This week’s green challenge is to research green companies and make at least one purchasing change based on that research.  In order to find these companies, I would be appropriate to define what a green company is.

I started my research by looking for lists of the greenest companies at place like here, here and here, but I just don’t think that these lists alone can fully provide the information I am looking for.  They may provide a good starting point, but that is all.  I am not sure I trust these kinds of lists and feel it important to take second looks at the individual companies for products I purchase.  I need to become a better consumer.

Even though the lists only gave me a starting point, I did find a definition I like at Green America Day .  They define a green company as a business that “operate(s) in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems.  These businesses adopt principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and the environment. “    This definition seems to fit the bill of what I would like to see a green company be.

I think it is obvious that the company needs to be friendly to the environment, but there plenty of companies that promote their green policies, but may not be completely on the up and up on the overall picture.   Possibly a company has one green initiative that is advertised, but then they do some very nasty things to either the environment or their workers. This sort of activity is called Greenwashing. I would hate to switch to a company that uses solar power, but then goes and uses slave labor to build their products or unnecessary pollution.

It is important to find companies that are good to the environment, but I believe that it is also important to find companies that treat people in a decent manner. One way that I plan on going about my search for green organizations is to look for Fair Trade companies.  These are companies that promote economic activity in a sustainable manner from areas of the world that are developing.

In summary, I need to do my due diligence on the companies I purchase from based on the definition listed above, while making sure to be aware of Greenwashing activities and Fair Trade organizations.  My journey begins!  If you have any advice on guides for green companies or great companies, please let me know in the comment area below.