It's easy being green, says Lotus Boutique owner, Bridget Connor.
Connor, who opened her brick and mortar store at 908 Main Street Boonton, NJ in 2003 and launched her website shoplotus.com last year, has developed some helpful tips for any small business hoping to benefit Mother Earth.
"They're small things, but when you add them up, they become much larger," said Connor. "Any small business can use these tips and help the environment."
Lotus Boutique, a local boutique for stylish women, features contemporary designers like Weston Wear, Language Los Angeles, Testament Clothing, Sanctuary, Free People, David Kahn Jeanswear, and Velvet by Graham and Spencer. Here are some of her helpful hints:
-- Wholesalers often wrap each individual product in plastic for shipping, always recycle plastic bags. Between 500 billion and a trillion bags are consumed each year, and many of these bags end up in landfills. Connor brings her plastic bags to recycling containers at her local grocery store.
-- Avoid plastic and use biodegradable products. When Connor ships items through her website shoplotus.com, she always uses biodegradable paper and never plastic.
-- Opt for recyclable paper. All of Connor's shopping bags and business cards are made from recyclable paper.
-- Buy products made in America. Nearly 90 percent of the items at Lotus Boutique are made in the USA, which ensures that the products adhere to stricter work and environmental regulations.
-- Go organic. Connor only uses non-toxic and organic cleaning products in her store.
-- Hit the pavement. Connor walks to work, because she lives near her store, lowering her carbon footprint.
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