Top 12 Green Business Ideas for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Climate change, carbon emissions, increase in global average temperatures and similar topics are not new subjects to discuss, which is why we’re seeing more and more aspiring business owners gravitate towards more sustainable and ecological business ideas.
Starting a new business, and saving the planet at the same time, is not impossible.
In fact, being green and more ecological has become more of a prominent factor when it comes to consumers’ interest in buying a company’s products or services. People are starting to care more and more about how the products they’re buying are made and how they can affect the climate footprint.
What Is a Green Business?
A green industry business aims to use sustainable materials to manufacture its products and use as little energy, water, and other raw products as possible.
Green businesses seek ecological ways to reduce carbon emissions or utilize these products in renewable and eco-friendly methods.
Thanks to this strategy, eco-friendly businesses can lower their use of natural resources and their contribution to climate change.
A green company also understands that the decisions made regarding its operations or services can have an impact both locally and globally.
Why Go Green?
Going green not only helps the environment but has many benefits for the business itself too!
Reducing energy costs and improving operational efficiency are just a couple to name.
Top 12 Business ideas
If you’ve decided that you want to go a different way about starting up your business, and make the planet a little bit healthier, then you’re in the right place.
Here are 12 eco-friendly business ideas for green entrepreneurs.
1. Eco-friendly Retail
You can open any type of retail business that uses sustainable products and biodegradable packaging, reducing the climate footprint.
2. Organic Catering
An organic catering business is great for those with a passion for food. You can cater local or industry events with organic food locally grown ingredients. Using organic ingredients with no harmful components that damage the soil is a great way to provide the never-ending need for food consumption.
3. Ink Refill Services
You can’t as easily just reduce the number of businesses and individuals that use printers on a daily basis, but what you can do is start a business that refills ink and toner cartridges that thousands of people have to replace every time they run out.
By refilling something instead of replacing it altogether, you can have a role in reducing plastic pollution and helping the planet along the way.
4. Composting Business
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture research , In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply.
By starting a composting business, you can help take the uneaten food and turn it into nutrient-dense soil enhancers.
As a composting company, your business can gather food remains saved from companies or families and use it in gardens, nurseries, and local farms.
5. Green Beauty Salon
Hair and beauty products are notoriously known for having the harshest chemicals and other harmful materials. By starting a green beauty salon or spa, you can implement using organic products that are better for your client and the environment.
The younger generation consumers are more eco-minded and are willing to pay more for products from companies that work towards environmentally friendly plans and align with their beliefs.
6. Environmental Blog
Knowledge about how we as human beings can be more mindful when it comes to buying or using certain harmful stuff can never be enough.
If you’re someone who’s passionate about the cause, you can launch your website or blog page, helping to inform many others to become aware and hop on with you on this journey.
There are many companies with great domain name ideas and quality logo designs that can help you with launching your very own website.
7. Sustainable Events Planner
Whether your friend is having a huge wedding or a local business is hosting a corporate event, these kinds of meetings produce huge amounts of waste and consume valuable resources.
As a green event planner, you can use sustainable methods to find eco-friendly venues, caterers, accommodation, and more.
8. Eco-friendly Landscaping Services
Landscaping, in general, is a very successful and profitable business idea for many aspiring entrepreneurs since many homeowners take pride in having their exterior space in good shape.
Many fail to realize that implementing or maintaining that kind of outdoor space often generates harmful effects on you and the environment.
With starting a sustainable landscaping business, you can introduce plants that work with their natural habitat, need less care, water, and fewer pesticides.
9. Second-hand Stores
Thrifting is a perfect business option for those who want to shop a unique style and help the environment along the way.
The planet doesn’t need new virgin fabrics being produced day in and out. You can open a second-hand store that sells vintage clothes and is sustainable.
10. Climate-friendly Cleaning Products
Traditional cleaners are filled with harmful compounds and toxins. An eco-friendly business can use green products that won’t have the same effects and are more sustainable.
11. Solar Panel Installation
As a solar panel installation business, you can take clean and renewable solar energy and transform it into useable electricity.
Solar panels are particularly beneficial in rural places where power may be generated without being connected to the main electric grid. Still, they are also becoming increasingly common in new construction in urban areas.
12. Biodegradable Pet Products
When it comes to shopping for pets, owners are willing to pay large amounts of money and go all out. Unfortunately, some of these products contribute greatly to our climate footprint.
Eco-friendly pet products such as upcycled toys, compostable poop bags/cat litters, or organic pet shampoos can be great options for a more sustainable replacement.
General Tips for Green Business Owners
- Use renewable resources such as recapturing heat generated by your computers or refrigeration equipment and using it to heat your water.
- Donate material you no longer use.
- Use digital record-keeping.
- Keep an eye on your water consumption.
- Use sustainable packaging.

