Do you want to start a business in the green energy & eco-friendly industry? If YES, here are 50 innovative green business ideas.
The ozone layer is depleting, there is global warming and world leaders are all working hard to ensure that they save our world. We must do all we can to cut down on energy consumption and encourage people to source for eco-friendly sources of energy.
For example; there are loads of materials that is decomposable and when they are buried in the ground they cause harm to human, animals and the ecosystem.
There are certain green business idea that attracts grants and support from stakeholders in the industry. Here are 50 profitable and thriving green business ideas that an aspiring entrepreneur can chose from;
Innovative Green & Eco-Friendly Business ideas
Green Product Sales Business ideas
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Sale of Energy Saver Electric Bulbs
The concept of going green is all about saving energy and making use of an ecosystem friendly gadgets and materials et al. One of the green product sales businesses that an aspiring entrepreneur can easily launch is the sale of energy saver electric bulbs.
This type of business is not capital intensive and it can thrive in any location in the world. As a matter of fact, energy saver electric bulbs are trending currently in most parts of the world simply because it reduces electric bills.
One thing is certain; loads of energy and of course trees are used in the production of books and this is not good for our environment.
Which is why people are encouraged to purchase used books as against new ones. So, if you are looking for a thriving and profitable low start – up green products sale business to start, then one of your options is to start retailing used books.
Just ensure that you do not only restrict the sales of used books to the conventional bricks and mortar bookshop but you should also leverage on the internet to sell your used books; the internet is indeed the largest market available.
Another thriving and profitable green product sales business that an entrepreneur can successfully start is the sale of recycle plastic bottles.
There are loads of products that you can produce from recycled plastic bottles. You can produce products like plastic bottles, buttons for clothes, plastic components, plastic chairs, toys, plastic ruler, plastic bags, just to mention but a few.
That is why it is important to conduct your research and feasibility studies so that you can know the product that is of high demand before building your plastic bottle recycling company. It is a fact that the market for plastic bottle recycling business is profitable and open.
All you need to do is to ensure that you talk to soft drinks manufacturers, bottled water manufacturers et al to see how you can do business with them.
The truth is that they would be interested in doing business with you because it is cheaper to get their plastic bottles from a recycling plant than from those who produces virgin plastic bottles.
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Go into the Production and Sale of Biofuels
If you are looking towards earning money from the sale of green products, then one of your options is to go into the production and sale of biofuels.
Biofuel is another source of energy that is becoming more popular and it is safe and ecosystem friendly. Just ensure that you conduct a thorough feasibility studies and market survey before going into this type of business.
If you want to have a beginner’s idea about how to go about things in this sector, then you may want to consider carrying out some studies. This is very vital in finding out if this type of business can be embarked by you.
The sale of recycled paper bags is yet another highly thriving and money – spinning business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a green product sale related business should consider.
It is fact that in most countries in Europe and even in North America, retail outlets are encouraged to make use of recycled paper bags simply because they are environmental friendly and they can easily decomposed when discarded.
So, if you are looking towards starting a green product sale related business then one of your options is to go into the manufacturing and sale of recycled paper bags.
Another green product sales related business that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business should consider starting is the sale of recycled glass products. Glass is one material that can’t decomposed hence it is advisable to recycle and continue to re – use them.
Besides it is cost effective and energy saving recycling glass as against producing virgin glass products. It is a cool means of earning income and in most cases you are going to get broken glasses which are your major raw materials for free.
Opening a consignment store is yet another green product sale related business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business can successfully launched with little start – up capital. The essence of green product sales is to encourage the reuse or recycling of products so as to save the world the energy of producing new products.
Consignment business is all about selling used stuffs such as electronics, shoes, clothes, caps, bags and kitchen wares et al. So if you are looking towards starting a simple green product sale related business, then one of your options is to open a consignment store. It is a cool means of earning money.
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Sale and Repair of Bicycle
Another green product sale related business that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting an eco-friendly business should consider starting.
On like petrol / diesel powered automobiles, bicycles do not emit gas and this is why it is an eco-friendly means of transportation. Starting a bicycle sales and repair business in your area might be your own way to become a part of the green revolution and also make money.
The sale of eco-friendly children toys is yet another thriving and profitable green sales related business that an aspiring entrepreneur can successfully start in any part of the world. Eco-friendly children toys are toys that can easily decomposed when they are buried in the ground.
Hence, if you are looking towards starting a green sale related business, then one of your options is to go into the retailing of eco-friendly children toys. Conduct an online search and you will be amazed at the numbers of companies that are already into the manufacturing of eco-friendly children toys; you can get supplies from them.
