The "Venice Chamber of Commerce" has compiled a list of green business practices.  A "Green Business" is more than a good idea. It's a practical and powerful way to help create a more environmentally sustainable economy. 

Please take a few minutes and review this list of recommendations.

1) Recycling: It conserves natural resources, and saves energy.  Make it easy. Place bins or containers in locations near trashcans where employees normally would throw away recyclables.  Place signs around your office reminding employees to recycle. Use e-mails to remind everyone what your office is recycling and where the bins are located.

2) Cut back on paper: Establish policy of photocopying on both sides of the paper, e-mailing reports instead of making printed copies and saving documents on disk rather than paper. You'll save money immediately. If you cannot buy a paper product that is 100 percent recycled, look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification label. This paper comes from forests managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

3) Lower your energy needs: Encourage employees and maintenance crews to turn off lights, computers, and other devices when they are not in use, especially after hours and on weekends. Consider installing timers to cut the power after hours.

4) Buy energy-efficient equipment:  According to the Energy Cost Savings Council, the average building owner can cut energy costs up to 60% by replacing outdated, inefficient electrical equipment with new, high-tech electro-technologies, a potential savings of $1 per square foot.

5) Use energy-efficient lighting:  Examples include occupancy sensors for frequently vacant rooms; ballast upgrades and reflectors for fluorescent fixtures; compact fluorescent lights in place of incandescent bulbs; timers to turn off lighting; and energy-efficient exit signs. Many of these can pay for themselves in as little as a few months.

6) Be smart with heating and cooling: Is your building properly insulated? Are windows double paned? Do you use thermostats with timers?  Systems that are checked annually and kept in good condition use less energy, last longer and you can reduce your heating and cooling bills.

7) Green your energy sources: Contact local power providers to see if they offer electricity from renewable-energy sources such as solar and wind power.

8) Reduce and conserve water: Consider low-flow aerators for faucets, and "dams" or other devices for toilets. Fix leaky faucets and toilets ASAP.  When building or remodeling, seek out low-flow appliances and devices.  Promote water-efficient landscaping, called xeriscaping. Other outdoor water-saving practices include mulching, timed irrigation, and nighttime irrigation.