Bag it!

Here's a very eco-friendly way to distribute "boxed" lunches at your next meeting or event -- Bag it!

You've been to a meeting, trade show, or event where a boxed lunch was served. Stacks of plastic or paper boxes filled with ham, turkey, or roast beef sandwiches piled on tables. Attendees grabbing their lunch and taking it with them to the next session or hoping they will find a place to sit. Then when lunch is over there are these empty boxes overflowing out of trashcans. Or maybe piled up on the floor.



What if rather than throwing the container away, the meeting goer took their new reusable lunch sack with them? Think about the trash that would be saved. The goodwill that the recipient would feel. The revenue that could be generated through this sponsorship opportunity. Sound like a win for the environment. A win for the meeting goer. And a win for your bottom line.

Here is just one of several options for your next "boxed" lunch.

As low as $1.94

24 hour rush available

Durable, Recyclable and Attractive! Features: • Made of Super Strong 80 GSM Material Exterior with Thermal Food Safe Foil Main Compartment. • 14" Nylon Carrying Strap • Velcro Closure on Flap • 5" Deep Front Slash Pocket • Reinforced Webbing Handle, 16" Length. Please note: Imprint Sizes Vary Based On Number of Imprint Colors: One Color Std Imprint Area: 3 3/4"W x 4"H Multi Color Std Imprint Area: 3 1/2"W x 3"H Available colors: Pink, Orange, Khaki, Yellow, Lime-green, Hunter-green, Reflex-blue, White, Burgundy, Red, Purple, Black and Navy

Case Study - "Green Queen" Uses Eco Message

Recycled tote bag is a self-promotion success.

Sustainability has become a key selling point in the real estate industry. This is why Susan Singer, senior vice president of sales for The Corcoran Group and a self-proclaimed “eco-broker,” has branded herself “The Green Queen;” she promotes the sustainability of the properties she is offering, and drives potential clients to her website with an eco-friendly promotional product.

“Years ago, I used refrigerator magnets and a mouse pad, and they both got me a lot of mileage,” says Singer. “But I wanted to do something that was eco-friendly this time and that could be used in an eco-friendly way.”

To help spread the word about her business, Singer ordered plenty of imprinted tote bags made of recycled plastic material. The bags feature a stenciled image of the historic London Terrace apartment building, which she is a broker for, as well as her contact information and branding for Corcoran Group Real Estate. She says she decided not to include the name of the London Terrace building so that the bag would have wider appeal – she wanted it to be, “just about living in New York and having an eco-friendly bag … that way people will want to use them and it’s just free advertising.”

Singer sent the totes to her neighbors, clients and potential clients – and gave one to every unit in London Terrace. She also distributes them at events when the opportunity arises. For example, she recently offered the bags after she spoke at an Earth Day seminar at Baruch College in Manhattan.

The totes direct people to Singer’s website, where they will find information about her properties ranging from Brooklyn to Uptown Manhattan, as well as Tales of the Green Queen, a regular comic strip in which a cartoon version of Singer tours the city, helping people save on energy costs.

While Singer acknowledges that these days the economy often weighs on real estate buyers more than the environment does, she says the totes get an enthusiastic response. “I’ve had people call me or e-mail me saying, ‘I am so grateful for this tote, it’s so sweet and reminds me of the building,’ and people from the building have just stopped me on the street,” she says. “It’s really been very good for me.”

5 Earth-Friendly Options

When you are looking to make your promotional marketing as earth-friendly as possible, consider these five options:

1. Biodegradable corn plastic is used for everything from pens to mugs.
2. Solar-powered technology “fuels” earth-friendly flashlights, calculators and more.
3. Organic cotton, bamboo or hemp makes apparel “green.”
4. Recycled PET transforms traditional polyester and plastics into environmentally correct choices.
5. Naturally appealing products like plant seedlings, seed packets and even imprinted walnuts provide a clever alternative to man-made promotional items.

Top 10 Products to Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day Products

Here are the products featured on ASI’s first-ever list of top eco-friendly giveaways for Earth Day marketing campaigns throughout March and April. Earth Day is April 22.

