Eco-Friendly Business

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There are plenty of opportunities to start a green business in Canada, from eco fashion and organic catering to running an organic store or gift shop, running a used bookstore, and a lot more. The best part is that there are incentive and funding programs available to startups, entrepreneurs, and green businesses.

Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Business

Green farming is one option to look into even if you have no training or previous experience. Starting an organic farm and producing organic tomatoes, pepper, carrots, pears, or anything else is a great way to contribute to sustainable living. Running an electric vehicle charging station is a second option to consider now that electric vehicles are gaining popularity. If you are already in the hospitality business, you may want to think of opening green bed and breakfast. Use locally produced, organic ingredients for breakfast items and meals, organic detergents, and minimal power. There are other ideas to start an eco-friendly business, for example, green retail or finance, eco-friendly landscaping, and so on.

Your Business Plan

This is the next step toward running a successful business, especially if you need external financing for your project. The more details you include about your concept, business ideas, personnel, etc., the better your chances to obtain a low-cost loan or government funding. Focus on things like competition, potential customers, sustainable practices, and more. You may want to highlight the fact that your business can help minimize waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental impact in general. If you plan on hiring at-risk or disadvantaged people, make sure you mention this.

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Business Efficiency Programs

Financing

There are plenty of ways to finance an eco-friendly business or project, including government funding and private financing. When it comes to incentive and funding programs in Canada, programs vary by province or territory. Nova Scotia, for example, offers business energy rebates while Newfoundland and Labrador offers financing under the takeCHARGE Business Efficiency Program. Energy rebates are offered to businesses that are investing in energy efficient items and products. The takeCHARGE Business Efficiency Program offers rebates of up to $50,000 to businesses that are willing to invest in energy efficient upgrades for controls, lighting, refrigeration, cooling and heating, etc. The government of Ontario runs the Bioenterprise Seed Funding Program, which targets farming businesses with a focus on agri-food or agricultural innovation. The program specifically targets businesses in Southern Ontario. Entrepreneurs benefit from training and seed financing. There are other programs available to businesses in Ontario, including the Fuel Injection Program, Conservation Fund, Collaboration Voucher Program, and Low Carbon Innovation Fund, among others. When it comes to private financing, you will find different options such as peer to peer networks, business credit cards, business loans, mortgage financing, and others. Local financial institutions and the big Canadian banks offer business loans and credit cards with competitive fees and rates. While interest rates are higher compared to government-backed funding, small business loans go with beneficial features such as choice between floating and fixed interest rates, choice of repayment frequency, and amounts of up to $1,000,000. Some financial institutions require collateral depending on the loan amount, business credit score, and other factors. The term and repayment frequency depend on loan purpose, i.e. whether for real property, leasehold improvements, or equipment. A business credit card is yet another option to obtain additional financing for equipment, payroll, or other expenses. Business cards go with benefits such as double bonus points, welcome bonuses, travel benefits, and a lot more. Bonus points can be used toward business expenses and purchases.

Saving the Environment in Canada

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Posted in environment

Saving the environment in Canada requires concerted effort on the part of organizations, institutions, territorial and provincial governments, and the general public.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Waste and Save Energy

There are easy ways to save the environment like using energy-efficient bulbs and devices, composting, recycling, car sharing, and buying local. Green businesses also contribute to environmental protection by reducing waste and harmful emissions. Some eco-friendly businesses focus on solar panel manufacturing and geothermal and wind power while others specialize in energy efficient vehicles, retail, air duct and green cleaning, and so on.

Organizations, Networks, and Associations

There is a host of organizations, networks, and groups in Canada that work toward environmental protection and sustainable living. Among them are Charity Village, the Canadian Environmental Network, Food Secure Canada, Sustainability Network, and many others. Some are local or regional while others are national and international. Food Secure Canada, for example, is a Canadian environmental network that aims to contribute to creating a sustainable food system so that food is more equally distributed. The Sustainability Network offers training and support and runs programs with a focus on inclusion, equity, and diversity, engagement organizing, and economic literacy. The Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition is an Ontario-based organization that provides educational materials and bilingual services to networks, coalitions, groups, and communities. The coalition works on different projects and offers workshops with a focus on rural transport, empowering local communities, sustainable food systems, and many others. Other topics include writing a funding proposal, planning techniques and approaches, and group facilitation skills. There are many other organizations in Canada, including environmental, industry, and business associations, and others. Examples of key associations include Greenpeace Canada, Environmental Defence Canada, the Canadian Environmental Law Association, Nature Conservancy of Canada, and many others.

Key Public Figures and Green Activists

The list of key public figures and eco-heroes is quite long and includes names such as David Suzuki, David Schindler, Bob Hunter, Paul Watson, Jane Jacobs, and many others. David Schindler is a top expert on deforestation, tar ponds, acid rain, climate change, and other water ecology, environmental, and climate change issues. Schindler specializes in dead zones, algal blooms, freshwater over-fertilization, and the effects of excessive acidification of lakes. Activist and cofounder of Greenpeace Robert Hunter is the author of a number of books, including Occupy Canada, The Greenpeace Chronicle, The Storming of the Mind, The Enemies of Anarchy, and others. David Suzuki is a Canadian environmental activist, broadcaster, and academic who shed light and warned about climate change, deforestation of the boreal forests, and tar ponds in the province of Alberta. Elizabeth May is a key public figure and Green Party of Canada’s leader. She is also a lobbyist, environmental lawyer, and the author of works such as Global Warming for Dummies, Paradise Won: the struggle for South Moresby, and others. Other key public figures and green activists include academics, writers, volunteers, and policy critics such as Maude Barlow, Farley Mowat, Rosalie Bertell, Percy Schmeiser, and many others. Green activists work on a host of environmental issues such as biosphere destruction, crop contamination, animal protection, environmental conservation, etc. Through campaigning, advocacy, and research, environmental activists work to raise awareness about pollution, waste, and destruction to save the environment in Canada.