A great philosopher named Kermit the Frog once said, “It’s not easy being green.” Despite that, the world seems content to try.

Over the past decade or so, everyone—from individuals to large corporate entities—have been doing their best to “Go Green,” putting the best interests of our environment and natural resources above all else. And why not? We’ve got a nice little planet here! We should take care of it!

The interesting thing about the “Green Movement,” as some call it, is that it’s completely scalable. Anything as simple as carpooling, as complex as redesigning soda bottles caps and everything in between has a positive effect on our planet, our environment and our future. Seeing as how so much can be done in such simple ways, it’s no wonder that the world at large has been quick to adapt to a new green lifestyle.

Retailers are no different. It’s now common place to build a reputation on customer satisfaction by listening to their eco-friendly sentiment and offering packaging made from recycled content, as well as reusable bags. Also, by adopting a green mentality to their stores, retailers can build a reputation for their eco-conscious ways—a nice compliment to a store’s reputation for stellar products and services.

In last week’s post, we discussed the idea of using the right packaging to carry your brand further. In this week’s post, we’re going to take that idea one step further by explaining how to use your retail packaging as a means to building your name as an environmentally conscious brand. Many major retailers are already using their packaging as a means of engaging customers into thinking greener while promoting their brand. By following that lead and taking it further to suit specific customers, retailers stand a good chance of boosting their brand–as well as their bottom line—while doing right by Mother Earth!

Here’s some steps to help get started:

Team Up!
All initiatives work better when the participants are on the same page. That said, the first thing to do is let customers know you’re with them about going green. There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the simplest is printing it on your custom-designed bags and boxes. Printing easy recycling ideas on the bottom of a box or the side of a bag is a great reminder to your customers, but also a way to proudly wave your green flag.

Encourage Creative Recycling
While some retailers encourage customers to bring back their packaging for reuse, there are more creative ways to recycle, some of which could potentially promote a retailer’s brand. For example, there’s a whole sub-culture of artists who work in the medium of recycled plastic and paper retail packaging (no, seriously! Take a look!) Hosting a contest to see who can create something new out of your recycled retail bags and boxes is an original way to encourage customers to go green while potentially spreading your brand. Imagine the attention a retailer could get if a customer made a handbag out of bags that had the store’s logo on it.

Donate to Re-users
While allowing customers to turn in and recycle their old retail bags and boxes can help the environment, a more charitable option exists: Donation. Many local charities, churches and even elementary teachers are willing to accepted recycled bags and boxes to use to their ends. For instance, many churches regularly host flea markets and bazaars, most of which use donated retail packaging for their goods. If your donated packaging already has your logo on it, that opens your branding efforts to a whole new demographic.

These are just some ideas to further your brand while pursuing a more eco-friendly agenda. As always, the secret to successful branding is creativity and flexibility. Fortunately, those traits can be used to help the planet at the same time.

What about you? What other ways do you stay “green” with your retail packaging?

In business, “branding” has become the new buzz word. Now, many may read that and, correctly, point out that this “new” buzz is anything but. The concept of branding is only a day younger than the concept of marketing, after all. But thanks to new tools and technology—social media, in particular—many companies are rushing out, trying their hardest to create the newest trends and tweets and blogs to get their marketing message across while forgetting about the fundamentals of branding and what it really means.

Branding, as one expert suggests, isn’t restricted to a company’s logo or its appearance online. Instead, a brand encompasses everything about that company: the aesthetics of the logo, the emotions its product inspires, the appeal those products have to the world at large. Everything a company does affects its brand.

Though it may not seem like it, something as simple as a bag can speak volumes about a company and the philosophy that company represents. Retail packaging plays a major role in this–that’s why you won’t find jewelry store customers carrying their purchases home in t-shirt bags.

The tricky thing about using retail packaging is that it’s such a practical need, that many people don’t consider how it reflects upon the retailer. This can serve a company to its advantage, if done right. Here are a few tips to remember when trying to find the best retail packaging support your brand:

- Know Yourself: Who are you, and how are your products/serviced perceived? Are you known for classing things up? Maybe you’re known for staying green? Your retail packaging is going to be one of the main outlets for reinforcing that perception.