	1. Elephant-Poo Journal. The ultimate recycled item that is made from elephant poo. Great for colleges, trade shows or any businesses using notebooks. From Spector & Co
2. Bamboo Dinnerware. Stop using paper plates and plastic utensils. Great for office picnics, concert venues and fairs. Bamboo, a renewable resource, can grow as much as four feet in one day. From Aunt Beth’s Cookie Keepers
	3. Seed Paper Postcard. Plant the paper – all biodegradable – and flowers sprout in its place. Ideal for environment-themed mailings to prospects and clients, and also comes in other shapes. From Bloomin’ Promotions
4. Shower Timer. Tells you when your five minutes are up. Utilities, local municipalities and environmental groups can promote water conservation by offering this practical item. From All-In-One
	5. Recycled Tires Jar Opener. Made from rubber tires. Auto dealerships, mechanics and tire manufacturers can give these to customers for Earth Day or anytime year-round. From Americanna
6. Pine Tree Seedling. Live pine tree in a container. Employees can participate in a tree-planting day at the office campus, or community organizations can hand out to participants at an Arbor Day event. From Groline
	7. Organic T-shirt. The cotton is certified that it has been grown without the aide of pesticides or fertilizers. Give one to each Earth Day event organizer and volunteer. From Vantage Apparel
8. Compostable Pens. This pen completely breaks down in a landfill in 90 days (except the spring and refill). Hotels, banks and shops can use these and give them away to customers. From Shepenco
	9. Nonwoven Bag. Local grocery stores can eliminate plastic and paper, and exhibitors at trade shows can provide these to attendees to collect literature and samples. From Kool Pak,
10. Hemp-Blend Polo. This cotton and hemp organic shirt is naturally anti-bacterial and companies can use this shirt for summer uniforms. From High Performance

Being a Responsible Consultant

I have spent the last few hours reading an industry magazine supplement on responsibility. Subtitled "The Comprehensive Guide to Maintaining the Highest Safety, Environmental & Social Standards for the Promotional Products Industry". Believe me, it's given me a lot to think about.

When I started working in this industry, I was a bit ahead of the curve. I have always be "Eco Conscious". So when their was a big push about 3 or 4 years ago to start making the industry a bit more "Green", I was already well on that path. In fact, since my very first consultation, I have been trying to make my clients more aware of their choices and how it would impact the environment in relation to their marketing goals.

Some of the things I would have them consider when ordering an item were; What was it made of? How long would it stay in use? Was it recyclable? Was it biodegradable?, etc.

That in itself was a lot to think about. But now, there are so many other areas to be aware of. Certainly, as of late, whether a product is made in the USA or not has been more of a concern. Naturally promoting your own company with USA made goods in better for the overall economy. However there are other reasons to consider where something is made. Product safety concerns is a big reason. Fair wage and working conditions. Lot-to-lot quality is something that recently was brought to my attention. Did you know that some suppliers will pay extra to make sure that there is consistency in the quality of material used in the manufacturing of their goods? I didn't until a couple of weeks ago.

Besides the actually manufacturing of a product, it's important to look at the printing, packaging and shipping methods used. What kind of inks are being used? How does the supplier handle waste issues? Does the supplier use recycled packaging? Where is the supplier located in relation to where the product is being shipped?

Lastly, what does the supplier do to "give back"? Some suppliers give a percent of sales of pink products to breast cancer foundations. Others have organized community outreach events. And some will donate products to charity events and fundraisers.

Does your promotional products consultant council you in these areas? Maybe until the industry as a whole comes around, some of the responsibility should be on the client. So next time you place an order for water bottles or t-shirts you ask your consultant a couple of questions other than, "How much will this cost?"

Treeless Paper... Really?

Here's a new environmentally sound product I recently became aware of.

Green Smart™ Treeless Paper is the best eco-friendly material that not only provides a great product, but also reduces the consumption of two of our greatest resources: trees and water. This factory spent 10 years developing the process to make Treeless Paper. If you are interested in really going GREEN then you need to check out GREEN SMART™ Treeless Paper.

