Go for the green

I was standing in line at a local
paint store when the gentleman in front of me started
ranting about the futility of
green initiatives.

“It’s just a waste of time,” the
guy pined. “It’s not as if any of
this stuff is going to make a difference.”

I noticed an advertisement on
the counter promoting a new,
sustainable product the company
was selling and realized the guy
was offering up his two cents.

The store manager ringing up
his purchase nodded her head
and politely offered a few brief
comments before handing the
man his receipt and bag and
turning her attention to me.
Negative Ned lingered another
moment, ranting, while I fought
my instincts to prolong the conversation and debate
him on the merits of
sustainability.

Finally, he left.

Once he was gone,
the manager apologized and began
explaining how her
company was very
much committed to
sustainability.

It’s become trendy these days
to promote your organization’s
green initiatives, but that doesn’t
lessen either the impact or the
importance of these programs
and policies.

This month, Smart Business
presents its annual Evolution of
Manufacturing Awards and
Conference. Our 2009 theme is
“going green,” and the honorees
who will receive awards represent a diverse group
of manufacturers
that contribute to
the green revolution.

You can learn
more about what
these organizations
are doing as well as
read a special interview with Dallas billionaire T. Boone
Pickens in our cover story package that begins on page 30. In
the meantime, here are two initiatives from our 2009 honorees
that grabbed my attention: