This issue of WomenandBiz.com encourages you and your business to Think Green. It might seem that establishing an eco-friendly business is costly and not worthwhile, however, even when it costs more to be green, the gains outweigh the initial investment in many ways. In addition, local, state and federal government have established programs to assist small businesses in adopting environmentally safe strategies. In many cases, they offer grants, low interest rate loans, and other benefits to help your business become green, purchase eco-friendly equipment and materials, and invest in R&D – such as the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). Once you establish your business as green, selling eco-friendly products, adopting renewable energy, using environmentally safe equipment, having a social purpose and giving back, you are making a difference. The Think Green issue is not only about working towards an eco-friendly business, but it is also about establishing a business with a social purpose, finding ways to give back, and therefore improving the community as a whole.  Our guest writers share their experiences establishing businesses with social purposes; suggest ways to turn a portion of the profits into something meaningful to you and your community; discuss the benefits of volunteering and giving back; explain how you could run a greener direct marketing campaign; give examples of socially conscious companies; discuss how to adopt green technology and a lot more. We are also featuring three entrepreneurs that have established socially conscious businesses: Riley Weston, Founder of Skippy Dog Productions and author of “before i go“; Zena Nelson, Founder of South Bronx Food Cooperative; Margo Wright, Executive Director of Bodanna.To learn from other successful entrepreneurs, visit the Women in Business page, where you will find links to all interviews since the first issue. If you would like to be informed of our upcoming newsletters, please fill out the sign up form. Success establishing and growing your green business, Elisa Balabram
Editor, Womenandbiz.com

* How did these accomplishments serve me?
* How much effort and energy did I put into these accomplishments?
* Were the results mediocre or excellent?
* What could I have done differently to change the ordinary to extraordinary?

The one ingredient that turns the ordinary to extraordinary is a steady commitment to excellence. Career excellence requires that we constantly produce results beyond the ordinary, always pushing ourselves past our old limits. Looking at it another way, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is commitment. Commitment to excellence creates a quality of life in which you thrive and grow, displacing beliefs that an average result is good enough.

As you ponder the questions above, what are your answers, and what could you have done differently that would have created a more positive outcome?

Take a moment to think through the two or three things that you truly wanted to accomplish in your professional life last year but didn’t. How would your career, job responsibilities or business decisions have shifted had you put more effort into creating excellent results? Perhaps you would have gotten the promotion that you were angling for, made that big sale that you envisioned happening or landed that one account that might have made a significant difference in your business.

The great philosopher Aristotle sums up what is required to achieve excellence:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an art, but a habit”

Assuming this is true, then you might wonder in what perspective you have been standing. How will you look toward the year ahead? What impact would this perspective have on making sure that your accomplishments truly serve you and your goals? What changes could you make right now that would shift your average performance to excellent? And more importantly, what are you doing that keeps you from creating extraordinary results?

The question is, are you willing to embrace and accept who you are right now, then step into your own excellence? You can take charge of your life and leave the ordinary in the dust! Often, just by changing your perspective, you can shift mediocrity to excellence, and step into the peak performer that is already within you.

Not too long ago how you handled your company’s waste materials was your own business. Now, thanks to heightened global consciousness and the social media (blogs, podcasts, etc.) frenzy, if your company isn’t kind to the environment, chances are you won’t be in business long. If the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t close you down, the population at large will.

Even if you only have one computer in your office, it’s filled with enough toxins and poisons that, if not disposed of properly, could create a serious environmental hazard. For example, if you have an old style CRT monitor (the big bulky ones) it alone contains four to five pounds of lead. Now, imagine having to properly dispose of three, ten or 100+ computers.

The actual computer itself contains dozens of other types of dangerous materials such as cadmium (which has been linked to cancer), mercury (we all know the dangers of broken glass thermometers) and chromium (which has been linked to blood-based iron deficiencies, liver problems and brain damage in animals). And, this goes for other computer-like equipment as well – telephone systems, fax machines, printers, scanners, modems, cellular phones, wireless communication devices, digital assistants, televisions, cable boxes, etc. Holy smokes!