A revolutionary innovation, Green Smart™ Treeless Paper is the newest and most Eco-Friendly material to-date; composed of 80% calcium Carbonate (the main element of stone) and 15% natural resin. The result of this technology, during the production of Green Smart™ Treeless Paper, no wood pulp, no water, no acid, no alkali, no bleach is used; saving tons of wood and water, helping prevent water pollution and ozonosphere. In addition, saving energy because less electricity is used to produce Green Smart™ Treeless Paper than traditional wood-pulp paper. Furthermore, Treeless Paper is waterproof and oil proof and under natural environmental conditions, it will biodegrade in less than one year and is recyclable.

Green Smart™ Treeless paper is environmentally safe. It uses no natrium (Latin for sodium), Hg, Lead or cadmium. It provides an excellent printing surface that beautifully accepts 100% eco-friendly inks, including inks made from soybeans. And it meets FDA requirements. Green Smart™ Treeless Paper is available in a variety of thicknesses and can be used just like paper and cardboard. It is available in press sheets and rolls. Treeless Paper can therefore, be used -- just like paper and cardboard -- to produce a variety of products, like shopping bags or even stickynotes.

What's your next project that involves the use of traditional paper? Maybe it's time to consider Green Smart™ Treeless paper.

Green is the New Black

By Kenneth Hein

Organic apparel is all the rage. Here are four case studies showing how using green items can help boost a brand.

It wasn’t long ago – really, just a few years – that eco-friendly apparel seemed like one of those nice ideas whose time was far into the future. It was akin to such fascinations as plug-in cars and wind-generated power plants. However, much like these other “green” trends, the demand for such products has finally begun to take hold today. In the promotional products world, suppliers offering shirts, jackets and hats made from recycled plastic, coconut fiber, bamboo and organic cotton are quickly becoming plentiful. The trend is so front and center that Coca-Cola, one of the best-known brands in the world, has even begun selling branded T-shirts at Wal-Mart made from recycled plastic bottles. Companies that want to be portrayed as eco-friendly have quickly realized that the ad specialties they use in promotional efforts are equally reflective of their commitment to the environment as the amount of energy their manufacturing plants use or the volume of carbon emissions they release into the environment.

"Organic apparel is growing in popularity because consumers are looking for easy ways to clean up the environment,” says Lynn Syman of the Organic Trade Association. “By choosing green products of all types, they are reducing pesticide runoff, toxic exposure to farmers, mill workers and ultimately everyone. We all live downstream.”

The OTA estimates organic apparel sales will increase by 40% by 2011 compared to last year. In 2006, the last time it tracked purchases, sales were $203 million. Many distributors agree that last year, clients began asking about “green” apparel, but it wasn’t until this year that the tipping point occurred, where actual demand for the products began to pick up. “Every industry seems to be asking for it,” says Scott Alterman, co-owner of The Icebox, a promotional products distributor. “There is a lot of attention around these issues, and all of these companies are starting to get involved.”

For Karen Rankin, president of Quality Life Promotions, a marketing consultancy, living off of the land is already a part of her life. For the past seven years, she has stayed in a tent in the mountains when she makes her sales calls at West Carolina University – albeit a tent with carpeting and a full office. “I live green and sell green,” she says. “I haven’t found a ton of customers yet, but it’s going to hit pretty hard in the very near future.”

For many companies concerned about their eco-friendly image, it already has. Here are four examples of marketers who have already wholeheartedly opted to embrace promotional products that even Mother Nature would approve of.

Read Case Studies...

Groovy Earth-Friendly Campaign – Green T-shirts Against Toxicity

Computer screens, cell phones and microwave ovens contain all sorts of toxic elements that it’s best not to put them in a hole in the ground when they’re no longer of use. But, the reality is most of these items are carted away and put in landfills. In fact, an estimated 70% of toxic landfill waste is a direct result of technology. NBC Universal used Earth Week (April 21-25) to spur homeowners to recycle these items.

Its “Green is Universal” campaign kicked off on the Today Show on April 21. HP, Staples, the Environmental Media Association and Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) partnered for the event. Part of the push involved placing recycling bins, where consumers could place old electronics, at New York’s Rockefeller Center. In the New York area, consumers were invited to also bring their old equipment to participating Staples stores. HP offered $50 off its more energy-efficient printers and $150 off select computers in exchange for old models.

