SmallBusinessNewz

As you're probably aware, today is Earth Day. If you didn't already know, there is a good chance you found out when you got online and went to Google and noticed their Earth Day logo.

Half the time, Google's the only reason I know when a holiday is. Maybe a little sad, but it's just one more of those useful Google features.

Every Day is Earth Day

While I personally don't keep too close a tab on earth day (probably not as close of one as I should at least), The SBA's Office of Advocacy proclaims that "Every day is Earth Day for small business".

This is convenient since Earth Day just happens to fall in the middle of Small Business Week this year.

"Every day small businesses endeavor to be good environmental stewards in their communities," says Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Thomas M. Sullivan. "Our research indicates that small innovative firms produce 13 times more patents per employee than large patterning firms do. Their innovative practices often yield environmentally friendly products and technologies."

Easing the Burden

The Office of Advocacy's Regulatory Review and Reform (r3) initiative has looked to small businesses for 10 ways that the government can "ease the disproportionate regulatory burden".

Illustrating the office's point was one recommendation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update its standards to reward new environmentally friendly methods used by small dry cleaners.

 "Whether it is health care, energy policy, or environmental protection, government is better off when we look to small business for answers," said Sullivan.

What Would You Recommend?

It's good to know that this is being acknowledged by the government. What recommendations would you have for the government to increase it's efforts to aid in environmentally friendly aspects of small business?