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Start a Paper Recycling Business
Another cool means of making money is to start a paper recycling business. There is indeed a large market for recycled papers and as a matter of fact people are encouraged to start this type of business because it is a way of indirectly protecting of environment.
It is a fact that trees are used in the production of papers and trees are major components when it comes to balancing the ecosystem. As such, if you are looking for a green product sales related business to start, then one of your options is to start a paper recycling business.
The sale of refurbished phones, tablets and pads is yet another highly thriving and profitable green product sales related business that an aspiring entrepreneur can successfully start in any country of the world. It is a fact that there is a large market for refurbished phones, tables and pads simply because they are cheaper than brand new ones.
It is important to note that more energy is being consumed in the process or manufacturing brand new smartphones as against the energy consumed in refurbishing. The essence of green product sales is to help save our environment.
Another green product sales related business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting an eco-friendly business should consider starting is to go into the sale of refurbished computers and laptops et al. It is cost effective and energy saving refurbishing computers and laptops as against producing new ones.
There is indeed a large global market for refurbished computers and laptops. So if you are looking towards starting a green product sales business then one of your options is to go into the sale of refurbished computers and laptops.
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Go into the Sale of Refurbished Electronic Gadgets
The sale of refurbished electronic gadgets is yet another thriving and profitable green product sales related business that an aspiring entrepreneur can successfully launched. Just like any refurbished product, the process is energy saving and cost effective when compared to starting the process from the scratch in the production of new electronics.
Thus, if you are looking for a green business idea to start, then one of your options is to go into the retailing of refurbished electronic gadgets.
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Start Cardboard Recycling Business
Another thriving and profitable green business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur should consider starting is cardboard recycling business. Starting a recycling business in most climes receive support from both state and federal governments, which is the reason why you should consider starting your own recycling business.
One of the areas you can specialize in your recycling business is to start a cardboard recycling business – the market for cardboard recycled products is large. Cardboard recycling business is all about collecting used cardboards and then recycling it so that it can be reused for the production of cardboards or any other related materials like; books, paper folders, et al.
It is a fact that cardboard recycling business is indeed a profitable business, and it requires a moderate startup capital to establish it plus the fact that you stand the chance of enjoying tax rebate in most countries of the world.
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Start an Aluminum Can Recycling Business
It is a fact that aluminum is a sustainable metal and it can be recycled over and over again to produce new products. Another good thing is that recycling aluminum cans requires about 5% of the energy used in the production of virgin aluminum from the ore.
Although establishing your own aluminum can recycling company requires huge startup capital and rigorous processes to build your own plant, but it is a fact that it is indeed a profitable venture. The market for recycled aluminum can is large and can accommodate loads of investors. Recycled aluminum cans are used for canning foods, drinks, chemicals, lubricants, oil, industrial gum and much more.
Ink refilling business is yet another highly profitable and thriving green business product sale related business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a small scale business should consider starting. The fact that most organizations print on a daily basis makes it inevitable for them to run out of inks hence the need for ink refilling.
Ink refill business saves the earth from receiving unwanted empty cartridges which becomes useless and hazardous if not re – used.
This is a very profitable business, especially if you know how to go about things in the most appropriate way. Hence, if you think that this type of business would be a good way to make huge bucks, then you may want to consider getting trained.
Another easy to establish business to start in the green business industry is to start retailing herbal medicines. It is a thriving and profitable business to start and you may need a license to successfully retail herbal medicines. So, if you are looking for a simple business to start in the green business sector, then one of the options available to you is to go into the retailing of herbal drugs.
As a matter of fact in some quarters, people feel that herbal medicines are safer because they believe it is organic and it does not have any side effect. It is for this reason that you would be making loads of money when you get positioned.
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Start a Medical Waste Recycling Business
Medical waste recycling business is yet another thriving and profitable business that an entrepreneur who is serious about making money from the green business industry should consider starting. As a matter of fact, the recycling industry is a thriving industry; hence medical waste recycling wouldn’t be an exception.
So, if you are considering starting a business in the green business industry, then one of your options is to start a medical waste recycling business. You would be doing the environment on which you live on a world of good. This is because you would be saving the environment a great deal of health hazards.
Another thriving and profitable business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the green business industry should consider starting is the publishing of environmental related magazine.
When it comes to generating incomes, magazine companies exploit the sale of their magazines on newsstands, from advertisement from stakeholders and of course from those who sign – on to prepaid subscriptions and when it comes to distributing magazines, most magazines publisher make use of the mailing system, bookshops, strategic news – stands, through registered vendors and selected pick – up locations et al.