1. No, you’re never going to use it. Holding onto and stockpiling old computer equipment is just as bad as not disposing of it properly. Way more often than not, you never use the computer you’ve been holding onto for months for a “rainy day”. And, even if you did use it again, it would be outdated and present a security risk for your company.
2. Trade-up instead of throwing out. Many computer manufacturers have trade-in programs – like used cars. They accept full responsibility of your computer’s disposal in exchange for offering you a rebate on your new system. What’s in it for them? Many manufacturers get tax credits from the government for performing this service and let’s face it, its great PR!
3. Reuse. If your computer is still in working order and tossing it seems like a bigger waste, donate it to a local not-for-profit organization that is sure to use it and not keep it sitting around.
4. Recycle. In most states and municipalities there are recycling laws specifically governing the disposal of computer waste. Many cities have recycling centers where you can call to see exactly what the policy is. Be sure to get some sort of receipt or documentation of the equipment’s proper disposal for your records.

The good news is computers are becoming smaller and smaller in size which translates to much less waste material and by products. Soon, computer equipment will self destruct when you’re done with it – like in the Mission Impossible movies.

Until then, wear your company’s recycling efforts as the badge of honor that it is. Post your polices on your web site in the About Us section and when appropriate let the media know that small businesses like yours are making a huge global difference with tiny local actions.

Answer: The telephone

Cold calling, simply picking up the phone and contacting prospects directly is not only green, according to the Direct Marketing Association; it’s the most effective way to contact new prospects.

Yet many business owners and entrepreneurs are uncomfortable prospecting by telephone. Some are downright terrified. For those of you who experience discomfort, anxiety or plain telephone terror we offer:

Top Ten Tips for Terminating Telephone Terror

1. Make telephone calls
Few things are more terrifying than the unknown. The fear you create for yourself is far worse than the reality of cold calling. Once you start making telephone calls and continue making telephone calls, it gets easier. You overcome fear by doing.

2. Make a lot of telephone calls
If you have only one prospect to pursue, that prospect becomes overwhelmingly important. If you have hundreds of leads, no one prospect can make or break you. The more calls you make, the more success you will have.

3. Prepare
Prepare for cold calling the way you would for any major presentation. Know what you want to say, how you want to say it and how you want to represent yourself, your company, your product or service. And know the goal of your telephone call.

4. Practice
If you are new to cold calling or uncomfortable with cold calling, practice your pitch out loud. Role-play with friends or colleagues. Practice various sales scenarios. This way, you will not have to worry about what you are going to say. You will be prepared, and you can focus in on your prospect.

5. Start with less important leads
It will be good practice and less stressful. Once you feel more comfortable, start working on the more important leads.

6. Stay calm
You will, for the most part, be talking to people who will appreciate your call. If a prospect is rude, remember: This is not personal. They may just be having a bad day. Move on.

7. Your priorities and your prospect’s priorities are different
You want an immediate “yes”; your prospect may want to finish a report, finish a conversation, start their vacation… Be very careful not to read negative or extra meaning into early conversations with your prospect or prospect’s secretary. If, for example, your prospect’s secretary says that your prospect is “on the phone,” “in a meeting” or “out of the office,” that does not translate to, “My prospect knows that I am calling and is avoiding me.”

8. Some things are out of your control
If a prospect does say “no,” ultimately, that is out of your control—but what is within your control is continuing to prospect and continuing to make calls. It is also within your control to improve your cold calling skills, take seminars, read books or hire a coach—then, fewer prospects will say “no.”

9. Arlene’s Game
The object of Arlene’s game is to focus on rejection. The goal is to reach 100 points. You get 1 point for every rejection. Give yourself 1 point for every “no” answer. If your prospect says “yes,” that’s a bonus! Focus on acquiring points. The more calls you make, the more points you acquire. When you reach 100—You Win! Give yourself a prize!

10. Have fun
This is not life or death—it’s only a cold call. The fate of the world does not rest on you and your telephone. You will not destroy your company or ruin your life if a prospect says “no.” Loosen up, be creative, have some fun!

Did you know that a typical desktop computer uses about 65 to 250 watts of electricity and that does not include the monitor? Small business technology choices can make a difference. Let’s start with energy conservation. Do you leave your computers turned on all the time? When you leave your office computers and monitors on, you are wasting energy. You can cut back on frivolous energy consumption by adjusting your power settings to sleep or standby. Not only can changing the settings on your computer help conserve energy, but making a smart decision about the computer you purchase can also save on energy. Mr. Electricity (http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/computers.html) a great web site, has compared different models of Dell and Apple computers to help consumers understand which one saves on energy usage. Now you can make decisions that will work with your business and for the environment. Main stream companies like Dell and Apple are not the only options in the marketplace for energy efficient computer options, OmniPro Systems offers the EcoSys Green Desktop PC which promises to save you money on your energy bills and support you with environmentally approved peripherals.

