Gary Hirshberg, founder of Stonyfield Farm Yogurt, has written a new book, Stirring It up: How to Make Money and Save the World. This is a must read for an emerging green entrepreneur. This new book shares the collective success of companies such as Patagonia, Timberland and of course Stonyfield. Hirshberg claims that the green improvements he makes in his business not only reduce his company's footprint on the planet, but have saved the company millions of dollars. He jokingly refers to his type of green business as the "First National Bank of Conservation." 
Raised in textile manufacturing rich New Hampshire, Hirshberg quickly figured out the harm being done by the dyes and chemicals being dumped in the waters of New England. Off at college, he studied ecology and eventually pursued a career as the executive director of an ecological research center. At an exposition funded by Kraft Foods, Hirshberg witnessed the enormous power of corporate America. He realized that, "only the power of enlightened business could save the world - that until commerce is harnessed for the benefit of the planet, the planet doesn't stand a chance."
With only seven cows and a dream, Gary Hirshberg and friend Samuel Kaymen launched Stonyfield Farm Yogurt. Take a look at their bragging rights:
- They are a 100% organic manufacturer meaning they avoid production and use of many tons of toxic chemicals.
- The were America's first manufacturer to offset 100% of their carbon-dioxide emissions from manufacturing.
- They've mapped their climate footprint and installed the largest solar photovoltaic array in New Hampshire.
- They have converted their yogurt waste into bio-gas avoiding the generation of truckloads of sludge.
- Plastic lids on small yogurt cups were replaced with foil.
- Currently the company is installing a system that recaptures heat going up the boiler stacks and uses it to heat water instead.
- They have a company wide program to attack the 10 biggest sources of carbon emissions.
As a small business owner trying her best to run a green business I was thrilled to hear Hirshberg's story. He took a small dream, a passion and some life experience and created a 300 million dollar a year business. The financial success reached by Stonyfield can only be matched by the environmental example they set! I was so impressed reading a small Newsweek article about by Hirshberg about his company that I can not wait to read his book! I am already a huge follower and count him as a personal hero. Next time you have a tiny cup of yogurt, remember the impact your purchasing power has buying from Stonyfield over another yogurt company.
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