Beyond every reasonable doubt, the competition in the magazine industry is high, but one thing is certain, if you are able to set a standard in the industry, you are sure going to get committed and faithful readers who would not mind paying annual subscription fee upfront.
Another thriving and profitable green business idea that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business should consider starting is developing and retailing of green software applications.
The truth is that, you can help to spread knowledge and information about environmental protection by creating a mobile application with an environmental-protection theme. Your software application will help people learn and understand the need for protecting the planet; it would also offer and teach ways to protect the environment.
So if you are a software developer and you are looking towards leveraging on the green business value chain, then your best options is to start developing green software applications. If you do not know what it takes to start this business, then you may want to consider seeing an expert to help you with things.
Electric – powered car dealership is yet another promising and of course profitable green product sale related business that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business should consider starting.
It is a fact that in the nearest future, the numbers of electric – powered cars on our roads all over the world will increase tremendously and the best way to positioned to leverage on this type of business is open an electric – powered car dealership shop.
Another thriving, promising and profitable green product sale related business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards earning income from the green business value chain should consider starting is to open a solar – powered car dealership shop.
Just like electric – powered cars, solar – powered cars is rapidly gaining acceptance all over the world simply because it is environmental – friendly to drive solar – powered cars as against petrol – powered cars.
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Open a Music and Movies Downloads Shop
Music and movies download shop is yet another thriving and profitable green product sale related business that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business in the green business industry should consider starting.
Downloads eliminates the usage of CDs, CD casings and printing et al which would have consumed materials and energy during production. So if you are looking towards starting a green product sales related business, a business that requires pretty low start – up capital, then one of your best options is to open a music and movies download center.
Another highly thriving and money – spinning green product sales related business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur can successfully start is the retailing and installations of solar panels. No doubt the demand for solar panels is on the increase simply because how convenient it is easy to use plus the fact that it is eco – friendly.
So, if you are looking for a green product sale related business idea to start, then one of your options is to start retailing and installing of solar panels. It is a cool means of earning decent income.
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Retailing of Recycled Furniture
Retailing of recycled furniture is yet another thriving and profitable green product sales related business idea that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business should consider starting.
If furniture is recycled, it saves our planets from losing trees and also other materials and the energy involved in producing new furniture. Besides it is cost effective and economical to recycled furniture as against building brand new furniture from the scratch.
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Retailing of eBooks
As much as possible, people should be encouraged to buy more of eBooks as much as they can rather than buy hard copy books. This is important, because books are responsible for the failing of several trees and we need trees in our environment to balance our ecosystem.
So if you are looking for a green product sale related business to start, a business that is environmental friendly, then one of your options is to start retailing eBooks. This type of business requires low start – up capital and of course it is highly profitable. You would need to be an ardent lover of books, for you to be able to do pretty well in this trade.
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Retailing of Solar Power Bank
The retailing of solar power bank is yet another trending and profitable green product sale related business idea that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting an environmental friendly business should consider starting.
Aside from the fact that it cost nothing to re- charge solar power banks, solar power banks are very effective and can be used in any part of the world even in places where one can hardly access electric et al. So if you are looking towards starting a green product sale related business idea, then one of your options should be to start retailing of solar power bank.
Another green business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur who is into construction should consider starting is to go green in his or her construction business. It is obvious that the construction industry is not left out in the environmental protection movement; green construction is now a very popular trend in the construction industry.
Green construction involves the use of environment-friendly products to build houses. For instance; solar water heating systems are used instead of the regular heating systems and water and energy saving materials are introduced into the house.
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Open an Organic Product Shop
Retailing of organic products is yet another highly profitable and thriving green product sale related business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting an eco – friendly business should consider starting. There are loads of organic products that you can retail.
Organic hair products, skin products, cleaning materials and pet supplies are just some of the products that you can manufacture and make good profit from. With little or no skill, an aspiring entrepreneur can successfully launch this type of business. You have got to first of all be sure about the types of products that you will want to use.
The recovering and selling of scrap gold is yet another profitable and thriving small – scale green business idea that an entrepreneur can successfully launch. You can actually start making money recovering scrap gold from condemned computers and electronics right from your garage or backyard.
You can start right from where you are. The good thing about this process is that it would only cost you about 20 US Dollars to recover 1 oz. worth of scrap gold and the value of this can be as high as 300 US Dollars. The good thing about this money making venture is that you can get the raw materials i.e. the scrapped and condemned computers and electronics for free.
If you visit the workshops where experts fix and repair faulty computers or electronics, you would always find some that are beyond repair and piled to be discarded. Approach them and they will be willing to give it to you for free, because they would see you as a helping hand for its disposal.
