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.