12 Green Directories for North American Businesses

It’s not always easy to go green. A couple weeks ago I was looking to buy a promotional shirt made of organic materials and printed using non-petroleum based inks. I spent 4 hours searching for a local business that would do this and, at the end of the day, I had to find a compromise between going green and going local. I couldn’t find a local business that would solely do impressions on just 5 organic t-shirts (the minimum quantities ranged from 12 to 50).

Since I don’t want other people to feel the same frustration as I did, I’ve compiled a small list of green directories in North America. If you have a green business, use this list to promote your company and increase the number of inbound links to your website. Plus, most of them are free

1. Green Pages

The Green Pages is an interactive resource for environmental information, highlighting the latest environmental news, events and stories from across Canada in one place. Based in Toronto, ON, The Green Pages also provides a free directory.

2. Sustainable Business

Sustainable Business is a U.S. portal based in N.Y. that provides green news, free directory submissions and a job board.

3. 3rd Whale

More than 24,000 green business listings across 30 cities in North America (including Vancouver, BC). You can also browse 3rd Whale on your iPhone by downloading its mobile application (available through 3rd Whale’s website).

4. Look Green First

Look Green First is a paid directory, charging around $200 Usd per year.

5. Green Maven

Green Maven not only manages a green directory, but also a green search engine. The latest websites added to the directory enjoy a link on Green Maven’s first page, thus increasing visibility towards your business.

6. Ethical Directory

Ethical Directory is a Canadian resource created to provide businesses and consumers a place to find information about organizations that have an ethical standard. The Ethical Directory is a paid resource, starting from $9.

7. Green Index

Green Index is a Canadian free directory. Its submission process is smooth and latest submissions enjoy free promotion, being featured on Green Index’s first page.

8. My Enviroguide

Still in beta version, My Enviroguide is not just a directory: users can connect, share interesting news bits and promote their projects and events. The business listing is only free on the beta version.

9. Environmental Expert
Environmental Expert connects over one million environmental industry professionals from around the globe to 20,000 companies. Besides their directory, Environmental Expert provides industry-related information and resources, such as publications, events, articles, job postings, press releases & news.

10. Eco Business Links

Eco Business Links has a very 90’s website design, but it’s fairly easy to find what you’re looking for. It’s also a good tool to help you build up your inbound links.

11. EnviroLink

The EnviroLink Network is a non-profit organization which has been providing access to thousands of online environmental resources since 1991. Unfortunately, EnviroLink does not accept directory submissions from commercial websites.

12. Green People

Green People is a directory targeted to the end-consumer, but businesses can also get listed. Free submission.

Bonus directories:

• Eco Web
• Greenopia
• Green and Save
• Fair Green Trade
• Guide Me Green (UK & USA)
• Go Green Directory (UK)
• Ethical Directory
• The Green Directory (UK)
• Ani’s Green Pages
• Green Light Plays
• The Go Green Directory
• The Green Directory (Australia)
• Let’s Get Ethical
• Vancouver Green Living
• CSR Directory
• Earthy Directory
• Nature’s List
• Organic Linker

Know of more green directories that are not listed?