As an Eco-entrepreneur, I often find myself wishing I had more control over my surroundings. From despising the carry-out containers used by a favorite restaurant, to wishing the local baker would stop double-bagging the bread, there are certain areas of day-to-day life that we just have to deal with. Or do we?

The reality of the situation is that there are steps you can take to urge your favorite businesses to go green. Now, trying to tell any business ‘what to do’ can be a tricky thing. Owners and managers have worked very hard to establish their business and suggestions, when not correctly framed, can come across as unsolicited advice or criticism.

On the flip side, it is not impossible to make constructive suggestions to your favorite business. When approached with the right attitude, recommendations from customers can be a great tool to any business. After all, the customer is (almost) always right!

While a consumer can always approach a manager at their favorite business and attempt to explain why it is absolutely necessary to use only chlorine-free toilet paper, more than likely the message will fall on the wrong ears, or get lost in translation altogether. There are ways to go about greening your favorite business that will yield much more success than simply trying to lecture your way to change.

Make a Suggestion- Because yakking at the on-duty manager may not get your message to the person who needs to hear it, suggestion cards are a good way urge your favorite business to employ greener business practices. Currently, there exist places where you can find pre-made suggestion cards aimed at greening businesses. These are simple, print-and-place style cards that explain why you want greener business, and how the establishment can go about becoming more eco-friendly. If pre-made is not your style, feel free to draft your own suggestion cards, and do not hesitate to be creative! Often times, a personal approach can be very effective.

Leave It to the Pros- If you have exhausted the possibility of achieving change through the use of the suggestions cards, you can always call on a professional to help you spread your message. The people over at Thimmakka.org are true professionals who have experience influencing businesses like restaurants and bars to go green. Also, the have a special focus on restaurants that serve various types of ethnic cuisine. Thimmakka is a group dedicated to environmental resource education. Although they concentrate mainly on the Bay area, they are able to work their magic all over the country! Oh yeah, did I mention most of their services are free?

Write it Down- Another good way to reach your intended target is by going through a round-about channel of communication. Letters to the Editor of a local newspaper can serve as a great platform from which to spread your message. While you might want to generalize you message to include a call to action from many local businesses, it never hurts to make a special request for your favorite establishment to become more sustainable. Often times, this will put a spotlight on that specific business, which can act as the catalyst for the action you have been pushing for. Also, a business might be grateful for this exposure, and for a chance to make a very public positive change. While there may be no such thing as bad press, good press is absolutely priceless.

Make a Statement- A good friend of mine recently told me about a very creative way he urged his local ice cream joint to stop using Styrofoam bowls in their shop. This particular friend of mine works full-time as a daycare and after-school care provider. One day, he had his class make a HUGE card that explained all the reasons the kids wanted the ice-cream shop to go green. After the card was completed, the class took a field trip down to the shop to hand deliver their sentiment to the owner. Long story short, the ice cream shop hasn’t used Styrofoam since. While not everyone has access to a group of children to help make giant cards, a similar action can be equally effective. Like I said before, be creative!

Do the Math- If creativity has failed in producing the change you whish to see, you can approach the situation more pragmatically. If the ‘bottom line’ is what matters to most business people, try and speak their language. If you would like to see more sustainable materials being used, ask one of the managers who supplies the business with the products in question. After that, go to manufactures website and figure out how much they are paying for that particular product. If you can, find a supplier with an alternative, more sustainable product and then compare the prices. If you present these facts when speaking with an owner or manager, it can make your requests seem more manageable and your goals more achievable. The last thing you want to do is to overwhelm the people you are trying to influence.

No matter what method you chose when trying to urge your favorite business to go green, the number one rule is to be persistent. While your message might not reach the right people on the first try, the second, third or fifth time might be the charm. Also, combining different methods is a good way to increase the chances of your message falling on the ears of someone who has the power to make the changes you are aiming for. Above all else, be patient and understanding- major changes can take a while. Also, if you see positive changes occurring, do not forget to follow up with the business to let them know how much you appreciate their responsiveness and their commitment to the environment.

Image source: The Green Restaurant Association