Support Positive
Business Practices

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How to take action

• Talk to your local business people. Tell shopkeepers and other businesses you frequent, that you appreciate and notice their sustainable business practices and that you are supportive of them.
• Encourage local businesses and shopping malls to institute energy saving programs.
• Ask questions. Engage retailers about their business practices, their use of lights and heat, their transportation and purchasing policies. Showing interest lets businesses know that their customers care about these issues and stimulates change.
• Let retailers know you are looking for local products, and help them find suppliers if it's something specific you're looking for.

Why it makes a difference

• Businesses can only survive with the support of their customers. By choosing to support sustainable businesses, you are helping to raise standards and stimulate better ecological and social business policies.
• Most of the world's energy, transportation, and much of its infrastructure is used in doing business. By selecting the kinds of business practices you will support, you are making a small step toward influencing how these resources are used. However, your purchasing power is not nearly as great as as the strength of your voice. Don't forget to vote, write or call local government representatives, attend public meetings, donate to not for profit groups, and get involved in issues in your community. That's where you can really make a difference.