Canadian small business going green: RBC study

Half of Canadian small business owners currently have or are considering implementing a green plan or environmental policies for their business, according to an RBC small business survey conducted by Ipsos Reid.

Sixty-three per cent of small businesses that already have a plan or policies in place are more likely to concentrate on reducing energy and 31 per cent of those who are considering a green plan are more likely to focus the plan on environmental standards and 55 per cent on supply reduction.

"These results tell us that small business owners are making environmental sustainability a priority," said Mike Michell, national director, Small Business, RBC.

However, the survey also reveals that spending on existing environmental initiatives is low. Fifty-nine per cent of businesses with a green plan say that they have spent less than $500 on green initiatives in the past two years. However, as a business grows its revenue, the amount spent increases.

"Going green helps companies build goodwill with customers, employees, shareholders and the general public," said Jim Hart, national manager, Green Client Strategy, Business Financial Services, RBC.

Regional highlights include the fact that 94 per cent of small business owners in Alberta that have a green plan or are considering a plan are more likely than business owners in other regions to include recycling as part of their going green strategy but 15 per cent of them are less likely to say any plans involve or will involve pollution prevention.

Thirty-eight per cent of small business owners in Atlantic Canada are more likely to incorporate environmental standards for goods and services purchased by the company and 75 per cent are also more likely to include energy reduction strategies.

Eighty-two per cent of small business owners in British Columbia claim the have a commitment to recycling and 60 per cent are committed to reducing their energy use.

Thirty-six per cent of small business owners in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are more likely to include pollution prevention practices in their going green strategy.

Tweny-six per cent of Ontario’s small business owners are more likely to produce and sell, or to plan to produce and sell, green products and services.

Thirty-six per cent of small business owners in Quebec are most likely to reduce or plan to reduce water use or water pollution.

The poll was conducted between February 2-8, 2010 and based on online interviews with a random sampl of of 1,049 Canadian small business owners. All businesses had fewer than five employees, and annual revenues under $1 million.