Can
promotional merchandise be green?
Printed material
Can printed
promotional campaigns and advertising ever be green? Today the question is if
we can go on printing our advertisement on paper and contaminate our nature
with this. Or is there a green way of doing this kind of marketing?
Companies
feel the pressure of the consumer to not only bring a green product but to do
the whole production process in a green way. Also advertising can and should
become more sustainable. Consumers want the entire company to be green and they
want proof. One of the main tools to promote the products and services are
leaflets and brochures. Is there still a place for this in the new world?
Many
businesses are well aware that a green business helps to attract costumers.
Therefor it is important that you choose your printing company wisely. The
first point you should check is if the company is certified by the forest
stewardship council (a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable
management). The paper used in these companies can be tracked back to the
certified wood that’s grown in their forests.
The
additional waste should be another priority for businesses, recycling and
processing should happen responsibly. Also make sure you don’t order more
promotion than needed. Some printing companies use vegetable based inks; these
are less harmful to the environment.
Promotional material
We can ask
some questions about the other promotional products too. Some companies claim
they produce eco-friendly products but are they as green as they say?
Our office
space is full of branded promotional products from pens to mugs, calendars,
lighters and so on. The promotional product industry is responsible for an
enormous amount of goods that we don’t really need. And if we have those
products, nobody really reads the small letters, which says how green they are.
You can buy
the most eco-friendly product there is but if it’s produced in China and you
have to ship it to Europe, your green promotional material doesn’t mean that
much anymore. Companies should check three things before they choose which
company they will use for marketing products.
- The
products have to be made from sustainable or recycled materials.
- The
products have to be biodegradable.
- Corporate
Social Responsibility: your main concern is always ethical responsibility
These are
some tips to make sure you use sustainable marketing products so the impact on
our planet is as low as possible.
Xenia
Demeester 2MA01
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