the global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of indoor tanning beds and tanning equipment.