CustomEarthPromos - Eco Blog US

Who said marketing always needs to be high on cost, leaving you with practically no budget flexibility to improve your products or services? An effective marketing strategy is the one that not only creates curiosity among your target audience, but also does not increase your expenditures largely. If you are looking for ways to promote your business, here are a few eco-friendly options for you to do the same. Not only are these strategies affordable, but they will also help you label your company as an eco-friendly firm, which will in turn bring you more appreciation. Simple yet Effective Marketing Techniques Methods of Promotion Go for non-print ads: Commercial and radio advertisements have always been a favorite with not just the masses, but also the manufacturers. These ads are eye-catching and interesting. Plus, with digital scripting you do not have to feel guilty about trashing down several pieces of paper in the brainstorming session. Non-print ads like TV and radio advertisements don't always have to be expensive. Online or local sources will not just charge you less, but also help you cover your desired areas effectively. What's more, you can even rely on YouTube, which will virtually cost you nothing. Use recycled paper: In case you just can't do without print ads, choose recycled paper to print your ad. Also, printing these days has turned eco-friendly, so look for those options too. This may look like a small step, but it certainly makes huge difference when businesses support it. Plant a tree: Wondering how this can help you attract customers? Well think about it. With this option, all you have to do is come up with a promotional program where you plant a tree every time a specific product is purchased by your customers or a certain goal is achieved by your company. People will automatically start looking at you as an eco-friendly firm, which will help you get some more new loyal customers. Marketing Techniques for Some Good Old Eco-Friendly Promotional Items Eco-friendly promotional items are one of the most budget-friendly as well as effective marketing techniques and tools business' use. Not only do they promote your products and services, but they also serve as constant reminders of keeping the environment clean and green. These promotional products will not require you to spend a ton on them as you can invest in as small as notepads made from recycled paper, cloth bags and so on. Source

Over the last two decades, there has been a conscious effort towards shifting from environmentally harmful products to more sustainable and organic ones. If there is one industry where this trend has been most prevalent, it is that of lifestyle. Reusable wine bags, now commonly used in grocery stores, are a fantastic way to retain practicality and function, while reducing one's carbon footprint. Benefits of Having Promotional Reusable Wine Bags Regardless of the industry space that you operate in, only one thing is for certain – you will need to create awareness and promote your brand and your product through creative advertising. Reusable wine bags offer businesses and business owners an innovative way to market their brands, while also aligning themselves with agendas of social responsibility. Purchasing customizable non woven wine bags that retail as low as $1 to $3 can do wonders to generate consumer awareness, and increase overall sales. Non woven wine bags also make wonderful gifts for special occasions like birthdays, holidays or anniversaries. Many stores offering these products typically integrate them into discount schemes, allowing you to maximize the value you get from your shopping budget. However, the benefits of reusable wine bags do not end with just sustainability. Such bags actually offer far more ease and convenience than large boxes in which wine is stored. These bags allow weight to be distributed equally across the entire compartment, making them easier to carry and transport. Each bag can carry up to 6 bottles of wine. Non woven wine bags do not need to be exclusively used to carry wine. Many individuals have found them to be an effective option when carrying a range of other items as well. Such bags are extremely sturdy and durable, enabling individuals to use them for prolonged periods of time. Coupled with the fact that they are manufactured in a responsible manner, there is no better option available in the market. Reusable wine bags can be used to carry simple items like cleaning supplies, provisions and clothing among many other things. Reusable Wine Bags Are a Great Eco-Friendly Alternative to Plastic As such, they provide a comprehensive alternative to plastic or paper bags that may be flimsy, and hard to carry. Reusable wine bags have proven to be an effective way for wineries to reduce their carbon footprints, and stir increased awareness about healthy and sustainable living. These bags allow wineries to vastly reduce the amount of material they waste, while also providing a great solution to consumers.