At Rockefeller Center, New York School of Visual Arts students were invited to create a giant mosaic using the donated products. ERI handed out “Green is Universal” T-shirts at the event. The brand typically provides eco-friendly shirts that say “Green is Good,” but it altered its tagline in honor of the event. ERI owns 1-800-Recycling (a service people can call for free to find out how to properly dispose of their electronics and other items).

“With us, it’s all about being in touch with our green DNA and spreading the word in as many positive far-reaching ways as possible,” said John S. Shegerian, ERI’s chairman and CEO. “So whether we are appearing at a local high school or on the Today Show, we make it a point to come armed with meaningful takeaways that inspire, empower and motivate people to think about the green messages we shared.”

In addition to shirts, ERI hands out logoed tins of chocolate-covered raisins that were grown on organic farms. Its business cards are even printed on recycled paper using soy ink. Shegerian said, “Everything we share is part of our message.”

Holiday Cards That Bloom

Each year we send out holiday greetings and wishes for a happy New Year to our family, friends, customers, etc. (Well at least we have the intention to.) It's a lovely tradition. Who doesn't like to see the holiday pictures of their nephews? Or read about Aunt Tina's summer adventure in Africa? We proudly display our cherished greetings around the house or office. Some even have a special card tree or wreath.

My question is, how does this effect the environment? An estimated 2 billion cards are sent each year. That's a lot of trees! How many of those cards are made from post-consumer recycled paper? And after the New Year when cleaning up all the decorations, where do those cards go? I doubt many make into the recycling bin.

I found a company that has a solution to the environmental impact all of our good wishes are causing. The Symphony Line offers Environmental gifts, cards, mailers and boxes that are handmade from recycled paper and embedded with seeds. After the card is received it can be planted to grow flowers, vegetables, herbs and trees.

This holiday season send your clients, family and friends your Winter greetings on a card that they can start an herb garden with. You can even send them an ornament that will grow into a tree or wrap your holiday gifts in boxes that bloom into flowers. They will remember your thoughtfulness for months or years to come as the gift continues to grow.

Click here to view the Symphony Line

The Power of the Sun in Your Hand

This is part of an article from the September 2007 issue of Promotional Marketing magazine.

At first glance, there doesn't seem to be much that is revolutionary about a solar cell phone charger, but oh how looks can be deceiving. Made by Better Energy Systems of Berkeley, CA, the Solio, a universal, portable hybrid charger, is truly a step (or two) above. With its unique three-blade design and recycled plastic shell, the Solio eliminates the need for "old-fashioned" wall charges by collecting and storing solar energy. Then, once the item is imprinted with a company's logo, end-users simply can pug in a wide array of portable devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras and PDAs. For those in gloomier climates such as Seattle, have no fear--Solio also comes with a wall charger in case the sun doesn't shine for some time.

While it provides a cutting-edge electronic device (and turns other electronic items carbon-negative), the true benefit of the Solio may be the effect it has on its users. The company doesn't want simply to provide portable electricity: It wants to change the way people think about the environment. "It's putting renewable energy in peoples' hands in a very personal, renewable way," says Mike Levin, business development manager at Better Energy System. "It's one thing to put solar panels on your roof. It's another thing to put them in you hand where you use them every single day." Furthermore, by making solar technology part of the everyday experience, Solio is seeing its users make environmental steps in other areas. "Our research has found that our users are making other environmentally conscious decisions." added Levin. "We want to break down the barriers of environmental responsibility so people don't have to make these huge leaps in terms of behavior."

In the end though, the makers of Solio know it isn't enough to provide a product both perfect for imprinting and environmentally flashy with its green-ness; they need to provide a device that performs well and stands the test of time. Which they seem to have accomplished.

Does a Business Card Have to be a Business Card?

I was reading an article called "How'd they do that?" (similar concept to the TV show "Made in America"), on the making of chocolate business cards and it got me thinking, Does a business card have to be a business card?

