The Green Movement is becoming a large issue in many communities around the country. The questions that I often hear from contractors is, “should we, as a company, get involved or is this a fad?” The answer to the second part of this question is easier to answer. The Green Movement is not a fad, it is a movement that has begun to take over the landscape industry with great zeal. The more difficult question is how much of a commitment to the Green Movement should your company make and how expensive is this commitment? The cost of commitment to the Green Movement is a bigger issue than whether it is a fad because customers are asking about your companies commitment to the movement. You need to develop a strategy to help your sales people answer the question for your customers.

The cost of converting to a Green Company can be substantial. You can purchase vehicles that are electric, eliminatie all paper in your company, these things can be expensive, but there are ways that you can contribute to the movement without it costing your company an arm and a leg. For example, as a maintenance company you may start composting the green debris that is collected each day, using it for soil conditioner or mulch. The commitment is to find a location on your property and turning the material twice per month. The cost can be as much as you are willing to invest, if you purchase a tub grinder then the commitment and the cost go up substantially.

There are ways to invest in the Green Movement that can be done with a slower conversion than purchasing all new vehicles. For example, start by purchasing small equipment that runs quieter and with less emissions. Think about a paperless system for your company. The cost is in the training and not necessarily the equipment or devices to complete this change. Things as simple as routing and scheduling your crews can contribute to the “greening” of your company. Have employees report to a job site using time recording devices that are cellphone driven.

This is a movement that is not going away, and it can contribute to cost saving if implemented correctly and with consideration for your company culture. This is a change in company culture that will require a commitment from upper management. It will require that upper management support this movement and contribute to the buy-in of the employees.

Don’t miss the opportunity to market the change in your company to the public. The Green Movement is here to stay you can either buy-in to it or watch it pass you by.