Corn Plastic 101

There are many interesting and unique ways to go green these days. One of the less well-known methods is substituting corn plastic for petroleum-plastic items. Yep — plastic can be made from corn! Although the technology to create plastics from corn has been around for over 20 years, it was too expensive and therefore only used sparingly. Now, recent advancements means corn plastic could be making a comeback.

Corn plastic is commonly known within the plastics industry as Polylactic acid (PLA), and it is produced by fermenting the natural starches in the plant. Because PLA comes from renewable, carbon-absorbing plants, it is considered more carbon-neutral than petroleum-based plastics. Another added benefit is the fact that no harmful or toxic fumes are released when PLA is burned.

One of the main selling points of PLA is the fact that it is compostable. Under industrial composting conditions, corn plastic can biodegrade into oxygen and water in less than 90 days. In landfills however, this process takes significantly longer. Because most corn plastic usually isn't recycled under optimal conditions, it is not considered a cure-all — but it is still a reasonable eco-friendly alternative to oil-based plastics for the time being. Scientists and engineers are continually improving corn plastics to create versions that will break down quicker in less-than-perfect conditions.

The next time you want to run a promotional campaign, consider using products fashioned from corn plastic, such as mugs, pens, or coasters. These office necessities are sold by the millions each year, so replacing them with corn plastic versions can make a big difference and help sustainable business practices gain a foothoold in every industry.

3 Ways to Green Your Direct Mail Campaigns

Direct mail campaigns are an effective way to market your business. According to United States Postal Service estimates, each dollar spent on direct mail yields a $12 return on average. Unfortunately, many of these campaigns aren't eco-friendly. They waste paper, use outdated mailing lists, and aren't recyclable. All of these factors and more add up to create a tremendous amount of unnecessary waste. If you're ready to go green with your direct mail to save time, money, and the planet, follow these tips:

1. Continuously update your mailing lists. Out-of-date or un-targeted mailing lists are nothing but a waste of money. Your list may contain duplicates entries that anger your customers, or they may contain contacts that aren't appopriate for the package you are sending out. By contantly reviewing and updating your mailing list, you make sure that you are dedicating resources to only your best and most relevant prospects. This immediately eliminates wasteful spending and resource consumption.
   
   
2. Use recycled materials. Instead of creating a larger demand for fresh paper, only use recycled materials. To ensure that your materials are recycled when your recipients are finished with them, use water-based inks, windowless envelopes, and uncoated stock. Using green printing practices is an easy way to make a great impression. Make sure to add a written reminder on your direct mail to encourage recipients to recycle.
   
   
3. Send eco-friendly promotional products. Sending promotional giveaways as part of your direct mail package can increase response rates by up to 50% Instead of sending cheap plastic items, opt for unique eco-friendly promo products made with sustainable materials. Not only are these items desirable, but they will enhance your company's reputation with a green consumer audience.

If you keep these basic tips in mind, you can green your direct mail campaigns in a manner that will save time, money, and resources. There's nothing better than a campaign that achieves its marketing goals while also remaining socially responsible!

Green Your Workspace: The Growable Lucky Bamboo Shoot Pot Set

Are your employees suffering the ill effects of dull, uninspiring workspaces? You can instantly freshen up the atmosphere in your office by furnishing each desk with ecological promotional products like this growable "good luck" bamboo shoot. Having a little bit of green nearby can rekindle morale, promote innovation and new ideas, and reduce stress. What's great about this eco-promo is that it comes in a fully biodegradable pot which can be branded with your company logo. That means no waste — only clear, effective brand-building. Your employees will appreciate this small gift, and the aesthetic improvements it creates in your office will be well worth the investment.

Eco-friendly Printing

If your business wants to cut down on waste, one of the first things you can change is your paper consumption and printing habits. By digitizing documents, using web-based project collaboration programs, and printing only what you need, you can cut down on office expenses as well as unnecessary paper waste.

You can also opt for green printing methods that use recyclable materials and eco-friendly inks, which is one way to address the problem at its source. Here's one example of a company that is helping people make the switch by offering eco-friendly printing services. Using Moo, you can have business cards, mini-cards, and various other items printed using recyclable paper sourced from sustainable forests. It's the little things that add up to create monumental change.

(photo via Flickr)

The Seeds of A Successful Promotion: Levi's Eco Jeans

Levi's has come up with a novel way to draw attention to their new line of eco-friendly 100% organic cotton jeans. These "green jeans" even use recycled materials to make the zipper and button! To grab the attention of shoppers, Levi's attached a unique promotional tag to each pair. When the tag is scrunched up, watered, and planted, it actually grows into a plant! There are plant seeds embedded inside the tag, a unique idea that accentuates the eco-friendly image Levi's is trying to convey.

This marketing campaign is a great example of a company using ecological promotions to raise awareness about green products. In other words, Levi's isn't being contradictory to their own principles. If they had marketed the eco-friendly jeans with thousands of paper flyers or imprinted plastic bags, consumers would immediately accuse Levi's of greenwashing. By making every aspect of the product green, including the promotional campaign used to garner attention for it, Levi's gains the trust of the green consumer audience.

(via Ads of the World)

Eco-Friendly Gadgets: Recycled Plastic 2GB USB Drive

When people think of eco-friendly promotions, they usually envision reusable tote bags, aluminum water bottles, corn plastic pens, and other basic items. Few people know that there are some interesting environmentally-friendly tech gadgets out there. One of these items is the popular USB drive, which allows recipients to store data and carry it with them easily. This particular USB eco-drive is made with 100% recycled plastic. You can even have data pre-loaded onto the drive before you give them out to your clients and prospects, making it a powerful promotional tool.

