Do You Believe These Myths About Going Green Friendly?

Julie Starr • April 20, 2022



Are you thinking about making your business more green-friendly ? You might think that this is going to be an uphill battle and that’s probably because you believe a few of the myths surrounding this type of change. To put your mind at ease, let’s break down some of the common misconceptions and reveal the truth behind going green in the business world today.

You Have To Do It All Yourself

One of the biggest myths surrounding green friendly companies is that you have to make the change all by yourself without any help. This isn’t true at all. One of the ways that you can make going green easier is by relying on a variety of different services. For instance, you might want to think about using scrap metal recycling solutions. If you create a lot of scrap metal as a side impact of your production processes, then it makes sense to recycle it. This is just one example of how the right service can help you be a little more green. 

It’s Going To Cost A Fortune 

Another myth or false assumption is the mindset that it’s going to cost an absolute fortune to go green. It won’t and the best example that we can give here is solar power. Solar panels used to be expensive, but time has moved on a lot since then. We’re at a different point in terms of the technology and the price it costs to produce this type of equipment. That means that solar panels are available to every size of business. More importantly,  these solar panels will pay for themselves after a couple of years. So, for all intents and purposes, they’re basically free. 

It’ll Turn Off Some Clients And Customers

Another big concern is that going green will turn off at least a few clients and customers. It’s no secret that the world is still very much divided on where priorities should be in terms of how we use power and what we do to help the planet. The good news is polls suggest that the vast majority of people want to buy from greener businesses . They want to know that they are doing everything that they can to live greener lives. So any dip in demand is likely to be minimal and you probably won’t even notice the change. 

It’s Not Worth It In The Long Term

You’ll get numerous benefits from going green in the long term. As a starting point, by going green, you will cut your energy bills down over time. Ultimately, this could result in you having to worry less about the rising fuel costs that are going to hit businesses as much as they will people. As well as this, it is likely that you will see a boost in demand for your business once you achieve the right green standards. It’s also highly likely that businesses will be punished in the future if they aren’t run to the right standards in terms of green energy. So, it’s best to get ahead of the curve now. 

You Can’t Make A Difference Anyway 

Are you under the impression that you can’t make a difference in terms of environmental changes to the planet? Well, we’re here to tell you this isn’t the case. You can make a difference and you should. It’s easy to say that individuals can’t change the path we’re on right now but companies certainly can. That includes small startups and SMEs that don’t seem to be making a huge impact. A little difference in your business model could go a long way to helping the world heal. 

Little Changes Don’t Help 

Maybe you can only afford to make small changes to your business model right now. You might think that this is pointless. However, that’s just not the case and even simple changes like switching to more energy-efficient lights could have a considerable impact on your business as a whole and the world. So, if there’s an idea you can explore to make your business a little more green, you absolutely need to explore it. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the common myths that surround the process of making your business more green-friendly. By taking the right steps, you can guarantee that your business does see the right improvements and all the benefits that come with going green. Remember, there will always be changes you can make to your business model. These are worth exploring, regardless of how small they might seem. 

 

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.