Sustainable Business Ideas

Going green isn’t just the hip thing to do: it’s socially responsible, it’s future-proof, it can save our planet, and it can make you a lot of money!

Sustainable business ideas are the future and getting in on the ground floor is a great way to make money and have a positive impact on the environment.

Green Business Ideas

Any business can be eco-friendly, but we have created a list of some of our favorite green businesses. We are sure one of them is bound to inspire you.

Even if you don’t see your favorite green business idea on this list, try and incorporate some of the environmentally friendly ideas and green themes into your own unique idea.

1. Green Cleaning Products Business

As we learn more and more about the chemicals in standard household cleaners and their impact on the environment, consumer demand for green cleaning products has risen. A green cleaning products business produces and sells eco-friendly cleaning supplies, offering individuals and businesses a safe alternative for cleaning their homes and offices.

Learn how to start a green cleaning products business.

2. Green Beauty Product Business

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health reports that there are over nine hundred toxins and chemicals in today’s standard cosmetics and skincare products. As we learn more and more about what these chemicals do to our bodies and our environment, many consumers are turning to natural products. Green beauty product business owners offer innovations in beauty care, producing and selling it to the public.

Learn how to start a green beauty products business.

3. Responsible Landscaping Business

Responsible landscaping businesses are looking to integrate green solutions into the traditional business model of the landscaping industry. In addition to supplying management and beautification to trees, shrubs, flowers, turf, and mulch, green wise businesses look for ecologically sensitive options for plants, pesticides, fertilizers, and other landscaping supplies.

Learn how to start a responsible landscaping business.

4. Carbon Offsetting Business

Carbon offsetting is the practice of purchasing carbon credits for carbon dioxide emissions which, in turn, help fund projects to reduce carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. This practice works to reduce the carbon emissions and carbon footprints of businesses and organizations.

In essence, a business “buys out” their carbon emissions by paying a fee, which goes to fund programs and initiatives that work to support renewable energy plans and methods or ways to capture harmful greenhouse gasses, such as methane.

Learn how to start a carbon offsetting business.

5. Energy Consulting Company

Projects for energy consulting companies on a smaller scale include conducting an energy audit of a single-family home. Larger commercial projects include making recommendations for large data centers that use massive amounts of electricity, government organizations with many public buildings, and major national companies with multiple locations.

Energy consulting companies provide energy audit reports to their clients that make specific recommendations for energy conservation and improved efficiency. They also provide information to clients about possible tax incentives for investing in alternative energy systems. Some companies in this sector sell, install, and maintain equipment such as solar panels, wind farms, geothermal systems, and bioenergy projects.

Learn how to start an energy consulting business.

6. Reusable Grocery Bags

A reusable grocery bag business looks to supply durable and decorative grocery bags, designed for multiple uses, to help reduce the reliance on plastic grocery bags. As more consumers decide to ditch the plastic bags, options for reusable shopping bags will become more and more popular.

Some stores already require customers to bring their own bags with them for their shopping experiences. Reusable grocery bags are a great example of eco-friendly products that helps make consumers lives easier and less wasteful.

Learn how to start a reusable grocery bag business.

7. Insect Farm

An insect farm, which can be managed on both a small and large scale, is a farm that breeds and raises insects. The commodities these insects produce can be used to make everything from candles to silk. Additionally, insect farmers sell their “product” as farm feed, for human consumption, as pollinators, and as natural pesticides.

Learn how to start an insect farm business.

8. Community Garden

A community garden is an area of land on which members of the community can grow and harvest plants. Today’s community garden businesses rent out small, pre-specified portions of the garden to interested parties. Gardeners can plant flowers, crops, and similar plants. 

A lot of community gardens are watched by volunteer employees. Many have dedicated members, too. Because a community garden is a “group effort,” they often have in-depth membership criteria while offering a variety of membership options.

Any individual who enjoys gardening, running a garden, planting or harvesting crops is perfect for a community garden. Individuals who live in urban areas, too, are a good fit. Because community gardens can exist in urban or rural areas, those who thrive in crowded areas may find a home in a community garden. A successful community garden owner loves exploring the many variations of seeds, plants, and gardening options. Additionally, community garden owners can become part of The American Community Garden Association.

Learn how to start a community garden business.

9. Pumpkin Farm

Also called a pumpkin patch, a pumpkin farm is a place to harvest pumpkins. Pumpkins are priced by weight, and a lot of pumpkin farms sell other seasonal products like corn, apples, and Halloween decorations. Other pumpkin patches offer entertainment, like corn mazes and hayrides.

The pumpkin farm business is great for farmers, Halloween-lovers, and those with a “green thumb.” If you like planting and selling crops, a pumpkin patch is a great business to own. Owners should be people-oriented, and they should love bargaining. A good pumpkin patch owner will also have a love for Jack-O-Lanterns and everything else Halloween-oriented.

Learn how to start a pumpkin farm business.

10. Greenhouse Business

Homeowners, business owners, and even some apartment tenants shop at greenhouses. These businesses typically sells plants, flowers, vegetables, seeds and items related to gardening/landscaping.

