There are a number of ways to keep the environment in mind when you are planning your ID supply and equipment purchases. A little research can turn up interesting details about advances in sustainability throughout this industry. We will start with a look at consumables for use with your existing card printer and finish up with a brief overview of what to look for when you are buying a new machine.
Earth Day is held each April 22 but its purpose to promote a healthy environment is evident every day.
Whether it’s a newspaper, radio, television or computer screen, warnings of how we’re damaging the environment and messages on how to fix it are widespread. It seems everyone is “going green” in one way or another. Hybrid cars, canvas bags at the grocery store, energy efficient light bulbs, you name it, there’s a way to go green.
Go Green, Use Green, 100 percent Organic, or Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle are common catchphrases you see in bold prints and commonly hear from environmentally friendly groups in New York City. Despite being the most urbanized city in the U.S., New York has eco-friendly groups that absolutely uphold the convictions and idealisms that they promote. In fact, the principle they are endorsing is not their own responsibility, but each and every one’s duty to protect our natural resources. Everyone and everything is encouraged to go green, including the printing industry. The revolutionary transition to the computer age has likewise made a similar shift in how printing gets done—prints made by the traditional offset printing press versus new digital printing technology.
The “Green Age” is a global transformation similar in magnitude to the “Information Age.” Wall Street investment bank, Goldman Sachs, concluded environmental businesses will earn over 1 trillion dollars by 2010. President-elect Obama’s Administration will make energy and the environment a top priority. The opportunity to create a sustainable start-up has never been better. While oil continues to come down below $50 per barrel, we still need alternative energy sources, education and conservation to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and overcome global warming. As the world races to find solutions to many ecological problems, it’s creating vast opportunities for entrepreneurs to make money while helping to protect the planet.As founder of the Green Maui Guide, I invented the first green e-zine for Hawaii. In addition, I taught a class titled “how to start a green business.” In my class, I listed over 100 opportunity areas for green entrepreneurs. In virtually every field. My favorite opportunity areas include: green investment advisors, eco-fashion designers, business energy auditors, green computer gurus, indigenous landscape architects, green builders, eco-tourism guide and sustainability consultants.Why not come up with an invention or service yourself? If you’re already living a green lifestyle the idea is probably right in front of you. You might just come up with the next big idea. Pay attention to the green things in your life and consider if you can make them better. Then check your idea out on the Internet to see what your competition is up to. Maybe somebody is providing a service outside your area that you could set up locally. Or maybe there is a niche market for a product that focuses on the home, autos, pets, gardening or the like. Sell your products or services on craiglist or ebay. It not just new technology entrepreneurs in Solar Valley making bucks. It companies like the Whole Foods natural food chain, Pantagonia clothing and Method, green cleaning products.There are venture capital firms springing up that fund private companies specializing in alternative power, water technologies, organic and natural foods, and environmental technologies. Check out the Green Investment Network to get connected with ecology minded investors. Socialize with other entrepreneurs in a fun environment at Green Drinks. Join or start and eco-investment club. Read the “Going Green” section of Entrepreneur e-zine.Create a job for yourself in the new green collar economy. While companies are laying off people, business is booming at placement agencies like Green Bright Talent. Starting a green business will not only transform your finances, it will help change the world for the better.Larry Burke is an award winning Professor and publisher of the popular Green Business (greenmauiguide.com). He has an MBA from Harvard University and a BA from Stanford University.Visit for more about sustainable energy and conserve energy
The world is constantly changing before our eyes. Technology has created advancements that we could never have imagined 20 years ago. But with many of the advancements have come negative changes to our environment like pollution and global warming that affect the way we live our lives.
As a result, these changes have inspired the creation of jobs meant to contribute to and aid our environment rather than destroy it. These jobs are called “green collar jobs.” If you are interested in learning more about this industry, take a look at how it affects you and how you can fit in.What are Green Collar Jobs?
Green collar jobs are typically defined along the lines of blue collar jobs. However, these jobs were created by companies that want to help improve the environment. You can see minor changes in the everyday activities of some businesses. For instance, some grocery chains have stopped passing out plastic bags for free and have began charging customers with the proceeds benefiting the environment. Because so much more effort is being placed on “going green” there are many more jobs coming available to help create zero waste, conserve water, develop residential solar energy and more.What Types of Jobs are Available?
Some specific job types that you might be able to get into that very directly mean to enhance the environment include bike delivery services, gas station jobs related to biodiesel, green waste composting, landscaping, construction material and debris hauling and reuse.
A few others include:
- Hazardous material clean-up
- Developments for non-toxic household cleaning products
- Expansion of open spaces such as parks, recycling, solar installation
- Printing with non-toxic inks and dyes
- Maintenance and repair for public transit
- Tree cutting and pruning
- Water efficiency and conservation
- Weatherization for homes
- Energy conservation
Many businesses are hopping on the “go green” bandwagon. So this is a good time to begin searching for employment in this area.Can I Get Involved?
One of the perks of green collar jobs is that many of them offer on-the-job training. So if you’re looking for an environmentally-responsible career change, or post-retirement job that can make you feel good about what you’re doing, many green collar jobs can be easily moved into. Additionally, if you want a mid-to senior-level position, those jobs are available too.
The industry is growing so rapidly that in fact it is predicted that jobs in the energy-efficient industries could grow from the currently estimated 8 million available to as many as 40 million by 2030. If you are interested in finding out where you fit in, you can visit a career consultant who can help you find your way based on your specific skills. You can, for instance, use your human resources background to become a human resources manager at a solar energy company. As the industry grows, the opportunities will be endless.
If your passion falls in line with caring for the environment then green collar work may be right for you. So take your time, explore what’s out there, and seek counseling if necessary. Then enjoy getting paid to make a difference in our world.