Chocolate business cards receive a bigger "WOW" from the recipient than a traditional card stock card, but probably not the most practical method of giving your contact information. I am guessing many chocolate cards are consumed prior to being entered into a CRM program or database. But still, what a unique way to stand out from the crowd.

I started looking at other "non-traditional business cards". Some of the ideas were not all that unique. We've all seen business card magnets, tip calculators, letter openers and calendars. But then there were some interesting products that got the gears turning.

• Lenticular cards - great for contrasting old, boring, plain with new, exciting, vibrant.
• Emery board cards - If you are a salon, spa or just cater toward women, this is a great way to stay in front of your target audience. (At least whenever she chips a nail.)
• Plantable Cards - These are business cards that are made from recycled paper with seeds embedded in them. When you plant and water them, they grow into a flower. What a great way to show you are committed to the environment.
• Mints in Business Card size case - These would be especially appreciated at networking events.
• Pre-Paid Cards - This is by far my favorite! Pre-Paid cards can be used for music or ring tone downloads, movie tickets, phone time or photo prints. The great thing about these cards is that for the recipient to receive their gift they have to go to a website branded with your company and information. You can have them fill out a brief survey, or view a product prior to completing the transaction. Wouldn't it be great if after a trade show, your booth visitors not only had your product reinforced in their mind, but did the work of entering their information into your database? To learn more about pre-paid cards, click here.

These were just a few of the products I found. There were so many more, I cant list them all. I'd love to hear what the most unique business card you've received or used was.

How do you carry all that stuff?

An Expo Tote or Conference Messenger bag is essential for every meeting goer. Where else would you put all the handouts, brochures, stress balls, pens, etc. that you pick up as you travel from booth to booth?

Gemline has come out with a line of eco-friendly bags. The Eco-Choice line has several different styles of bags made from either recycled or organic materials.

The Recycled Essential Portfolio (above) is made from 51% recycled fabric. This line also has an Organic Economy Tote made from 100% organic cotton. But my favorite bag in the Eco-Choice line is the Organic Spa Tote (right). It too is made from 100% organic cotton with a front straw panel and coconut button closure provide added appeal.

View the entire Eco-Choice Line

A gift that says "You Mean the World to Me!"

Having a hard time expressing to your clients or employees how much they mean to you? Give them the world - at least a miniature world.

EcoSpheres are a miniature worlds that fit in the palm of your hand. They contain marine shrimp, algae and seawater. It sustains itself by producing and recycling everything it needs to survive. "It's the perfect balance of life and art, technology and nature; a living treasure and an incredible learning tool.", says Michel Harmony, owner of EcoSphere Associates, Inc.

The EcoSphere is a living example of cooperative relationships. What better way to say to someone, what we do together is important? It can be used to say thank you for a job well done or thank you for your business.

The EcoSphere is a techie gift, earthy gift, and high-end premium gift. It also works well as an award. It's perfect for someone who has everything and yet appreciates something unusual.

For more information about the EcoSphere, visit their website, www.ecosphereasi.com.

The Industry is Going Green

The September edition of Advantages magazine, a trade publication for the promotional products industry, is all about how the industry is following the trend of going "GREEN".

Many suppliers are adding quality organic and recycled products to their lines. They are implementing eco-friendly printing processes such as digital printing that uses water-based inks and recycling the cartridges they come in. I'm very grateful that the suppliers in my industry are stepping up to the plate and doing their part to help our environment.

Now it's up to me and you to take advantage of this opportunity.

I promise to do the research. I will continue to learn about organic products and their contribution to the environment. I will learn which suppliers are truly committed to being environmental responsible. I will offer eco-friendly products to my customers as an alternative to the conventional products that may be damaging to the environment.

But it's really up to you to make the difference. Next time you need a product to carry your message to your target audience, choose to go "GREEN". Use a biodegradable pen made from plant fibers, not oil; a journal made from recycled materials.; a t-shirt made from organically grown cotton; a tote made from bamboo or straw.

Our combined efforts to be environmentally conscious and to do the right thing will pay off for years to come. As the demand for eco-friendly products rises more suppliers in this industry and others will take on an environmentally responsible policy.

Let's prove Kermit the Frog wrong! It is easy being GREEN!