Top 12 Green Business Ideas for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Julie Starr • June 2, 2021



Climate change, carbon emissions, increase in global average temperatures and similar topics are not new subjects to discuss, which is why we’re seeing more and more aspiring business owners gravitate towards more sustainable and ecological business ideas. 

Starting a new business, and saving the planet at the same time, is not impossible.

In fact, being green and more ecological has become more of a prominent factor when it comes to consumers’ interest in buying a company’s products or services. People are starting to care more and more about how the products they’re buying are made and how they can affect the climate footprint. 

What Is a Green Business?  

A green industry business aims to use sustainable materials to manufacture its products and use as little energy, water, and other raw products as possible. 

Green businesses seek ecological ways to reduce carbon emissions or utilize these products in renewable and eco-friendly methods. 

Thanks to this strategy, eco-friendly businesses can lower their use of natural resources and their contribution to climate change.  

A green company also understands that the decisions made regarding its operations or services can have an impact both locally and globally. 

Why Go Green?

Going green not only helps the environment but has many benefits for the business itself too!

Reducing energy costs and improving operational efficiency are just a couple to name.

Top 12 Business ideas  

If you’ve decided that you want to go a different way about starting up your business, and make the planet a little bit healthier, then you’re in the right place. 

Here are 12 eco-friendly business ideas for green entrepreneurs. 

1. Eco-friendly Retail

You can open any type of retail business that uses sustainable products and biodegradable packaging, reducing the climate footprint. 

2. Organic Catering

An organic catering business is great for those with a passion for food. You can cater local or industry events with organic food locally grown ingredients. Using organic ingredients with no harmful components that damage the soil is a great way to provide the never-ending need for food consumption. 

3. Ink Refill Services

You can’t as easily just reduce the number of businesses and individuals that use printers on a daily basis, but what you can do is start a business that refills ink and toner cartridges that thousands of people have to replace every time they run out. 

By refilling something instead of replacing it altogether, you can have a role in reducing plastic pollution and helping the planet along the way.  

4. Composting Business

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture research , In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply. 

By starting a composting business, you can help take the uneaten food and turn it into nutrient-dense soil enhancers.

As a composting company, your business can gather food remains saved from companies or families and use it in gardens, nurseries, and local farms.

5. Green Beauty Salon

Hair and beauty products are notoriously known for having the harshest chemicals and other harmful materials. By starting a green beauty salon or spa, you can implement using organic products that are better for your client and the environment. 

The younger generation consumers are more eco-minded and are willing to pay more for products from companies that work towards environmentally friendly plans and align with their beliefs. 

6. Environmental Blog  

Knowledge about how we as human beings can be more mindful when it comes to buying or using certain harmful stuff can never be enough. 

If you’re someone who’s passionate about the cause, you can launch your website or blog page, helping to inform many others to become aware and hop on with you on this journey. 

There are many companies with great domain name ideas and quality logo designs that can help you with launching your very own website.  

7. Sustainable Events Planner

Whether your friend is having a huge wedding or a local business is hosting a corporate event, these kinds of meetings produce huge amounts of waste and consume valuable resources. 

As a green event planner, you can use sustainable methods to find eco-friendly venues, caterers, accommodation, and more. 

8. Eco-friendly Landscaping Services

Landscaping, in general, is a very successful and profitable business idea for many aspiring entrepreneurs since many homeowners take pride in having their exterior space in good shape. 

Many fail to realize that implementing or maintaining that kind of outdoor space often generates harmful effects on you and the environment. 

With starting a sustainable landscaping business, you can introduce plants that work with their natural habitat, need less care, water, and fewer pesticides. 

9. Second-hand Stores 

Thrifting is a perfect business option for those who want to shop a unique style and help the environment along the way. 

The planet doesn’t need new virgin fabrics being produced day in and out. You can open a second-hand store that sells vintage clothes and is sustainable.  

10. Climate-friendly Cleaning Products

Traditional cleaners are filled with harmful compounds and toxins. An eco-friendly business can use green products that won’t have the same effects and are more sustainable. 

11. Solar Panel Installation

As a solar panel installation business, you can take clean and renewable solar energy and transform it into useable electricity. 

Solar panels are particularly beneficial in rural places where power may be generated without being connected to the main electric grid. Still, they are also becoming increasingly common in new construction in urban areas.

12. Biodegradable Pet Products 

When it comes to shopping for pets, owners are willing to pay large amounts of money and go all out. Unfortunately, some of these products contribute greatly to our climate footprint. 

Eco-friendly pet products such as upcycled toys, compostable poop bags/cat litters, or organic pet shampoos can be great options for a more sustainable replacement. 

General Tips for Green Business Owners 

  • Use renewable resources such as recapturing heat generated by your computers or refrigeration equipment and using it to heat your water.
  • Donate material you no longer use.
  • Use digital record-keeping. 
  • Keep an eye on your water consumption.
  • Use sustainable packaging.
By Julie Starr December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.
By Julie Starr December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
Share by: