Greenbiz.com explains that when it comes to the environment, small businesses make a big impact.
Although large companies continually grab the headlines with far-reaching announcements about carbon reduction, recycling and eco-friendly products, small businesses have just as much ability to affect the environment.
In the United States, small businesses (defined by the U.S. Small Business Association as independent firms with less than 500 employees) employ half of the private sector workforce and use half of the electricity and natural gas consumed by the commercial and industrial sectors. In 2006, small businesses accounted for 99.9 percent of the 26.8 million businesses in the country.
Clearly we can’t expect only the largest businesses that make up the remaining .1 percent to take action. While it’s no groundbreaking revelation that everyone has to do their part to lessen their impact on the environment, the challenge lies in bringing the smaller players together and putting them all on the right track. If that sounds like an uphill battle, the good news lies in the numerous groups working on the issue, the leaders of which agree: what it all comes down to is working on the most local level possible.
.