City officials from Sacramento seemed to have come under intense scrutiny when they passed a bill known as SB 270 that disallows grocery and convenient stores from providing lightweight plastic bags to customers. Customers have commented that these bags are often termed, ‘single-use' but are in fact used multiple times for several domestic purposes. It has also been stated that the fee levied on individuals required to purchase reusable bags may not go towards clean up and restoration programs, and may instead simply line the pockets of the California Grocers Association. What Are the Prohibitions If You Arent Using Non-Woven Polypropylene Bags? The SB 270 bill, which is likely to be passed by the Assembly in the next coming days, requires all retail outlets from providing any form of single-use carry bags to customers. Moreover, if these stores do wish to provide bags, they will need to do so in the form of reusable non-woven polypropylene bags at 10 cents a bag. SB 270 also sanction a sum of $2 million in loans and grants extended to manufacturers, that is to be used to introduce new facilities that allow for the production of these bags. This sum will also contribute towards the implementation of recycling programs across the city. While the sponsor of the bill, Senator Alex Padilla has stated that approximately 88% of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) bags do not reach recycling facilities, his argument has been contradicted by the American Progressive Bag Alliance which states that the thicker HDPE bags that the bill does allow for actually takes five times more energy to produce than the lightweight ones. The APBA continues by stating that the bill will primarily benefit grocers who could take home an additional $189 million from the pockets of their customers. What Makes Non-Woven Polypropylene Bags Better than Plastic Bags? Despite the heavy criticism that the bill has received, its primary purpose is to encourage individuals to shift towards the use of re-usable non-woven polypropylene bags that many stores sell for just a dollar. While individuals have commented that the previous plastic bags do also have some degree of re-usability, city officials are expectant that the new bags permitted under the bill will provide a far better alternative. Officials have commented that the use of reusable bags is not a brand new idea, and that it has been implemented with success across numerous states in the United States. As long as the collected fees are received by government bodies with accountability, the use of new reusable bags can work towards increased environmental sustainability, and improved recycling efforts. Source

The community of West Hartford is slowly implementing a new and creative way to increase recycling participation rates, in the quest for a more environmentally friendly city. Regardless of where you live, your lifestyle, the size of your home, or the number of members in your family, what is clear is that at some point in time, you will have bulky items that are non-tradable or unmarketable. West Hartford government officials have sanctioned the city-wide recycling hauling company, Paine's with the task of picking up these unwanted items from residents' doorsteps, for particular permit fees. Different Recycling Permit Categories in West Hartford  Although some unwanted items can be donated to various charitable organizations located within the city of West Hartford, individuals do still encounter difficulties disposing of some items. For those unwanted items that cannot find a new home, Paine's provides an effective solution. Residents of Hartford can purchase four different types of permits from Paine's before scheduling a pickup visit from the recycling hauler. The new recycling scheme is all set to come into practice by July 1. The first of these permits pertains to large mattresses and box springs. Such permits cost individuals a total of $45, and will be collected by Paine's every Wednesday. Residents need only to schedule a visit by 2 pm on Tuesday. The second permit is for large and bulky items such as furniture, kitchen appliances, and other metallic objects. These permits amount to $36. Paine's will collect these items on the regular trash collection , as long as a visit is scheduled by 2pm on the previous business day. Individuals can also drop off particular items that do not fit in the recycling barrels provided, at the Recycling and Yard Waste Center. No permits are required for these objects. It is also important to note that the revenues generated through these permits do not go towards recycling programs, but are only designed to offset Paine's own visitation expenditures. There are some limits extended on these permits, with individuals of West Hartford are encouraged to visit the Paine's official website to learn more about them. How Can Eco-Friendly Promotional Items Be Recycled and Used? The new scheme is primarily designed to encourage individuals to shift towards the use of more eco-friendly promotional items in their daily lifestyles. Upon acknowledging increased demand for such products, recycling and manufacturing companies would be incentivized to further invest in these products, resulting in far more sustainable day-to-day practices. Moreover, increased recycling activity will also naturally translate to reduced landfill dumping and overall environmental sustainability. Source

It finally looks like South Carolina, and Greenville in particular, have been making headway with recycling initiatives. Statistics indicate that if the all the waste material that is currently dumped into landfills, were separated and used instead in recycling projects, every city could in fact generate revenues rather than experience costs. A report present in the Greenville News shows that an increased effort towards recycling waste material in the form of convenient recycling programs could in fact lead to improved participation rates and environmental sustainability. Steady Progress Towards Recycling The state government of South Carolina have set a target to increase participation rates of recycling to 40 percent by the turn of 2020. Despite the fact that recycling rates in Greenville fell slightly from the previous year to 33 percent, there is still much to be encouraged from. The study shows that areas that were provided curbside recycling pickup facilities experienced far higher rates of recycling than earlier. Almost half of the Greenville population contributes to these recycling programs. While some cities like Fountain Inn have discontinued their recycling programs, citing unsustainable interest as the reason, others like Greenville and Mauldin have experienced rates as high as 47 percent and 50 percent respectively. These promising figures show that cities are probably wise to continue recycling programs even when they encounter low participation rates, in the hope that rising awareness will inevitably cause them to increase. The reason for the overall decline in South Carolina participation rates may, perhaps, be attributed to the fact that businesses within the community are not required to disclose their own recycling practices. The report from the publication also went on to state that almost 450,000 tons of recyclable material were disposed of, amounting to a total cost of $17.5 million. If these materials were recycled instead of being introduced into landfills, the state would benefit from an increased revenue of approximately $60 million. Promotional Reusable Bags for Boosting Recycling One of the key ways in which recycling can be combined with lifestyle is through the use of promotional reusable bags. Many of these bags solely use material that has been fully recycled. These bags provide effective alternatives to plastic or paper bags that are often used in grocery and convenient stores. Switching to promotional reusable bags, whether for shopping purposes or otherwise, will drastically encourage businesses to further invest in the idea, while remaining socially and environmentally responsible. Sturdy and practical promotional reusable bags is just one of the many ways that a community can reduce its carbon footprint, while retaining complete practicality. Source