Recycling has been an important part of the green movement for years and recycling computers has been a problem for many companies. I always recommended donating old computers rather than throwing them away. Now you can take your company’s computers to a greener level by looking in to PC’s that not only cut down on energy usage but also are completely biodegradable. MicroPro, an environmentally conscious company has been working to create green computers, keyboards, mice and monitors. This is a great beginning. I would recommend looking into these options, but please proceed with caution when making new buying decisions.

Every day we as small businesses contribute to the environmental pollution problems by wasting paper and tossing out old equipment. How about instead of buying your business applications you download them? Or looking into cutting back on what you print in your office. Going paperless is not an overnight project but it is doable. I have had the pleasure of working with a wonderful insurance company on Long Island that made that leap over a year ago. Going paperless not only saves the environment but it can also help you and your co-workers better utilize the applications you have at your fingertips. Now you are saving paper, ink cartridges, energy and the environment.

by Georgette Pascale and Liz Kohn

Working virtually undoubtedly has its benefits, but owners and employees alike face many challenges in creating a successful business environment in this unique field. As a virtual team– a project assistant working closely with a mother and president of a small business– we have found an effective manner to manage the VA relationship. We share several tips for success below.

Before listing these suggestions, however, it is important to understand just what benefits and challenges arise in a virtual business setting.

Benefits of a Virtual Company

Virtual companies create many advantages for their employees: relocation is unnecessary, work schedules are more flexible and managing and balancing a full life is easier. Employees have a great sense of autonomy, making decisions and meeting challenges at a steady, comfortable pace while juggling a busy personal life. Additionally, communication between the employer and employees tends to improve, as the minute but vital details of virtual interaction receive more focus and attention.

Overall, without office space expenses, capital costs are less, and everyone, especially the environment, benefits from decreased fuel usage. There are challenges in this work environment, like most, making tips for fostering a stable VA/management relationship even more essential.

Challenges of a Virtual Company

Without an office, it is difficult to monitor employee productivity, progress, or customer interaction. Communication can be difficult when relying on technology, and employee availability is often unpredictable. With this lack of face-to-face communication, misunderstanding and duplication risks arise. Virtual employees may feel isolated and disconnected from their coworkers or become distracted in their homes. Together, as an owner and her employees who have faced such challenges, we can offer the following tips to overcome these common challenges:

* Clarify availability
Spell out flexible, preferable schedule, work days/hours and be accessible during these times by phone and email.
* Offer formal training for all virtual employees and their managers
Explain various communication techniques and technologies available (e-mail, conference calls, online chatting, etc.) and ensure familiarity with each.
* Communicate openly and consistently
Send company-wide e-mails detailing announcements, organizational changes, schedule complications, or any other pertinent information. Such communication will foster a “team” feeling for those who are in a virtual office.
* Highlight the boundaries of specific work assignments
This will help avoid duplication and allow different employees to work together more efficiently.
* Create ground rules
Clearly state deadlines, response times, and goals.
* Make Lists and prioritize tasks
With calls and instant messages coming from several directions, it’s important to take notes and record details to avoid overlooking assignments or deadlines.
* Segment Employee’s work
Try to avoid piling on one huge assignment upfront. Instead, break up the work load and encourage timely updates rather than intimidating the employee.
* Monitor performance
Once you’ve defined the work environment, it’s important to enforce rules and evaluate work efforts and output.
Proving weekly reports or updates on assigned tasks helps keep all team members on the same page and aware of progress and complications with a particular project.
* Establish routines
Each day, greet employees and offer support—whether this is an uplifting quote or link to a great news report, this will foster a connected, productive work force.
* Stay in contact
Do not be afraid to pick up the phone to touch base or clarify any questions about the project or tasks you are working on.
This is particularly vital in the absence of an office. Responsiveness to employees needs is key; and providing constructive feedback keeps motivation and work ethic levels high. Scheduling conference calls or on-line chats is a great way to do this.

Conclusion

With an increasing number of women balancing life and a career, along with a growing global economy, company flexibility and employee accessibility are vital, and these characteristics attract, develop, and retain loyal, productive workers. By using the above tips and working from the “virtual ground” up, anyone can build a work environment and communication level that meets and rivals those of your everyday office.

