How to Add "Green" to the Bottom Line

Yet, he emphasizes that rental houses can approach the green subject from another angle, too. “Every brush you sell will take the place of 150 pads,” he notes. “Giving the customer the brush option can keep pads out of landfills. If they prefer pads, you can still get the green message across by explaining that all Powr-Flite pads are made from 100-percent recycled material.

“Our polyethylene tanks are made from recycled plastic, and rejected components during the manufacturing process are separated and recycled, to be used again. The electro-magnetic powder coating used to paint our products not only leaves a durable finish, but also reduces the amount of paint wasted during the painting process. We’ve also just released a new line of green chemicals with the Green Seal of Approval.” (Visit powr-flite.com to view the company’s green product lineup and greenseal.org for a complete list of green seal-approved products and services.)

As Englund implies, rental houses can participate in the green movement by expanding the definition of green and sustainability. Being green is not the exclusive domain of the environment. Truly sustainable companies also look for ways to improve and sustain the health of their employees and their very businesses. Ergonomic equipment design and safety features, for example, all play a role in protecting the health of operators. Floor equipment that increases productivity also adds to the bottom line, something that is of special interest to your commercial customers who are looking to sustain the health of their companies.

Then, of course, there’s the home front to consider. It’s one thing to sell green and another to practice it. This doesn’t mean you have to operate from a LEED-certified building to effectively sell green, but green “tweaks” might help convey the message across to customers. Bioswales help to filter runoff from service yards and a small rain garden can absorb water coming from roof drains. Changing to fluorescent lighting in combination with active management can seriously reduce electrical use, and an aggressive recycling program that includes recycling plastic, paper, used oil and metal is always good for the environment.

With that said, your business sustainability depends on inventory turns and if a family of green products can help attract the attention of a customer or customers, then it deserves a place on your floor and a mention from your salespeople. The nice thing? Green equipment doesn’t take up any more space than other equipment and it performs just as well. Why not take advantage of a trend that’s not a fad and something that will add green to your bottom line?

Based in Neenah, WI, Rod Dickens is a freelance writer specializing in the construction industry.