Survey: Businesses Owned by Women Go Green

March 28, 2008
A Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) survey of female business owners indicates that the majority of woman-owned businesses are on the path to becoming environmentally friendly.

Of the 1,200 women business owners who responded to the survey, 71 percent are working to make their businesses greener. They strive to make environmental improvements in the following ways:

  • Sixty percent of women business owners are “greening” their products;
  • A total of 63 percent are applying company policies and procedures to have an active impact on environmental effects of their businesses;
  • On a scale of 1-5, more than 36 percent of business owners ranked education a number 4 or 5 as a technique they are incorporating greener initiatives into the company; and
  • Twenty-three percent are focusing on philanthropy in an attempt to go green.

Approximately 22 percent of survey participants expressed an intent to help their business go green, but have not yet decided how they will do so.

Giving Back and Going Global

In addition to their dedication to running greener companies, 53 percent of woman business owners donate between 1 and 5 percent of company profits to charities. They also ranked giving more money to philanthropic organizations as their third highest priority for 2008.

And female business owners give back to their employees, too. Nearly 40 percent reported that they reinvest their profits in hiring and compensating staff first.

Finally, a quarter of woman-owned businesses have gone global or are in the process of going global. Survey results indicated that globalization was the top priority for women business owners.

"A mere 1.6 percent of the respondents said going global isn't possible, which illustrates how women businesses believe they can do anything,” said Linda Denny, WBENC president and CEO.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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