Green Services Business ideas
One of the green services business ideas that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business that will contribute to preserving our world should consider starting is to start an eco-friendly nonprofits organization. There are loads of activities that an eco-friendly nonprofits organization can be involved in.
They could start the campaign for going green, discouraging people from deforestation, encourage people to conserve energy, print only when highly necessary and encourage entrepreneurs to start recycling business amongst many other businesses.
The truth is that if you can successfully start an eco-friendly nonprofits organization, you are likely going to get funding and support from international donor agencies and stakeholders in the industry et al.
Another thriving and profitable easy to start home improvement cum green service business that an entrepreneur who is serious about making money should consider starting is to offer landscaping services.
Landscape architecture is all about the art, planning, designing, management, preservation and rehabilitation of the land and the design of a large man – made construct; it beautifies our environment. Landscaping business just like Lawn care business is not one of those businesses that someone can start and make big money from without truly working pretty hard and smart.
Any entrepreneur who intends starting his or her own landscaping business and making huge profits from it must be very creative and must be ready to go the extra mile to convince clients that he or she can deliver an excellent job and he or she must prove beyond every reasonable doubt that they are competent.
Lawn care services is one of the home improvement cum green service based business that an entrepreneur who is interested in making money should consider starting. It is a business that is easy to start and manage; the basic equipment needed to start this time of business are lawn mower, shovel, rake, wheelbarrow and shearer et al.
It is important to state that Lawn care and maintenance business falls in the category of seasonal businesses; the industry experience downtime during the winter period and in most states in the US. In general, the demand for lawn care services is usually at its peak in the spring and generally between April and October.
Which is why lawn care companies are always everywhere sourcing for lawn care business deals within this period of the year. You will need to be very vast in marketing if you want to do well in this business.
People who are into recycling business don’t necessarily need to own their own recycling plant. All they need in other to carry out their business is to locate an efficient and effective recycling plant within their location.
So if you are looking towards starting a green services business, then one of your options is to open a recycling plant. You might want to open a standard recycling plant that recycles every available material or you might want to recycle just few materials, the choice is yours.
Just ensure that you conduct your market survey and feasibility studies in other to determine the materials that are recycled the most within your location before opening your recycling plant.
Another thriving and profitable green services business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting an environmental friendly business should consider starting is selling recycle bins for homes. In recent times all over the world, there have been several campaigns concerning the need to recycle household things and a lot of people all over the world are beginning to pull into this.
It is very important that before you venture into this business, that you check with the appropriate recycling center to see the types of items they accept for recycling. This is because there might be other items which some centers do not accept that others do since their services vary. You may consider positioning your business in a neighborhood for a good reach.
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Power Plant / Generating Set Maintenance and Servicing Business
It is the norm to see offices and players in the manufacturing industry generating their electrical power themselves especially in the developing world where electricity supply is epileptic. If you live in a country where companies generate their own electric power, then one of the green business services you can render is to go into power plan / generating set maintenance and servicing business.
The truth is that is power plan and generating sets are well – maintained, they will emit less carbon monoxide and we know the effect of carbon monoxide in our environment. It is a thriving and profitable business that a trained plant engineer or technician can successfully start.
Just ensure that you go all out there to market your services and you are sure going to secure good business deals from factories and corporate organizations that depend on power generating sets to for their electrical power supply.
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Start Blogging on Environmental Related Issues
It is interesting to note that there are loads of people out there who are making millions annually blogging. If you are an environmental professional or someone who has sound knowledge in the environmental industry, then one of the businesses that you can consider starting is to start blogging on environmental related subjects.
The truth is that if your blog has useful and helpful contents, you will attract loads of traffic and if you have loads of traffic on your blog, you can easily secure good advertising deals from stakeholders and other businesses in your blog. Just ensure that you update your blog regularly and you will continue to attract traffic.
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Start Publishing Environmental Magazines and Journals
Another interesting and money – spinning business that an entrepreneur who is interested in making money in the green services sector should consider starting is to start publishing environmental magazines and journals. Just like blogging, if you have useful and helpful contents in your magazines and your magazine is wide reaching, then you will surely attract good advertising deals from the government and from the private sector.
Just ensure that every edition of your magazine is fresh, and helpful in order to continue to increase the numbers of copies sold per editions.
Medical waste disposal business is yet another thriving and profitable business in the healthcare cum green services sector that an entrepreneur who is interested in starting a business can consider. Medical waste disposal business is niche in the cleaning industry and it requires some level of professionalism.
So if you are in the cleaning industry and you want to expand your business offering, then one of your options is to start a medical waste disposal business. One good thing about this type of business is that you can handle numerous hospitals at the same time. All you need to do is to arrange an effective pick – up time / schedule.