Recently, a number of cities in Western Washington, including those of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County, have moved to activate an ordinance that completely bans plastic bags from grocery stores. The ban, which has already taken effect, has been introduced primarily to reduce the amount of plastic waste material entering waterways, lakes and oceans, endangering marine life. Retailers across these cities have commented that, although paper bag alternatives may be more expensive, they are hoping that customers will be moved to bring their own wholesale reusable bags when they visit stores. Everything You Need to Know About the Ban and Fee on Paper Bags The plastic bag ban introduced across Thurston County and neighboring cities is no different from the bans already implemented in major states like Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington. The ban is particularly targeted towards grocery stores, forcing them to switch to more expensive plastic bags. However, there are some exemptions included in the ordinance which allow for plastic bags to be used in certain circumstances. Plastic bags will still be provided by grocery stores but only for in-store usage, in order to carry heavy items like meat and produce. The ban does not extend outside of grocery stores, with dry cleaning outlets, newspaper stands and take-out restaurants still allowed to use them. Instead of plastic bags, grocery stores will be encouraged to provide a five cent fee on paper bags. The general reaction from mom-and-pop retailers has been positive, with many hoping that customers would begin to bring their own wholesale reusable bags, rather than choosing to pay the five cent fee for paper bags. Those grocery stores who do not abide by the ban will be susceptible to heavy taxes from the city council. Statistics show that members of Thurston County use approximately 90 million plastic bags every year. Many of these plastic bags find their way into the lakes, oceans and waterways. Small pieces of plastic that detach from these bags are often mistaken for food by marine life, who later die from contamination. Wholesale Reusable Bags Come into Demand After Fee on Paper Bags Retailers have long been encouraging customers to bring their own wholesale reusable bags to the store. Reusable bags are not only environmentally sustainable, but far more sturdy and practical than plastic or paper bags. The entire situation can be a win-win for customers and the community, as long as individuals rid themselves of the habit of using plastic bags. Source: http://www.theolympian.com/2014/06/29/3203164/thurston-countys-plastic-bag-ban.html  

After facing some dejection in 2007, Kerri Stenson with fellow Woodside citizen Cindy Goldberg is back this year with Urban Market Bags. Kerri is happy that the move she made a long time back in the Silicon Valley is now becoming a popular trend all over the country and that a ban on plastics all over is coming about. What's with the Reusable Bags? Most people are happy with using plastics because they are convenient to use and have been used for a long time. What the duo is trying to impress upon them is that manufacturer reusable bags, such as the ones they are selling, are no longer only for tree-huggers, they are becoming a popular fashion statement with the others too. The product this time comes in neutral-gender colors with attractive logo patches on them. There is one sack that contains other reusable bags inside it. Packs of 4 can be bought for $30 and of 6 for $40. They are easy to use, to wash and maintain and can also fit in your car's cup-holder! So people can no longer forget these bags at home, they're right in front of you in the car reminding you that you don't have to pollute the world or pay for plastic bags the next time you go shopping. People can easily buy these bags from Urban Market Bags' website and supply is already being taken care of by the delivery and warehouse guys hired by this duo. The bags are also available for sale at Namesake Cheescake at Menlo Park. Both ladies are ardent users of the reusable bags. They believe that the use of the bags can help the environment in a big way. With these trendy bags, you can now tout your shopped items and encourage other people to go the green way. With plastic bans being placed in most cities of USA, they are confident that this time, they can aim to go national and sell the bags to other cities too. Advantages of Using Manufacturer Reusable Bags Manufacturer reusable bags can be your best friends at the shopping mall. For groceries any other daily items too, these bags can be used. The best part is, once you invest in them, you can use them again and again. All you need to do is wash them in your dishwasher along with the other vessels and lo presto! They are ready to be used again. So use reusable bags to cut plastics costs and you do your bit for the environment. Source

