Some of the names on the Green Retailer list announced last week might be a surprise, but the things they have in common are not: An environmental champion in high-level management, and an environmentally conscious ethos running throughout the company.

While the main effects of environmental efforts can be measured in waste flows, energy and transportation budgets and eventually the bottom line, none of these things is possible without leadership and dedicated eco-specific positions in the company. If you don’t have a green czar (or green evangelist, eco-guru, sustainability manager, etc.) in your organization, it’s going to be tough to see the benefits. What a great way to contribute to job recovery! If you don’t currently have someone in a dedicated position like this, why not now?

Your company can join the likes of Mountain Equipment Co-op, IKEA, Walmart, Home Depot, H-E-B, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Monoprix, Carrefour, Aeon, and Woolworths. Maybe. These eco-friendly retailers that made the list this year have proven themselves with alternative energy production (solar and geothermal have proven most popular), substantial cradle-to-grave recycling programs, supply-chain management and internal education.

But, as has been pointed out before, “there has to be a commitment and passion from the CEO or senior management in order to implement sustainable practices,” researcher Wendy Evans from Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Retail Management in Toronto, Canada, said in a statement. Get yours today and get started.

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Tags: green business, green retail, sustainable business