Another business idea in the green services industry that an entrepreneur who intends starting a business in the industry should consider starting is to start an environmental related TV program. Although there are several environmental related TV programs out there, but that does not in any way stop you from starting yours.
If your TV program is well organized and packaged to address key issues as it relates to climate change, global warming and the environment, you will sure attract large viewership and of course mouthwatering sponsorship deals from major stakeholders in the private sector and the public sector as well. It is a cool way of making money, but you must always be your toe when it comes to developing contents for the TV program.
Of course it is more expensive to buy slots on TV than it is for radio. So if you are looking towards starting an environmental related program and you don’t have the finance to purchase airtime on TV, then going on radio is your best options.
The truth is that, If your radio program is well organized and packaged to address key issues as it relates to climate change, global warming and the environment, you will sure attract large viewership and of course mouthwatering sponsorship deals from major stakeholders in the private sector and the public sector as well.
It is a cool way of making money, but you must always be your toe when it comes to developing contents for the radio program.
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Start Organizing Green Fairs / Expos
There are loads of players in the environmental business value chain who are looking for platforms to showcase and market their goods and services to their target market. One of such platforms they can leverage on is green fairs / expos; a place where entrepreneurs and organizations in the environmental industry can attend to promote and market their goods and services.
So if you are good at organizing events and you are interested in starting a business in the environmental industry, then one of your options is to start organizing green fairs / expos.
You can organize this event at a city level, state level, national level and international level. The truth is that, if the fair is well organized, you will sure attract not just startups in the environmental industry, but also major players in the industry.
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Start Air duct cleaning
Another green services business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting an environmental friendly business should consider starting is to go into air duct cleaning services. Dusts and dirt can easily accumulate in our air ducts and these would prevent the air conditioning system from working properly and increase energy consumption. Air ducts are to be cleaned regularly to reduce energy consumption.
So, if you are looking towards starting a green services related business, then one of your options is to start an air duct cleaning business. There are loads of homes and offices that will engage your services if you go out there to market it.
Green consulting business is yet another thriving and money – spinning green services business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur who is well grounded in the environmental industry should consider starting.
The truth is that, if you have the experience and of course necessary qualifications, you will not only secure contract from the government, but also from other organizations that are in the fore – front when it comes to the going green and saving our world from degradation and depletion.
You do not have to just begin to consult on green matters without knowing anything about it. This is one of the reasons why you will need to have lots of information in your arsenal. This information is going to help guide you as you trudge along in business.
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Organize International Environmental Conferences
If you are looking towards making money from the business value chain in the environmental industry, then one of your options is to start organizing international conferences.
If you go online or tune to your TV, you probably will see the adverts for various conferences on subjects like ‘global warming’, protecting the ozone layer’, climate change’ and going green amongst so many other environmental related topics.
The truth is that, if you conference is well publicized; you will sure attract participants from different countries of the world.
The numbers of electric – powered vehicles is increasing on a daily basis hence the need for charging stations for electric – powered vehicles.
So if you are looking towards starting a green services related business, then one of your options is to open a charging station for electric – powered vehicles. It is a business for the future which is why it will pay you to properly position now.
Another promising and profitable green services business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting an environmental friendly business should consider starting is an energy auditing firm.
Energy auditing involves visiting people’s homes to inspect their energy usage and recommend ways to increase efficient usage of energy. The truth is that anything that will help people reduce their energy consumption will be highly welcomed because it will also help them save money.
Car sharing services is yet another thriving, trending and of course profitable green services business idea that an entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business should consider starting. Car sharing business involves linking up people who stay in same axis and work in same axis to share cars as against driving solo to work every day.
It is a good way to save energy and also reduce carbon emission in our environment. Your job is to make the connections, monitor the process and make your commission. It is indeed a cool way of earning income from the business value chain of the environmental industry, but you must prove to be trust worthy.
If you are a lawyer and you looking towards leveraging on the green business value chain to make money, then one of your options is to offer environmental legal services. There are communities that are subjected to oil spillage, gas flaring and other hazardous elements.
Your duty as an environmental lawyer is to help defend such community; you can as well work with corporate organizations that may need your services.
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Start a Tree Planting Non-profit Organization
Last but not least, another green services business idea that an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking towards starting a business is the environmental industry should consider starting is a tree planting nonprofit organization. Of course your major duty is to start a tree planting campaign and also to discourage people from falling trees unnecessarily.
You sure are going to get funding and support from the government of your country and also international donor agencies if you are able to package your tree planting program effectively. It is true that the green line of trade might not be too saturated as it is with other businesses.
However, the truth remains that you have to offer some added services that would cause your business to stand out always.