Part 5 : How to reduce the environmental footprint of your marketing materials?
Paper, ink, printers: how can I reduce waste and protect nature?
35. Choose recycled or sustainably sourced paper for your flyers and other printed marketing materials,
Paper production has a significant impact on the environment:
- due to the resulting deforestation (disappearance of plant and animal species and greenhouse gas emissions caused by tree felling)
- and due to the energy, water and chemicals consumed during processing (shredding, washing, bleaching).
36. Choose print formats that limit paper wastage.
37. Choose vegetable inks (plant-based, non-mineral solvents).
38. Choose a printing firm that is aware of the environmental issues. Many inks used in printing are solvent-based. The evaporation of solvents helps ink dry, but generates a significant amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These colourless, odourless gases are extremely damaging to the environment (greenhouse effect, soil pollution, etc.) and health (asthma, cancer, etc.).
For more information, please consult the website Ecoconso.be
Banners and stickers - how to make the right choice ?
39. Choose polyethylene instead of PVC, which contains chlorine. The major problem with plastics is their low level of biodegradability - they can take over 100 years to break down. What is more, water, wind and erosion create smaller plastic particles, which can accumulate in the food chain, particularly when ingested by fish. PVC also gives off hydrochloric acid, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, which have a major impact on the environment. This is why PE (polyethylene) is preferable. However, the majority of non-paper marketing materials are still made from PVC to this day.
Want more information on the subject? Visit the website Ecoconso.be
Bags, packaging and containers - how to reduce your environmental impact, and that of your customers ?
40. Look for the “OK compost” label. Founded in 1994, the “OK compost” label offers containers and other materials (bags, labels, produce wrappers, paper bags, printed documents) that are fully biodegradable in an industrial composting plant.
To recognise it, visit the website Ecoconso.be
41. Inform customers of the steps you are taking. Give them the opportunity to do their bit by encouraging them to return packaging for composting: good for the environment... and your brand image!
42. Switch to organic cotton totes! As well as helping protect the environment, they are a great advertising tool. If they look good and have a stylish logo, customers will want to reuse them, increasing the visibility of your brand... free of charge!
43. For liquids, consider deposit-return! Turn your back on plastic containers and opt for glass bottles or WECK® jars (made in Belgium). Educating customers takes a little effort, but it gives you an opportunity to convey your values. Better still: encourage customers to bring their own bags or containers.
Want more information on the existing alternatives to plastic bags?
Visit the website Sufrider and Brussels Environment
