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With each passing year, people become more and more environmentally conscious, and so have business owners. A lot of us have already taken big steps to reduce the environmental impacts of our brands, but what if you could go all the way and get certified? Certification shows your customers that you are dedicated to this cause and gives you the opportunity to appeal to more people who want to shop green.
Becoming Green America certified ,,,, To get started, let’s first break down what it means to be a green brand, how this benefits you, and whether or not your brand is likely to meet the standards required for certification.
What Does it Mean to Be An Eco-Friendly Brand?
Before you apply, you need to know what it means to be an eco-friendly brand and decide whether or not your brand and mission matches the description. While upcycled packaging and hemp products are some things that people associate with eco-friendly brands, the certification process is far more in-depth and requires several specific things.
According to AAAA, five components that make up an eco-friendly brand are green procurement, reducing energy consumption, sustainable packaging, consumer incentives, and building sustainable relationships. By focusing on these aspects of your online shop, you can ensure that every part of your brand is sustainable and ready to be evaluated by Green America.
How Does Being a Green America Certified Brand Benefit You?
As Green America themselves put it,
“In 1982, Green America started helping businesses succeed by going green. We have reviewed over 8,000 small green businesses and offer one of the oldest and most reputable assurance programs for small businesses committed to social and environmental responsibility.”
Green America
Certification is beneficial to brands because it shows customers the dedication you have to helping the planet and as handmade sellers, it helps you to stand apart from competition as well as offers marketing opportunities only available to certified shops. Marketing benefits include a listing in the National Green Pages, business conventions for certified brands, and marketing opportunities that can reach as many as 200,000 consumers each time.
The 4 Business Standards to Become Green America Certified
When going through the Green America certification process, these are the main business standards that companies need to consider and be prepared to showcase in order to get approval:
- They operate a “values-based” social enterprise according to principles of social justice and environmental sustainability (values statement must be featured on website);
- They are environmentally responsible in the way they run their operations and facilities (view green office/facility standards), and in how they source raw materials, manufacture products, and market them;
- They are currently selling products or services when applying for Green Business Certification (completed website with all products/services listed);
- They are socially equitable and committed to extraordinary practices that benefit workers, customers, communities, and the environment;
What Industries are Eligible for Certification?
From apparel brands and event planners to transportation and electronic businesses, nearly every industry is able to apply to get certified. In fact, one of the big upsides to this is that small businesses can easily find other brands in their industry that are already certified and reach out for points before applying.
Lastly, Here’s how to Apply Today
To apply, simply check out the certification process page on Green America and fill out the first form to begin your journey. It’s truly as simple as that. If you want to see what other companies are certified, check out the ecolabel index.
By investing in yourself, you’re not just helping your brand expand but helping our environment and those that care the most about it. If you apply for green certification, we’d love to hear about your experience!
