The future's in green technology.
One of the world’s fastest growing industries, green technology gets a lot of attention. It blazes into the future fueled by government grants and ignited by passionate entrepreneurs. Some green technology companies focus on renewable energy, while others make products more sustainable. Environmentally conscious businesses use green technology and products in their daily operations.
Types
Of the many different types of green technology, green energy represents the highest priority. Green energy technology includes alternative sources of fuel and energy substitutes. Many businesses choose to build green by constructing with sustainable building materials in environmentally sound locations. Businesses looking to go green the easy way can simply buy green alternatives to everyday products: Restaurants can replace aging dishwashers with new, energy-efficient ones, or offices could choose to buy only recycled paper.
Features
Extraordinary green technology overhauls involve complete, sustainable energy renovation. This could include installing solar panels or switching to wind power. Less drastic business technologies incorporate energy-efficient appliances or use energy meters on already existing machines. Green technology implements alternatives that are better for the environment than what was used before or introduces entirely new ways to protect the earth.
Effects
Green products and processes attract today’s consumers. Some entrepreneurs' entire businesses revolve around green technologies. Years ago the world saw an industrial revolution when business rushed to create the best machines. Now the world turns to the green revolution to create and use the greenest and cleanest technology.
Considerations
Some green technology is less expensive than its non-green counterpart. For example, recycled printer cartridges cost around 30 percent less than printer cartridges made from all-new parts (as of June 2010). Other green technology, such as recycled office supplies, may cost more, but with consistent patronage the manufacturers can lower their prices.
Potential
Aware of the importance and value of green technology, the U.S. Department of Energy offers grants to companies that research and innovate alternative energy sources. The U.S. government’s Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer award research and development grants to businesses that work toward environmental solutions.
