“Green” or “Eco-Friendly” or “Sustainable” business concepts and ideas are becoming more and more popular in the recent months. The idea of launching and running a green business is nice if you’re looking for a way to make money AND help the environment. Within the US and I would imagine many other countries, the trend of “going green” is HUGE and continuing to grow rapidly.
So, as a student entrepreneur, how can you capitalize on this?
Take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way to to learn about green business ideas, the concepts behind going green, the reasons for doing so, and the affects your contribution, no matter how small or big, can make. If you can do these things, and turn your interest into a business, why not? So, here are some different green business ideas for students.
>Eco-friendly is hot right now, are you ready to jump aboard?<
Eco-friendly business ideas:
- Green Home/Energy Consultant – meet with homeowners to help show them the ways that they can make their home more eco-friendly, reduce their carbon footprint, and save money.
- Electric Scooter sales/rentals – scooter sales and rentals are nothing new, but offering electric scooters rather than gas powered is a slightly newer trend. Scooter rentals around campuses would cut down on the need for students to have cars to get places that a university/city transportation service may not go.
- Eco-friendly cleaning service – just like a traditional cleaning service only your focus would be on using only organic and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
- Recycle trash into treasurer – most people just toss things into the trash without thinking about any other potential use. Now, entrepreneurs and designers are taking trash and turning it into cash. Products such as purses made of old license plates and more are starting to show up all over the place.
Here are some other similar articles with ideas for green business ideas:
- Green Business Ideas for Dormers
- 10 Green Business Ideas for Phoenix Entrepreneurs
- Best Green Business Ideas
- Cool Green Business Ideas
During this recession going green and saving money will go hand in hand. Any product you can put out that saves people money in the long run will be huge.
Autozone’s profits have surged, b/c people are fixing their cars instead of buying new ones. If you can apply the same money saving principle to going green you’ll win out.
Matt – thanks for the great comment. I totally agree that if you can turn a savings principle or concept into a business idea, you can rock out something awesome.
Yes, I too think the savings principle will be key. The green industry is used to adding a “green markup” to their products. Any entrepreneur that can bring a product to market that is green but doesn’t cost more than the non-green alternative has a great shot at doing well.
(And thanks for the link, Chris! :-))
A lot of the time there is resistance to the whole “going green” because of the costs associated with being able to go completely green. Some companies undersetand the value in it for marketing, and long term cost savings, but aren’t willing to front the costs associated with the overhaul NOW to take the advantages LATER. It’s kind of sad. I think putting these types of priorities in the top lines can greatly help bring a strong community of followers and increase your reputation among other niche companies. If you are green but the other is “brown”, people will respect you for your investment into yourself (and others indirectly) and go give you the business.
It’s truly a great to set up a business which helps not only yorself but also the environment…I’ve heard of used tarps recycled and made into bags, purses, etc…
Introduction
Do you have a business idea that you think will make a difference AND make money?
mtvU and NYSE Euronext are teaming up to create a one of a kind, nationwide search for creative capitalists with promising, original business plans, called Movers and Changers.
The Challenge
Submit a business plan that will do something positive for a community, the country, or the world, that will also be profitable and sustainable. Three finalists will be flown to New York City to attend Global Entrepreneurship Week and present their plans to a panel of industry executives. The winner will receive 25 thousand dollars in cash to help his or her company start off on the right foot, and ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
If you think you have what it takes to make money AND a difference, go to http://www.moversandchangers.com/ and download the application, then fill out the form on the right and attach your business plan!!
200 green business ideas, 100 green marketing ideas, and other encouraging stuff for green entrepreneurs…can we exchange links? http://www.greenbizplan.wordpress.com
going green is probably a wise choice because we need to protect our environment:'”