In the past few years, consumers have been opting for eco-friendly products. This change has encouraged businesses to follow suit and adapt the same principles. The push is not only helping their bottom dollar, but improving the environment simultaneously. Additionally, many of these companies reap the rewards of tax breaks as well.

Ford Motor Company has been at the forefront of a green initiative. In addition to releasing several fuel efficient vehicles which includes the first clean diesel engine, Ford has dominated the flex fuel market, allowing vehicle owners to chose between gasoline and E85 Ethanol fuels. Since the introduction of the EcoBoost feature in 2009, Ford has seen a drastic improvement in sales. The Ford Escape features interior fabric materials made of recycled plastic bottles and scrap cotton that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Several of their facilities are also adapting green policies. Geothermal cooling systems, sustainable landscaping, and a system that turns volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paint into fuel have all been utilized in various plants. The Dearborn, MI location even boasts the Guinness record for World's
Largest Living Roof which not only provides stronger insulation, but is estimated to last twice as long as standard roofing.

Japanese automaker, Toyota, has been rated as the #2 ecological car company, according to Interbrand. In addition to the Prius, Toyota offers four other vehicles in a hybrid model. They also have the all electric iQ EV, a fuel cell vehicle called FCV, and a plugin hybrid that they are continually working on. In addition to creating eco-friendly vehicles, the company has instituted green policies like reforestation and grant programs aimed at rehabilitating the environment. Additionally, they have adopted a stewardship program called Toyota Green Initiative that partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to educate students and alumni about the benefits of going green.

Ice cream giant Ben & Jerry's is known to utilize green practices. They initiated a project called Caring Dairy to encourage sustainable practices within the dairy farms they utilize. The company has also invested heavily in alternative energy sources including solar and wind, as well as carbon neutrality programs. In their Netherlands facility, the company recently installed a anaerobic floatation reactor called The Chunkinator. The machine uses ice cream waste to create biogas, creating enough energy to create 16 million pints of ice cream. The machine not only reduces their carbon footprint, but drastically cuts energy expenses since energy is now sourced internally.

Ben & Jerry's parent company, Unilever, utilizes green practices across the board. The company institutes a four step practice to reduce greenhouse gasses, water usage, waste, and packaging while utilizing sustainable sourcing. As one of the world's largest purchaser of palm oil, they have been a large contributor to deforestation, however the company is moving towards sustainable practices which will also reduce greenhouse gases. Unilever oversees many food, beauty, and cleaning product companies including Dove, Knorr, Lipton, Bertolli, and St. Ives.

Many hotels like Marriott have instituted green policies which they encourage their guests to participate. Marriott were the first hotel company to design and build a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified hotel. So far the company has 31 LEED-certified hotels and 106 LEED-registered hotels. Energy efficient lighting, water conserving shower heads, and sustainable linen practices have been implemented. More than 60 of their locations across the globe feature electric vehicle charging stations, encouraging their customers to consider green initiatives as well.

These green practices aren't strictly for product companies. Schools from grade school to college across the country are utilizing eco-friendly practices as well. Schools are retrofitting lighting and installing water conservation systems. AM Conservation Group points out that a recent survey by The Princeton Review, called 2014 College Hopes & Worries Survey, found that 61 percent of respondents consider a college's commitment to green practices before enrolling. The large benefit of school-based programs is the ability to educate the students in the process. The energy consumption cost reduction allows schools to focus funds onto programs that benefit the students as well.

As more consumers seek green products and services, more companies are taking green initiatives. A Edelman goodpurpose study found that 72 percent of people would use and recommend a product from an environmentally conscious company over other companies. Consumers are influencing companies all over the planet to adapt green practices. By publicly announcing the initiatives their taking, companies are increasing profit while making a change for the environment.

Written by Jane Brown