Business Savvy

Go Green

Earth Day is April 22. It is a day to remind people to protect the planet and plant trees, it is an opprotunity for businesses to be reminded of the importance of recycling and conserving.

While some convservation efforts are good on the wallet, other apects of recycling will impress planet savey consumers... Did you know most newspapers are printed on recylced paper? No, that is not a shameless plug for my company (thank you for the pay check). If I said I found out that the Parkersburg News is probably the largest recycler of paper in the area, that would be a shameless plug.

It is important that businesses offer to recycle cans and bottles for employees in addition to paper recycling. Some people who purchase stock will check a company's history with the environment before the purchase. The purchaser wants to know that the company is trying to improve the planet, not just the pocket book.

Recently, there's been a trend of green companies and companies creating green products are increasing their business.

My father purchased stock through his companies 401K about 15 years ago. He put about 25 percent of his portfolio in the green fund. While checking it several weeks ago, he said in recent years, the green fund has remained more consistant than any other fund.

So on Earth Day, I'll encourage everyone to lift a glass in honor of Mother Earth. Or better yet, just plant a tree.