Clean fuel groups and other green companies are big business, and there's no better way to rejuvenate your small business and draw in more customers than by greening it up. An enormous amount of information on alternate fuels organizations is on the Web. However, finding reputable sources is not always easy, and parsing out the reliable sources from the not-so-reliable ones is important for any modern business owner.

Branching out by deciding to sell green products or to use them yourself in the day-to-day running of your business is a great way to help both yourself and Earth's people. Associating your small company with groups for alternative fuel usage is one way to get started.

Here are ideas to make your business eco-friendly:

1. Look for advice on ways to save energy in small ways every day.

2. Consider powering your small business by investing in alternative energy sources, like solar power, or by investing in energy-saving machinery and equipment approved by a clean fuel council or similar organization.

3. Educate your customers concerning the reasons you are choosing to use alternative fuels and other sustainable practices, and the existence of various alternative fuel organizations. When dealing with your business, they will understand the impact their choice has on the wider world.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use the Internet to find information on alternative fuel organizations and other energy-saving tips

Finding little ways to save energy every day is a tactic that goes hand-in-hand with using alternative sources of energy when it comes to making your small business more eco-friendly, and it's easier than you think! The government and various other organizations for alternative fuel usage have a great deal of easily accessible (and free) information on this topic all over the Web.

I recommend: The Get Energy Active website of the Edison Electric Institute is full of energy-saving tips, including how to get incentives from your electric company for doing your part in using electricity wisely. For other consumer resources about saving energy, check out the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's website on the subject, which is full of links and tips.

Find ways to power your everyday business activities while supporting an alternative fuels group

While investing in these groups is an option, there are many more ways to associate yourself and your business with these kinds of groups. One way is to purchase machinery or other products approved by an alternative fuels association that are earth-friendly while still being able to help you run your business more efficiently than ever.

I recommend: Find energy-saving and eco-friendly products to run your business at GE's ecomagination website. Alternatively, if you're willing to invest capital in greening your business, consider a more radical approach, such as switching to an alternative power source like solar to power your business activities. Locate additional information about increasingly affordable solar power at Power-Save Energy Co. , as well as at the websites of numerous other organizations for alternative fuels.

Point your customers and employees toward information on an alternative fuels group

Especially if you're thinking about investing your company's revenues in a clean fuel organization (or a fund that includes many), both your employees and your clients deserve to be well-informed about which funds you are choosing to invest in or support and why.

I recommend: The American Trust Energy Alternatives Fund is one fund you might consider investing in if you are looking for a fund that encompasses a wide variety of companies across a wide geographical area. CleanPower.org is another great website from the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies for those on the West Coast seeking more information on renewable energy and related trends.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your business is large enough that it invests in other companies and/or offers stock options to its employees, consider moving some of your investments to these alternate fuel organizations, or at least to large companies that support them and their mission.
• •  Think about even going as far as printing up informational pamphlets or other materials on a clean fuel organization you're particularly enthusiastic about, to educate and motivate your customer base.