$ustainable Side Hu$tles

Do you have an entrepreneurial personality, but need to keep your “day job”?

Just looking for some extra ca$h and want to make it in a sustainable/responsible way?

Here is a list of 15 “Side Hustles” that can make you some money while having a positive environmental impact.

1.      SHARE: Uber/Lyft Driver/ P2P car share/ AirBnB – If you have time, space or a vehicle, you can be part of the sharing economy. Foster efficiency and help prevent the need for more Taxis and Hotels.

2.       eCommerce – Recycle, Reuse: There are plenty of platforms that will enable you to sell used/recycled items. Craigslist, eBay, OfferUp, etc. Help reduce the need for more manufacturing. Start by selling things you no longer need. You can expand by buying items at Garage/Estate sales, Liquidation Stores & Auctions and Thrift Stores.

3.      Freelance Writing – Upwork/Fiverr/Freelancer.com: Have a lot of knowledge about renewable energy? Vegan Food? Sustainable Building? You can provide content to websites, blogs and other publications.

4.      Writing/Publishing:  eBooks- Kindle, etc. / Blogs: Have a LOT of useful green knowledge? Publish your own eBook or Blog and monetize it through selling on Amazon or selling blog ads.

5.      Nature Photography: Are you great with a camera? Have an eye for nature/wildlife? Create stock photography that will be useful for Environmental organizations/projects, non-profits, businesses, etc.

6.      Video Content Creator/Editor:  Do you like to be in front of the camera? Youtube & Social Media Platforms provide opportunities to monetize if you can draw an audience. Be entertaining and enlightening. Get sponsors and a few bucks from AdWords.

7.      Toxics-Free Housecleaning: Make people’s homes a more liveable environment! Cleaning services are popular with busy people. You can stand out in the crowd by using fragrance/chemical free, natural cleaners. Even better, use car sharing/cycling/public transportation to get there.

8.      Teaching: Another great option for knowledge workers. Be a Sessional Lecturer at your local University or Community College. Most schools have environment related programs and they often appreciate non-academics sharing their experience and insight.

9.      Arts & Crafts: Make useful items with sustainable/reclaimed/recycled materials. Etsy, Amazon Handmade or your local craft fair are all great places to sell.

10.  EV customizing/detailing/retrofits/install: Electric vehicles are a growth industry. Clean or customize them with sustainable materials. Retrofit gas cars to electric. Start a service installing chargers in people’s garages.

11.  Sustainable Events Management: Events tend to produce a lot of waste. They are often red meat heavy, decorated with plastic and powered with fossil fuels. Create an alternate service that eliminates all of these. Many events are hosted on evenings & weekends.

12.  Investing/Trading: Spend time learning about investments. Socially/Environmentally responsible investment funds, renewable energy/organic/EV stocks amongst others can create ongoing revenue (dividends) or large gains.

13.  Tree Planting: Its backbreaking labor. I did it when I was a boy scout and would recommend considering this one if you are young & healthy too. Enjoy the great outdoors, get a lot of exercise, help the planet breath and get paid well. Great option for a student summer job.

14.  Gardening service: A lot of people are interested in urban agriculture. People would love to have fresh, local organic produce from their backyard or a community garden. They may not have the time or inclination to actually do the gardening. Offer it as a service! Great weekend gig.

15.  Personal Chef/Catering: Do you make awesome Vegan/Vegetarian/Organic meals? Share your skills with a growing market of customers. Everyone from busy executives to wedding feasts are potential customers.

There are plenty of “side hustle” earning opportunities. You can find one that has positive environmental impact or just modify something that already exists.

Either way, a part time green gig is a great way to help both your wallet and the planet.