London-based Green Tomato Cars' services have started on a positive note in Virginia. While its good news for environment-friendly people, companies likes Uber and Lyft may face stiff competition as Green Tomato is indeed a rival to them. Their prices a little steeper compared to the others but they have additional features like apps that give them an added advantage. Green Tomato Getting Ahead in the Eco-Friendly Race? Currently, the fleet of Green Tomato cars has only 25 cars and another 75 will be added to it shortly. Customers who have liked Uber have returned Green Tomato for repeated service as they have been very happy with their performance and the fact that they are so eco-friendly. D.C is the city which has promoted the use of car greens for a long time now so Green Tomato has consciously chosen this city first. Richard Moskowitz who is the sales and marketing director for the company has assured that prices are fixed beforehand so extended travel times due to traffic and other conditions will not affect the price. This just adds to the long list of benefits these cars already enjoy. The car, named after the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, has already proven its worth in London and the car makers are hoping the trend continues in this green-conscious city too. The car has two types of engines – fuel and electric. The switch from one engine to the other can be done effortlessly and the cars are attractive – Prius V. The emission level of the cars is incredibly low and makes very little noise. A definite bonus for those who want to travel in style! When green trends can cause significant changes in other fields, why not in your traveling style? Which Eco-Friendly Promotional Items Can Be Used? The Green Tomato cars are spacious, they are stylish and they have good horsepower and have captured the interest of man people in other cities in the world. With its entry in the US market, they of course wish to expand their client base and also impress upon their clients that eco-friendly items should be used more often. You have various eco-friendly promotional items like reusable bags and eco-friendly toys, all with the view of saving water, paper and cutting down on plastics usage. Travel in a Green Tomato car, if their services are offered in your city, and drive the green revolution home! Source

A lot of people all over the world are coming up with many green initiatives which not only benefit the environment but also save a lot of costs. Items which were dumped in landfills earlier like scrap metal and plastics are now being combined with other material to create durable, eco-friendly promotional items. One such example is eco-friendly toys. Play Along with Eco-Friendly Toys Jim Barber is a very conscientious parent who was curious to know where his child's toys were manufactured. When a report on the high lead content in popular toys was published in 2009, he realized most were manufactured in China and due to their hazardous nature had to be discarded. They were not environment-friendly either. To ensure children all over the world could play with toys that were safe and could later be recycled, he started the company – Luke's Toy Factory. Now managed by a grown up Luke, the company has received a very good response to its initial toys such as fire trucks with 5 interlocking parts. Products like dump and tanker trucks and flat beds can be joined with the fire truck using the linking bases provided in each of them. What makes the toys special are that they are completely lead free, are made out of wastes such as milk bottles, sawdust, rice holes and wheat straw. This makes the toy sturdy and also gives is a wooden feel. All parts are collected from within the USA so the manufacturing time is cut and gives more employment within the country. It is very economically priced at just $19.95. They are looking to expand the business, which is listed on Kickstarter.com. This company is similar to other companies that deal in waste-to-toys products such as Green Toys Inc. who have already entered into the South Korean market making traditional dolls. The toys have a very little amount if plastic making them mostly recyclable and environmental friendly. Eco-Friendly Toys and Other Fun Promotional Items Going green is now a priority for many cities and states. Councils are putting into effects bans and fines to ensure this is done. On the lighter side, there are also many eco-friendly promotional items doing rounds such as toys, reusable bags, pens and pencils, accessories and watches, apparels, award trophies and so on. Going green is not limited to just planting a lot of trees and conserving water. People are now aware that they can re-use items and prevent them from being dumped in the landfills. Source:http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/jun/16/eco-friendly-sustainable-toys-growing-market-waste-recycling

People all over the world opt for take-outs from eateries. What most people don't realize is that the environment gets impacted due to the use-and-throw plastic that is currently being used to wrap the food and there is no one to clean them all up. In a bid to protect the environment and cut costs, Ashley Workman has started a make your own bags initiative in Tybee Island. Interesting Ways to Protect the Environment and Go Green Workman has been passionate about protecting the environment since childhood and fell blessed to live so close to the ocean. As a result, she cannot stand the damage being done to it because of the use-and-throw plastic bags being used liberally in the 600 odd restaurants in Savannah. To raise awareness about the issue, to promote the usage of reusable and recyclable bags, Workman in association with local restaurants had arranged a Bring Your Own Bag week from June 14 to June 22. To help make the BYOB week a success, free reusable bags were distributed to the restaurants, some which Workman has made and some donated by big companies. People were encouraged to be a part of this green movement. Workman is confident that that every customer who discards plastic bags and starts using a reusable bag can also influence others positively to do the same. The initial resistance the make your own bags project may face because the use of plastic bags is convenient, can be overcome to a certain extent with the supply of the free reusable bags. This vast waste of plastics that has been going on for a long time has created an unrecyclable waste of vast proportions that has been affecting the sea creatures' lives and littering roads and sea shores alike. People were be made aware of the cost and environment benefits of using reusable bags during the week. How to Protect the Environment and Make Your Own Bags Many homemakers may have hobbies to make products out of canvas, cotton or jute such as t-shirts and hand bags. By encouraging people to also make reusable bags and buy food from restaurants, there are two things achieved. One, the environment becomes plastic-free to a large extent and two, customers and businesses don't have to shell out extra money to buy and stock plastic bags. These bags are thin and are for one-time use mainly. They are toxic wastes that kill sea creatures and many other innocent animals which choke on them while foraging for scrapes in waste cans. Source