If you have a “green thumb”, this is the ideal business. You should have an in-depth knowledge of flowers, plants, vegetables, seeds, and gardening equipment. Furthermore, you should have a passion for cultivating everything green. The best greenhouse business owners understand the intricacies of growing plants, flowers, produce, and just about everything else that comes out of the ground.

Learn how to start a greenhouse business.

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11. Mushroom Farm

Mushroom farm businesses specialize in growing mushrooms. These mushrooms are used by customers for either medicinal or culinary purposes, depending on the type of mushroom grown. Additionally, they may be sold wholesale to clients or at retail prices.

Anyone who enjoys working with their hands and interacting with people may be well-suited for running a mushroom farm business. Growing mushrooms is a hands-on task, and having an ability to connect with people can help business owners share their product with potential customers.

Learn how to start a mushroom farm business.

12. Hydroponic Farm

A hydroponic farm business grows and sells plants, vegetables, grass, and other forms of greenery to businesses and individuals. Examples of such businesses include grocery stores and restaurants. The twist to this style of business is water solvent is used to grow the plants rather than soil.

Hydroponic farm businesses are usually located indoors. In many instances, these indoor environments are greenhouses.

This business is an excellent way to give back to the community. Hydroponic farm business owners provide people with high-quality, nutritious, and tasty produce. These businesses also grow lovely flowers and other forms of greenery that beautify the local community. Furthermore, hydroponic farm businesses benefit the local environment as they are environmentally-friendly compared to conventional methods of farming.

Learn how to start a hydroponic farm business.

13. Botanical Garden

A botanical garden typically refers to an outdoor space where different species of plant life are grown and cultivated. The land may be used for research, conservation, public beautification, or some combination thereof. Botanical gardens may also build a greenhouse space where growing conditions can be controlled year-round.

The ideal owner will have a passion for botany. Whether they’re growing plants for scientific research or to share with the community, they should understand how new species and hybrids can fulfill the overall mission of their organization.

Learn how to start a botanical garden business.

14. Herb Farm

In 2016, for the first time, Americans spent more money eating out than on groceries. During the same year, we paid more than a staggering 110 billion dollars for food in this country. Whether we are cooking at home or going out to eat, it is clear we love to eat and we are willing to pay for it.

Entrepreneurs who are interested in farming can earn a good living by supplying fresh culinary herbs to restaurants, retail stores, and directly to consumers.

Starting an herb farm is a great business for anyone who is interested in farming. One of the great things about herb farming is owners do not need acres and acres of land or even operate their herb farm full-time to be profitable. A small herb farm makes a wonderful part-time business for stay-at-home persons, a retired couple, or even a dedicated high-school student.

Learn how to start an herb farm business.

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15. Organic Hygiene Product Business

These days people are living healthier lives. Most of us are trying to eat better, reduce waste, recycle more and use natural products. An organic hygiene products business is perfectly positioned to provide people with all-natural soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, and feminine hygiene products.

Most successful organic hygiene products business are run by people passionate about the products they sell and who are actively involved in a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. There is no room for phonies in this business since your customers will be quick to identify unwholesome ingredients that may have found their way into your product line. An organic hygiene product business demands a full-time schedule, so owners need to have a deep dedication to this green business even if it is only a secondary source of income.

Learn how to start an organic hygiene business.

Learn more about starting a business by visting the U.S. Small Business Administration.

16. Packaging Design Business

A packaging design business enhances packages with visual graphics while also designing existing product packages. A package design business, ultimately, protects products for sale, transportation, distribution, storage, and use. A package’s design includes both its structural and aesthetic design.

Ideally, a package design will be enhanced by graphics. In most cases, a package’s design is product-centric. From all angles, a package exists to serve the product.

The package design business is great for creative individuals. Products need both physical protection and visual representation, and a package can do both. A successful package design business owner will have a good perspective for branding, packaging, and forward-thinking designs.

Learn how to start a packaging design business.

17. Medical Marijuana Dispensary

Medical marijuana dispensaries legally purchase marijuana from vendors and sell it to physician-approved patients. Dispensaries have a physician on the board of directors to ensure that patient treatment adheres to standard accepted practices. 

They also have highly trained staff who are continually educated about the many different strains and forms of cannabis and their medicinal purposes. Those forms include vapor, tinctures, balms, oils, juices, and edibles. A medical marijuana dispensary provides patients with an alternative to painkillers and other drugs that can have harmful side effects when used long-term.

This business is ideal for people who are passionate about alternative medicine and have a strong desire to help others. Those who have worked in the medical field are often drawn to this business since the goal is to alleviate the severity of symptoms associated with many medical conditions that adversely affect quality of life.

Learn how to start a medical marijuana dispensary.

18. Irrigation Business

Plenty of everyday people and businesses require irrigation systems. From homeowners to farmers, public properties, athletic fields, and beyond, there is no shortage of customers who need top-notch watering systems. Those who reside in particularly arid areas that receive minimal rain require year-round irrigation.

This is the perfect business for someone who is familiar with the intricacies of lawn treatment, landscaping, farming, athletic field maintenance, and other green spaces. Individuals who have experience maintaining green spaces and other areas with grass, trees, shrubs and/or crops will likely thrive in the irrigation business.

Learn how to start an irrigation business.

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