Green & Sustainable Business Ventures: For Entrepreneurs & Investors
Jameson Morris, Jesse Richardson, and Bjorn Borstelmann, the 20-something entrepreneurs sought to connect subscribers with small and large purpose-driven businesses working to make a difference on environmental and social levels. Thus the Conscious Box was born, the subscription service that delivers curated boxes filled with eco-friendly, fair trade, and organic goods right to subscribers’ doorsteps.
Ever wondered how to recycle your old cellphones or other home electronics, without the hassle, while making some money out of it? You are not alone. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the average U.S. household now owns 26 different consumer electronic devices for a staggering total of nearly 3 billion devices in all, many of which are no longer in use.
Almost all consumer electronics contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, arsenic and a broad variety of other materials that pose a threat to the environment and health. Now multiple these hazards by 3 billion! Concerned now?
For years the American public has professed to care about the environment, yet their purchasing decisions did not reflect this value. Consumers have decried labor conditions, yet sought the lowest-price option for goods. The sustainability community in the United States has long called for a consumer awakening to the fact that each time they make a purchase, they are ‘voting with their dollars’ –supporting practices, governments and policies that they dislike in survey after survey.
That is why I have watched with growing interest as Occupy demonstrations began and have grown from New York to more than 150 cities across the country and around the world. Using social media, I reached out to participants and organizers (I was admonished not to use the term ‘leaders’ as their role was to convene, not to direct) of the various movements. And what I found surprised me.
Heard of a business plan lately that combines form+function+business sense? Scott Amron, a celebrated artist and engineer has done just that! With a reputation for creating innovative and clever products, Scott has devised a simple but innovative fruit sticker that dissolves into soap and helps clean the produce its on!
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