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Hermann Miller:

Herman Miller, in efforts to both increase the level of happiness and productivity of the employees, had set a guideline to its buildings. The guideline stated that the occupant should not have to move more than 75 feet to get to a window. The guideline led to numerous benefits. The company had saved a significant amount on their electricity bills and, although subjective, had increased the level of happiness and productivity of their employees – Daylight is a source of vitamin D.

REI:

REI, as an outdoor gear retailer, brought some sense into the design of their retail stores when they provided dressing rooms for the customers that used daylight instead of fluorescent. Besides the fact that the dressing room mimicked the real environment better than fluorescent bulbs, the retailer saved great electricity expenses. Also, the retail stores of REI floored their spaces with carpeting made from recycled tires and shoe soles. The retail stores also offered a shower booth for their employees in order to encourage them to bike to work instead of driving.

Caterpillar:

Caterpillar has been remanufacturing engines and its components in their effort to be eco-friendly. The heavy equipment giant takes back broken components and filters the components down to its minimal element which is then sold to other manufactures as raw material. The components they do save require newly manufactured parts in order to function, but the recycled part alone saves up a significant amount resources. The giant’s effort can be seen in result; a 50% reduction in their liquid waste from 9 million pounds per year to 4.5 million pounds per year. The giant also joins local 4th graders on earth day, as well as a day they created called “amnesty day.” On this day the locals can bring hazardous materials such as paint thinners that they do not need anymore and Caterpillar helps dispose of such chemicals safely.

Amazon:

When shopping on Amazon.com, products come in oversized plastic bag packaging that is further protected inside a box of high gloss and fancy prints. Amazon saw a potential in marketing towards the now growing green consumer demographics and has reintroduced the plain brown box with a simple logo printed on it. The company believed that a single box was enough of a protection for various contents sold through their website, as well as a less of an annoyance for the consumer to open. The box is made of 100% recycled material which also is a plus. So far, the company only carries nine different products in their new eco-friendly packaging, but results come, the company intends to widen the use of their new package design internationally.

Whole Foods:

Besides banning plastic bags and bringing back paper bags and motivating users to use reusable bags by providing them with cheap bags made out of recycled bottles, Whole Foods has been making other efforts to become eco friendly. The grocery chain has set strict requirements for products to be carried in their stores, such as environmental practices, and the treatment of their labor workers. In trade, the company offers higher pay for the products. As the green conscious demographic keeps growing, the CEO of Whole Foods found it an opportunity to give the shoppers the opportunity to pitch in to the green movement. The company charges premium price for the consumer, in exchange for their effort to better the practices of the land and business owners responsible for the products being carried in Whole Foods.