The entrepreneurs magazine, Inc.com, featured a great spread on the green revolution called “The Green 50”. These 50 Green Companies are a collection of entrepreneurial businesses that are showing what it means to attack the most pressing problems of our time – and making a few bills along the way. I’ve highlighted a few companies in the categories below, but I strongly urge you to page through the slide show featuring the 50 Companies during your lunch break. If I had to pick a favorite?
Well, it’s tough, but I really like Zipcar. Zipcar is the nation’s largest car-sharing service, with outlets from San Francisco to Washington, that allows members to use cars only when they need them. It’s kept 30,000 drivers from buying (and polluting with) their own cars.
Here’s a few more: The Industrialist
Interface
Interface’s carpet tiles use recycled materials from consumer products and old carpet, as well as biodegradable corn-based polymers. Founded 33 years ago, Interface is the world’s first industrial firm devoted to sustainability – “taking nothing form the earth that is not rapidly and naturally renewable, and doing no harm to the biosphere,” according to found Ray Anderson. The Integrators
Frog's Leap
Not only are this Rutherford, CA, winery’s grapes organic, but they’re also grown using a water-saving dry farming method. The vineyard varietals include everything from Chardonnay to Syrah. The Converts
GreenOrder
CEO Andrew Shapiro consults with companies such as General Electric, Office Depot, and General Motors to help them develop more sustainable practices. The Pioneers
Clif Bar
These nutritional bars are made with organic ingredients. The company’s operation in Berkeley, CA has shifted to recyclable materials and green energy. The Builders
AFM
AFM makes non-toxic paints, stains, wood finishes, sealers, and cleaners specifically designed for people with chemical sensitivities. The Road Crew
Extengine Transport Systems
Extengine wants to be the world’s smog fighers. By injecting urea into a vehicle’s exhaust system, old diesel-powered trucks are retrofit to cut smog-emissions by as much as 90%. The Futurists
EnerTech Environmental
Call it biosolids, sewage, or sludge, EnerTech calls it a new source of energy. Opening in 2008 in Rialto, CA, the facility will take 675 tons of biosolids per day and convert into E-fuel, which EnerTech will sell as a clean replacement for coal in industrial settings. The Recyclers
Excellent Packaging & Supply
The company’s product, Spudware, is a line of utensils made from corn and potato starch. The forks, spoons, and knives are durable as plastic flatware – they can even withstand boiling water without damage. However, unlike petroleum-based plastics, Spudware will biodegrade after a few months of composting. by
Erin Swanson
ESwanson@enviance.com | 
