RALEIGH -- Going green is catching on with some businesses in the Tar Heel State.

In the Triangle, a new pilot program has been launched called Green Plus. It teaches small business owners how to become environmentally friendly and save money.

Todd Coats, the chief creative officer for public relations firm Capstrat in Raleigh says it’s the small things that are helping his company become more environmentally friendly and economically savvy.

"One of the first things that we did is we put motion detectors in all that rooms, that way the light can be turned on but not in use until someone is in there,” explained Coats. “We don't use plastic utensils, we're taking some of our paper that can be recycled and we're making sketch books.”

The Green Plus initiative looks to help small- to medium-sized businesses like Capstrat look for more ways to go green and save money. Green Plus is an online-based pilot program, and Capstrat, along with 80 other Triangle businesses, are testing it out.

“You can go online and see how you're doing in terms of your basic business practices, your bottom line,” explained Green Plus director Chris Carmody. “You'll have access to an online community, so you can find businesses like yours for advice on sustainability, better environmental measures and better community re-investment measures."

Over a period of about six months, companies involved in the program get an online checklist on what can be done for them to become more green and money conscience. If that company meets the Green Plus standards it then becomes certified.

"And it's a way for your buyers, suppliers, your customers to know that you're a business that cares about your environment and the community,” said Carmody.

Green Plus will open to the public in January. For more information on the initiative, call 919-967-7075.