VIEW: Packaging On the Path to Green
The recent push from retailers for greener packaging has suppliers realizing a few additional benefits: smaller packaging reduces the amount of space and fuel needed for transporting the products, and reduces the amount of shelf space needed to display the products – thus getting more products on shelves at once.

Surprisingly, Wal-Mart is one of the retailers at the forefront of the packaging reduction movement. Perhaps, because its plan to reduce packaging by 5% in the next 6 years will save the company a projected $3.4 billion.

Solutions to greener packaging can include bio-based and recycled/recyclable content, to simple size reduction.

How can your company reduce the packaging on its products?

If you don't manufacture products, how can you reduce the amount of resources you use to promote or sell your service?

NEWS: Our Eco-Footprint Is Complete
Using an ecological footprint calculator developed by TheGreenOffice.com, Strategic Sustainability Consulting assessed our office's carbon footprint via employee surveys and an on-site visit.

We supplied information such as business miles traveled via air and car, electricity and gas usage, water and paper usage, among other bits of information about Studio 22's work culture.

This report helps us realize what our footprint is, and how to go about offsetting it. If you'd like to explore a copy of our report, please email us!

VIEW: The Growing Demand for Sustainability
Recent headlines have said:
"Gen Y Shoppers Drawn To Greener Marketers,"
"Retailers Push Packagers To Think 'Green',"
"Good workplaces bring about focused, energetic employees,"
and "Virgin Mobile to Green Up Product Packaging."

So, the question is...how can your business cater to the growing demand for more sustainable products and services? A few ideas, just for starters:

FOR THOSE PRODUCING PRODUCTS
- Create smaller packaging using recycled (optimal) or renewable, and recyclable material.

- Audit your supply chain. (Did you know that 80% of Honda's North American suppliers are green certified?)

- "Climate cool" your shipping. Check out the Climate Neutral Network for information.

FOR THOSE PROVIDING SERVICES
- Turn off your equipment when you leave the office each evening; and put it in a sleep or power-down mode when not in use for more than 10 minutes.

- Offset your carbon emissions for all business travel -- whether road or air.

- Choose a green design firm (who will specify sustainable options for your promotional pieces) to help you market your services!

FOR BOTH
- Offer green benefits packages to employees.

- Allow time off for volunteer activities.

- Allow employees to telecommute 1 or more days per week.

NEWS: Studio 22 Launches New Division -- SustainabilityReports.com
Evidence shows that social and environmental responsibility pays--in the form of improved employee loyalty, better brand recognition, stronger community relations, and fewer environmental problems. But in order to fully realize the benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), people need to know about your commitment.

That is why we've launched a new division of Studio 22 -- SustainabilityReports.com. The new site answers the questions that many executives and business owners have about CSR. Reporting on your practices will connect your organization with its stakeholders--investors, employees, the media, the community.

We're scheduling kick-off meetings now for the months of October through December. Let us know how we can assist your company in creating a CSR program, or how we can help you communicate what you're already doing!

NEWS: We're Honored
Studio 22 is pleased to announce that three pieces we designed during 2006 have been honored with American Graphic Design Awards.

The three decade-old competition is presented by Graphic Design USA and sponsored exclusively by Adobe Systems Incorporated. It is open to everyone in the community: advertising agencies, graphic design firms, corporate, institutional and publishing in-house departments, and more. It honors outstanding new work of all kinds: print and collateral, advertising and sales promotion, packaging and point-of-purchase, internet and interactive design, broadcast and motion graphics, corporate identity and logos.

Our winning entries include:
- A logo for Quarry Connections, a national stone supplier,
- The 2006 sustainability report for Strategic Sustainability Consulting, a consultancy helping organizations actively manage their social and environmental impacts, and
- CD packaging for public service announcements for the National Association for Music Education.

The competition receives over 10,000 entries annually, with less than 10% of entries being awarded.