Going green benefits the environment, but it also adds green to your business’s bottom line.
Businesses from all five boroughs displayed both their environmental friendliness and their economic viability at the Queens Chamber of Commerce Second Annual Green Business Summit, at Queens College on Friday, February 19.
Chamber President Albert Pennisi said that companies have a lot to gain from embracing a green philosophy in their businesses. Everybody wants to raise capital, and Pennisi believes “green” means “go.”
“There are ways to save money, grow your business and develop your business by going green,” said Pennisi. “You are doing something for the environment and your company at the same time.”
KLEAR Electrical Corp. knows first hand all about carving out a niche for itself while also being environmentally conscious. The Long Island City-based company services commercial, industrial and residential electrical needs while integrating products that can help their customers save both money and the ecological system.
“We are here to educate people on how to use energy efficient products to their benefit and to the benefit of the city overall,” said Thomas Dilillo, vice president of sales for KLEAR. “If we all start to make little changes now, it will be a big change for everybody later on.”
The big change means reducing our carbon footprint and giving the planet a little more breathing room; thereby improving the air that we breathe, Dilillo suggests. To affect his change, Clean Air NY wants employers to use their reach and encourage their employees to take proactive steps toward living green.
“We want businesses to let their employees know that they can do things like carpool, bike, walk, take mass transit or vanpool to work on Air Quality Action days,” said Frank Mongioi, Jr., Marketing & Outreach Manager for Clean Air NY. “Everybody can pitch in, do a little something wherever they can and take these initiatives and steps that ultimately will help to improve our air quality.”
Besides teaching people how to live in a green environment, some businesses want to teach people how to work in a green environment. Safflyn Corporation does just that by training and developing workers in a green world.
“Let’s get on board with the Green Thing,” said Chief Human Capital Advisor Officer for Safflyn Corp., Eral Burks. “That is where the future is going. We want to train people for the new green business environment.”
The new green business environment, according to Pennisi, is one that has the double benefit of saving the environment while also giving businesses new sources of revenue.
“Going green keeps businesses viable in today’s economy,” said Pennisi. “In learning about new products and programs can make them money. So besides helping the environment, they are helping themselves stay in business.
