eBay Bans Ivory: Green Choices for the Pocketbook AND the Environment

This week, eBay announced that they’d be banning ivory starting in 2009. Partnering with World of Good, eBay has recently made a number of green and ethical changes, and this is only of the most significant.

Now, I wanted to make an important note that not all ivory items in this world were acquired illegally or inhumanely. Hunting elephants wasn’t also illegal and many of these giant mammal die of natural causes every year. However, there is really no way to know whether the ivory came from a legitimate source or was a result of poaching, so eBay is banning it all. The only exception will be for items certified as being made before 1900.

I suspect that as poaching continues to be a problem, it is likely that in the future we’ll see some kind of “certification” program for human ivory. But this all brings about a more important question. Ivory items go for outstandingly high prices on any bidding site. eBay is big enough that they likely won’t miss those commission fees…but could green choices hurt smaller businesses?

Green Business Decision Concerns

Unfortunately, the answer to my previous question is “yes.” Say you are a small antiques dealer. Banning ivory might cost you thousands of dollars every year. Sometimes the green and ethical choice isn’t always the best one of your bank account, sadly.

So how can you make green choices while still being business savvy? Keep the following points in mind:

• The ethical green choices should take top priority. If you can’t afford to go completely green right now, pick and choose your battles. For example, banning ivory might come first while pursuing solar energy might be put on hold until you have the money. Remember, this is a process that will take years.
• Make sure you’re legal. Sometimes, it isn’t about going green, but rather about complying with federal and state laws. These issues HAVE to come first. For example, the EPA is creating new lead restrictions. That come first; non legal issues come second.
• Look at your budget. Going green can cost a lot of money, depending on the changes you have to make. That said, take a look at your budget. Where can you find the dollars to go green? For example, maybe you travel less in order to afford those new green printers.

How do you deal with going green in today’s tough economic world?