Green certifications are not children’s games. While they were optional before, they have grown in relevance to the point of being mandatory. This is particularly true if you are a company in the surplus industry or an entrepreneur trying to get into the market.
Companies that show they care about the environment and follow eco-friendly or circular economy practices are given the certifications.
The reason why they weren’t really mandatory before lies in how the processes worked and priorities. It wasn’t popular to worry about the planet as a whole either.
Today, everyone is worried about the planet and consumers are included in this group.
They care about companies following eco-friendly practices and being certified for it. It is also mandatory for companies in the surplus industry due to the whole nature of the market and area.
Does this mean that every company in the industry needs to get certified? It can vary depending on the area. However, we highly recommend it.
At Coastal Surplus Solutions, we can tell you it is a massive benefit, as it proves how serious you are about sustainability. This brings more businesses your way and improves your reputation.
We speak from our own experience.
What Are Green Certifications?
A green certification means a company meets certain standards for protecting the environment.
These standards can include using less energy, reducing waste, recycling materials, and lowering pollution. Since the standards are many, the specific certification you can get also varies.
There are options that only focus on how much waste you reduce, while others cover the entire spectrum depending on the standards established.
Certifications are usually given by trusted third parties like government agencies or nonprofit groups after checking the company’s practices.
Therefore, no, not all of them work.
You need to find the agency or group that is assigned to those certifications, work with them, and ensure the certification is valid nationwide or worldwide even.
A few options include the ISO standards around eco-friendly practices, which are needed in any country.
Why You Should Prioritize Green Certifications
While it feels optional with some ideas and businesses, you do benefit as a whole.
The most important aspect is how you build trust. Customers and partners want to work with people and companies that do care about the environment. A certification is the best way to show it.
Other benefits include:
- Meeting rules in environmental laws and specific compliance.
- Saving money with green practices, and how you learn to cut costs. This is even mentioned by the Green Living Blog, which estimates a 25% cost reduction thanks to green practices.
- Stand out due to certifications that are worth adding to your profile.
- Supporting growth around clients and partners that care.
There is no overall disadvantage that screams, “don’t do it.”
Popular Green Certifications for Surplus Companies
Don’t know where to start? The best certifications that will give you your money and time’s worth are the Green Business Certification and the ISO 14001.
The first is recognized in all the United States and, to keep it regional, in Florida. You won’t have issues with partners or trying to comply with regulations and laws.
ISO 14001 is more on the international level.
You can get certified in environmental management systems and work around the world without issues.
Other options and certifications are amazing to get started, but these two save you the hassle of going for more.
Feel free to contact us at Coastal Surplus Solutions and inquire about the process and what you should focus on.
You can also rely on our main services for surplus sourcing and streamlining logistics.