- Know the Customer: Do they look for value? Do they look for luxury? The right bags and boxes can go a long way in helping them tell others what they, as consumers, believe in.

- Know the Experience: The most important thing to remember with branding is that you’re not selling just the products or services; you’re selling a sleek, customized experience that patrons take home with them (and hopefully re-use to carry your brand even further). They take this experience home in the packaging you provide—make sure the packaging is as memorable as the experience!

What do you think? Any lessons you’ve learned about branding that you’d be willing to share?

Earth Day 2011 is just around the corner (April 22nd). At S. Walter Packaging we are committed to taking care of the world around us. That is why you’ll find many products in our catalog made from recycled paperboard and other post-consumer materials, and a selection of reusable bags for environmental peace-of-mind.

As a user and supplier of plastic bags for retail, we would like to encourage the recycling of plastic bags by retailers and businesses who use these products. That is why we are offering our Recycling Program Kit at the new everyday price of just $9.99.

Show your commitment to the environment by having a customized recycling box in your place of business. We will include labels with your store name and environmental statement! When your box is full of clean, dry, plastic bags ready to be recycled, simply place them in pre-addressed shipping container and mail them to S. Walter. We will do the rest!

This Recycle Kit includes a sturdy container with slogans announcing “Recycle here!”; space for two personalized labels; a lid giving details of the program (plus the statement “Please Recycle!); a window sign; and the first two return bags. It’s simpler than ever to show your commitment to the environment. Order yours today and show your consumers you care!

A Little About Earth Day
In the heady era of the 1960s, environmental awareness was just one off-shoot of a vitalized political idealism and urge for social justice and peace. The first Earth Day, organized for April 22, 1970, was designed as a “teach-in” about the environment, mimicking popular teach-ins about the Vietnam War. The day was picked to coincide with the date of the Spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and also falls on Arbor Day in some states, a similarly nature-centered day celebrated since the early twentieth century.

Earth Day anniversary celebrations in 1990 and 1995 gave new life to the environmental movement, and the day is now a recognized and celebrated annual event, a time to ponder humans’ place on the earth and consider our footprint. 2011 marks the 41st anniversary of the original Earth Day, and the occasion will be marked in countries around the world.

St. Paddy’s Day is a time to celebrate! Find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with the special St. Patrick’s Day Packaging sale from S. Walter. For a limited time only, you can get 10% off any purchase of $150 or more, only at swalter.com! Just use coupon code E135 at checkout to take advantage of these feckin’ good savings! That’s the luck of the Irish! But don’t delay, the offer lasts just until March 31. It’s enough to make a leprechaun dance!

Something borrowed; something green.
With environmental consciousness penetrating every aspect of our lives, from grocery shopping to home construction, it’s no surprise that “green” is a growing trend in that most special part of our lives: the wedding day. If you take pains to recycle plastics, watch your gas mileage, and eat local foodstuff, why succumb to over-consumption in planning your wedding?

Arranging a green wedding means considering every aspect of the special day, from the venue to the party favor. Outdoor venues like arboretums and state parks are a good choice for eco-conscious brides. And picking a venue close to most guests saves energy required to travel. Young couples, used to using the internet for all communication, feel comfortable sending save-the-date notices and even invitations by email or by pointing guests to a special event website. Others send invites on recycled, natural paper and use small-reply envelopes.

On the gift registry, eco-conscious brides can direct guests to give philanthropic gifts to environmental organizations or other charities. Brides can take “something borrowed” to its conclusion and buy or borrow a second-hand wedding dress, or wear a dress that can be worn for more than just that occasion.

Jon Gangwer, owner of Wellspun Wedding Films, a leading Philadelphia wedding videos company, sees the green wedding trend first-hand: “we’ve seen more and more brides choose eco-friendly venues, create menus featuring local food, and using recycled paper or email invitations.” For photos and videos, the trend is to get most wedding images online, saving in mailing and printing. “Of course,” continues Gangwer, “this trend provides financial as well as environmental boost.”

