Eco-friendly business practices helping Windsor businesses

Businesses that adopt Eco-friendly business practices are seeing improvement in many areas.

According to the 2018 Environmental Performance Index Results, Canada had an environmental performance index of 72.18. A major factor in the score is some businesses choose to indulge in Eco-friendly business practices.

Green Sun Rising, a major solar system supplier in Windsor, is setting an example by conducting business in an Eco-friendly way. 

“We have a solar thermal system for heat energy for hot water from the Sun. We also have several solar PV systems to generate renewable, clean electricity also from the Sun,” said Tony Petkovic, an employee of Green Sun Rising. “We operate two electric company vehicles and charge them using our solar carports. We offer company bicycles for employees who want to reduce vehicle usage. We carpool whenever possible for events and recycle regularly.”

 

Petkovic also said Eco-friendly business has been very advantageous for his company apart from reducing energy related costs.

“It has presented us in a positive way. We have hosted seminars, tours, and presentations for interested parties from the public, companies, schools, and others,” said Petkovic.

Petkovic said his company’s Eco-friendly business practices have also helped in “building a positive reputation which brings business from others who wish to be eco-friendly.”

Rakesh Naidu, president of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, said Eco-friendly business practices are sustainable in the long term.

“It will help the companies become more profitable. It will help them save more,” said Naidu. “This is not just good for the environment but also is good business practice.”

Naidu also said that the government does provide encouragement when it comes to following Eco-friendly business practices.

“There has been use of energy-efficient equipment that is being supported by the government,” said Naidu. “There’s also some funds and grants that the government offers. There’s the Sustainable Development Tech Fund where companies, if they have an idea which is going to support the environmental protection, can apply for that kind of funding.”

Green Envy, a store that sells environmentally-friendly products, is another store that’s proving to be an ally of the environment.

“In store we carry a refill station, which helps to reduce the use of single plastics. Majority of our products come in limited packaging,” said Kristina Patrick-Khan, an employee at Green Envy. “We also offer paperless receipts either by email or text. We can honestly say, for the most part, the brands we carry are extremely Eco Conscious.”

According to a study by The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 80 per cent of small businesses try to go green without government urging.