The eco-friendly USB drive holds 2GB of data, which is the perfect amount for normal usage around the office. Make a big impression on your recipients by offering a highly-functional green gadget that will give your brand some great exposure!

3 Creative Ways To Use Eco-Friendly Balloons

Eco-friendly balloons are a fun and effective way to communicate your marketing message without creating unnecessary waste. These special balloons are made with biodegradable materials that safely and naturally decompose when their brand-building job is complete. Here are some creative ways you can use eco-friendly balloons during your next promotional campaign!

1. Trade shows. Use eco-friendly balloons to draw attention to your booth at the next industry trade show! Running a successful booth is all about grabbing the attention of attendees, and colorful eco-friendly balloons are a great way to do it. Decorate your station with balloons that make you stand out from the crowd! You can also give your imprinted balloons out to younger visitors or anybody else who'd like one.
   
   
2. Grand openings. Balloons are commonly used as attention-grabbing decorations during the grand opening of a business. A sea of balloons can cause a passer-by to stop dead in their tracks to investigate what's going on. By using eco-friendly balloons in your grand opening promotion, you engage your audience while keeping true to your environmental principles. Your new customers will appreciate your eco-friendly mindset!
   
   
3. Gift sets. Incorporating eco-friendly balloons into a gift set is the perfect way to tie a package together. Try wrapping your imprinted balloon with a candy or food set to give to clients and employees during the holidays. Recipients will enjoy your festive gifts and you don't have to worry about harming the environment with synthetic plastics that never decompose.
   

These are just a few of the many ways you can put eco-friendly balloons to use during your next promotional campaign. These fun, inexpensive products are great for just about every industry and every size budget. Balloons are one of the few advertising staples that won't be going out of fashion any time soon.

Coming soon: Duane Reade Eco-tote!

Businesses of all shapes and sizes recognize that corporate contributions to the green movement are much needed. Signs like this one, photographed in front of a Duane Reade in New York City, show that many take the commitment seriously and are working to develop new sustainable practices. The sign indicates that Duane Reade, partnered with designer Alvin Valley, is about to introduce a new reusable shopping tote for its customers. The tote aims to be both fashionable and reusable, but no word yet on what kind of materials it will be made out of. Hopefully, Duane Reade has went the whole nine yards and commissioned their totes to be made out of recycled or biodegradable materials. We'll have to wait and see!

Your business can help fuel the green revolution by introducing eco-friendly products or practices wherever there is room for them. Whether you are giving out reusable totes to your customers, or simply opting for eco-friendly promotional products instead of common plastic items, you can make a difference.

(photo via Flickr)

3 Fresh Ways to Green Your Wardrobe

Going green means applying eco-friendly principles everywhere you can in daily life. One way to contribute to the cause is by greening your wardrobe and fashion habits. By making smart consumer choices, you can reduce pre- and post-consumer waste, support sustainable industries, and still look great! Motivate others to do the same by providing them with stylish clothing and wardrobe management tips that promote a greener lifestyle. Here are three ways you can get started:

1. Wash smarter. Washing your clothes is a process that uses up a lot of energy and water. To reduce this impact, only wash your clothes when you absolutely need to, and only when you have a full load. Washing a single pair of jeans is a big no-no! Use cold or lower temperature water settings, and only purchase eco-friendly detergents that won't put unnecessary chemicals into our water supply. Stock up on stain remover sticks for friends and family to eliminate unnecessary laundry, or avoid stains altogether with teflon-coated apparel that resists stains.
   
   
2. Wear organic clothing. Although it may seem like cotton is a relatively clean and natural thing to produce, it actually takes a full pound of fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural chemicals to produce cotton for 3 t-shirts! You can put an end to this unhealthy practice by purchasing organic cotton that is grown without these harmful chemicals. Many people report that organic cotton clothing is more comfortable anyway, and have no problem making the switch. You can also search for other fabric alternatives, such as bamboo.
   
   
3. Recycle...creatively! The average American throws away almost 68 pounds of clothing every year. This seems like an unnecessary waste to me! If you're not going to donate your old clothing to charity, at least find a way to recycle it into something new. Try turning that old pair of jeans into a sweet new purse or a stylish tote bag! There are tons of do-it-yourself projects that can recycle your old clothes into fashionable new items.

Follow this three tips and start making your life a little greener! The more each of us contributes, the faster we can reverse environmental damage and create a cleaner and better world for everyone. If you have any additional tips for greening your wardrobe, don't hesitate to post them in the comments section.

Buenos Aires to Remove 40 Thousand Billboards to Fight Visual Pollution

Most of us are familiar with air, water, and soil pollution...but have you heard of visual pollution? According to Wikipedia, visual pollution is "an aesthetic issue, referring to the impacts of pollution that impair one's ability to enjoy a vista or view." Some of the most common types of visual pollution include overhead power lines, graffiti, and as residents of Buenos Aires have learned, too many billboards!

Officials in Buenos Aires estimate that almost 60% of the current billboards in the city are illegally displayed. That means 40,000 signs are in violation of regulatory codes that are supposed to limit the size and location of commercial advertisements. Now, these signs are being taken down to improve the view, reduce the risk of accidents, and boost overall quality of life in the metropolis.

Understandably, many advertising executives are reacting negatively to the proposed crackdown. They believe the billboards offer a valuable service to society, although they do agree that some regulation is needed to preserve the value of billboard space. Maybe they should opt for highly-visible eco-friendly promotional products instead! Branded merchandise is an effective low-cost method to reach a target market with useful physical giveaways. Since promotional merchandise is made up of items that people already use on a daily basis, it's hard to imagine that it will cause any additional visual pollution in Buenos Aires or wherever else it is used.