Indeed, green weddings tend to be simpler, less costly affairs, with outdoor receptions, low-key decorations, and pared-down meals. And with over two million weddings every year in the United States, a more to eco-conscious planning could have worthwhile culminative effects.

S.Walter Packaging provides an array of product for weddings, including small, recycled paperboard gift boxes for favors, and gift wrap for reusable decoration. Events can be customized with printed (recycled paper) gift bags, a multi-use memento of that special day.

Having a great packaging program does not mean sacrificing your green image. Here’s how to assess and improve the environmental impact of your packaging.

Environmental consciousness is about more than just caring for the planet. Having a green mindset can save money and improve your company image. High-quality, well-designed packaging creates lasting brand recognition and customer loyalty, but seeing your logo imprinted on a unwanted piece of litter is hardly a great advertisement for your brand. Paying attention to your packaging’s material, use, and disposal, will make your packaging program a source of pride rather than shame.

Materials:
When possible, select packaging made from recycled materials, made for repeated use, or in a range of sizes that will limit trash volume.

Some of the best gift boxes and paper shopping bags are made from recycled material. For added “green” feel, select kraft paper shoppers; they are not just made from post-consumer paper, they have that natural, earth-friendly look.

Bags made of polypropelene non-woven resin (aka PPNW bags) are designed to be used weekly for two to three years. PPNW or canvas bags make environment sense because they will not be immediately discarded, their re-use will also provide a powerful platform on which to advertize your brand. High-quality paper shoppers or frosted diecut bags also see multiple use before they are thrown away.

Paper merchandise bags and plastic T-shirt bags are made for single use, but they can be a part of a environmentally friendly packaging program. Reduce the financial and landfill waste caused by oversized packaging by ordering matching gift boxes and merchandise bags in a range of sizes.

Use:
Does your packaging create added worth for your customer?

Regardless its the material, packaging that customers value is more likely to be re-used. Setting up a packaging program that considers the look and style of your brand does more than improve your company image and generate sales. A sturdy, high-quality Eurotote or Jellybag shopper with an attractive logo from a recognized brand will be used over and over again, fostering brand loyalty and providing added exposure. Custom packaging makes sense for your company and your planet.

Disposal:
Much of the attention on a product’s life cycle is given to disposal. Too much of our waste ends up polluting highways or waterways or clogging up landfills. Implementing a custom packaging program gives your packaging value, making it less likely to end up as roadside litter detrimental to your company’s brand or to be thrown away after just one use.

For added impact and to show your customers you care about the neighborhood and planet, set up an easy-to-implement packaging recycling program. This is easier than you think. S.Walter’s simple Bag It. Box It. Green. program offers collection boxes, customized labels, signage, and return reports to get you started. (call your sales rep or 1.800.523.8888 for more info).

Like any good modern company, S.Walter considers the environmental impact of the products it sells and distributes. It’s not just good for the world, it’s good for business.

Join S. Walter Packaging as we celebrate Earth Day 2010 on April 22^nd. This day is set apart to honor our planet, while reflecting on the advances made towards a healthier Earth. Starting in 1970, April 22^nd has been a time to celebrate our planet, focus on inspiring awareness and develop an appreciation for our planet’s precious environment.

As a user and supplier of plastic bags, S. Walter is committed to green packaging initiatives. Through our “Bag It. Box It. Green!” Program, clean, dry plastic bags can be returned for recycling. The Recycling Kit includes a sturdy base announcing “Recycle here!” with space for two personalized labels (included in your order: call for details); a lid giving details of the program; a window sign; and the first two return bags.

During the entire month of April, S. Walter Packaging is promoting “thinking green” by offering our Recycling Kit to you at 10% off its regular price. At the Check Out, make sure to use coupon code: EA41 to get your savings! Hurry, offer ends May 4, 2010.

But wait! To thank you for choosing GREEN, S. Walter would like to reward you with a special, bonus coupon for purchasing the Recycling Kit.  This 10% off coupon can be applied to your next in-stock purchase of $150 or more between April 6 and June 8, 2010.

Disclaimer:  Offer applies to in-stock selected sale items only while supplies last.Your coupon must be redeemed online at the time of checkout and may not be combined with any other offer.