According to a Washington Post report published on Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that 2012 was the hottest on record for the lower 48 states, indicative of a trend of hotter, drier and potentially more extreme weather. The scientists reported that, while some of this increase is due to cyclical weather patterns, it is also due at least in part of the burning of fossil fuels, which is thereby contributing to climate change. While people have been discussing the potential dangers of climate change for decades, there have also been many reasons for businesses to discount their role in vying for economically sustainable business. Finding ways to reduce, reuse and recycle may be more expensive and difficult to enact, resulting in a string of complex issues for many companies that seek to keep shareholders happy by keeping the bottom line as low as possible. However, a new breed of entrepreneurs is vested in finding ways to revolutionize their respective industries, with an understanding that while costs may be higher in the short-term, the sustainable practices will cut operating costs and increase efficiency down the line. Specifically, some tech, media and marketing companies are now working harder than ever to ensure sustainable business. What follows are some of our Florida marketing agency’s favorites: Affordable Internet Services Online What sets AISO apart is not necessarily its services, though those are top-of-the-line amongst competing web hosting providers. AISO’s AMD Opteron servers, which are powered by IBM, use 60% less energy and generate 50% less heat than competitors. And, being located in the Palm Valley Desert offers another environmental perk – the company’s facility is 100% solar powered, and has been for 14 years. Peak-Ryzex Peak-Ryzex specializes in upkeeping and maintaining products that are still functional, but that would otherwise end up in landfills. In 2006, the Ryzex Group made a drastic move and got rid of all of its trash cans, leading to a business environment where the employees recycle everything – literally. Since it’s recent merger with Peak, we have our fingers crossed that the Ryzex family will keep its traditions alive and will spread them to other industries. ReCellular The name says it all. ReCellular is an online company dedicated to allowing people to buy and sell electronic devices that they might otherwise discard. Through a division called Securetrade-in, the company offers easy and efficient tools to help you assess the value of your gently used device, which you can then sell back to for someone else to purchase. They’ll even scrub and remove your data for you, in case you forget to do so yourself before sending it in. Once you’ve sold, you can use your extra cash to purchase a used device through another division called MobileKarma. Don’t know much about our Florida advertising agency? Check us out. You’ll be happy with what you learn. If you think your company can’t be green, too, take some inspiration from these companies and make small strides toward operating a green business. By going paperless, purchasing gently used equipment and recycling your own goods, you can do your part to help your company contribute to sustainability (and, at our Orlando advertising agency, we’ve learned that we can save a few bucks, too!).