These days it seems everyone's on the eco-conscious bandwagon. Even Clorox, which recently bought natural makeup company Burt's Bees, is pledging to redefine its image and has launched Green Works, a line of 99 percent natural household cleaning products.

Among large companies in the Pacific Northwest, there are many leaders and wannabe-leaders. Boeing Co. debuted its fuel-efficient Dreamliner, REI has energy-efficient building standards. PCC Natural Markets recently outlawed plastic bags as a way to decrease its footprint. Starbucks stresses its earth-friendly stance and Tully's moved to fully compostable cups, last summer.

Some smaller entrepreneurs have been thinking green, as well.

I recently interviewed Bainbridge Island resident David Knight, president and CEO of Teragren LLC, a lesser-known company that makes flooring and other products from bamboo, a constantly renewable source.

Knight, who's fathered five companies, says he's been focused on protecting the environment since the 1960s. He pointed out that as more companies "go green," it will bring down prices for everyone and net a larger benefit to the planet.

Teragren products happens to be LEED approved, which is a good measure of green practices in the building industry. But how do we police the terms "green," "sustainable" or "eco-conscious" for other industries?

Much like the use of the word "organic," which has become so trendy and meaningless it was included on Lake Superior State University's list of banished words for 2008, "green" seems open to editorial interpretation, and thus, abuse.

One of the best ways to tell if a company is walking their talk is by their penetrability, Knight states. How much do they reveal about their manufacturing process on their website? Where are their factories located and how are they run? Are they certified in green-related ways? Have they gone public? Do they think locally? How do they keep track of their ecological impact?

In the March issue of our magazine you can read about Knight's company. You'll also catch excerpts of an interview with Organic To Go founder Jason Brown, whose chain of cafes is growing nearly at the speed of McDonalds in its heyday. You'll learn about a Kennewick winery that's been pressing organic grapes since the 1980s and a relatively young clothing company receiving lots of positive press for its social activism and high-end jeans made from organic cotton.

The concept of responsible consumption is tricky and hard to police. We can't all erase our footprint entirely. But it's worth knowing and supporting the local businesses who have taken a step toward that end.