-Francis Bacon

Throughout global history, people have created innovative solutions to social issues. Not only improving the lives of individuals but possibly changing the way a social system operates forever. The disciplines of the business world are being used to remedy social problems, unifying business principle with social ventures and purposes. This creates enormous benefits and these people, the change-makers are you and I.

Having a business with a social purpose can exist within several forms. It can be the sole objective of a company, collaboration with an existing venture or being a part of a large communal collective. The main goals are the purpose itself, understanding the level of sustainability you intend to generate and knowing a “social purpose” can be non-profit or for profit.

When a business has a social purpose it becomes involved in addressing societal values and social needs for a collective benefit. Most often companies create a mission to change or sustain a social value and not just a private sector value, although the two can intersect. For instance, on a large scale, real estate development companies create “80/20 buildings.” This is when 80% of the rental is market rate and the remaining 20% is allocated to affordable housing. On a smaller scale, a company could join an existing recycling venture in a local community. Depending on the goals, the benefits can be a cleaner neighborhood, strengthening local responsibility and adding an economic base.

Defining the social purpose itself is the key. What are you going to do and why? A company or individual can achieve this by asking, “What needs to be done?” Once you know the aim, look at sustainability. Simply ask, “For how long and how large?” Will these initiatives continue for years or a short term contribution that will create lasting effects. One example could be making a collective contribution to an organization that provides micro-financing to entrepreneurs in developing countries. This maybe a one time contribution but it is guaranteed to have a lifetime effect.

Whether a “social purpose” is formed around a for profit or a non-profit, as a business owner, you will always consider the economic viability. This includes demands on time and the delivery of the service.

These are a few considerations to keep in mind for economic viability:

1. Incorporating the success of the business along with the social purpose.
2. Initiating and maintaining a social support system
3. Level of commitment to the goal

Having a social purpose is being a change-maker. What do you stand for and what do you want your company to stand for? We’ve all heard of “giving back.” Now determine what it means to you.

One of the most precious aspects of being alive is sharing our lives, and connecting to others. Our relationships with friends, family, and co-workers remind us that we are all connected to each other. They are our mirrors, reminding us of our own humanity. Even a short exchange with a stranger or acquaintance can brighten our day. It’s that connection, love in all its forms, that we all seek and need on a daily basis.

The times we begin feeling down or depressed, often have to do with dwelling on our own problems, going inward, or feeling isolated and unloved. When we stay connected to others on a regular basis and share positive experiences, there is often less of a tendency to dwell on our own problems.

When we look outside of ourselves and focus on others, we really see them. We all are dying to be seen and heard. Take some time to start finding small ways you can connect more to others. Is there a card you’ve been meaning to send someone you care about to tell them how much you miss and love them? Can you really see the person at work you are talking to, and give them a real compliment on their new hair style or great attitude at work? The difference we can make in another’s life by simply noticing them, is really quite remarkable. It also makes us feel happier and lighter to touch someone else, and takes the focus off of ourselves. We are all in this same world together after all.

A wonderful way to feel more connected, and get out of the house, and outside of oneself is to give back to others. Whether it is talking for one hour a week to an elderly person, helping the sick or homeless, or reading to a child in need, giving back is a wonderful gift.

There are several organizations to volunteer, and I have listed a few of them below:

New York City:

VolunteerNYC.org – has a large listing of many different types of volunteer organizations in the city. You can enter your zip code and the Population you’d like to work with and find several opportunities.

NYcares.org – has a wide range of volunteer opportunities including working with Animals, children, and adults throughout the year and only on holidays in a wide range of fields.

Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (www.isaacenter.org)- Various volunteer opportunities kids through seniors

Bottomlessclosetnyc.org — work with women to promote economic self-sufficiency by providing interview skills, business clothing, and career development.

Opening Doors and Building Bridgesv— Help Students with tutoring, college planning and career services.

www.NYCgovparks.org – work on volunteer projects outdoors in the parks and cleaning up the environment

Volunteermatch.org – a calendar of events and organizations that list the type of volunteers they are looking for on specific dates throughout the year.

National opportunities:

www.volunteermatch.org
www.volunteernh.org

International:

www.volunteerinternational.org

What Is A Socially Conscious Company?

The terms get bandied about (and their definitions are in flux) – cause-related marketing (a/k/a cause marketing), social entrepreneurship, and socially conscious companies – but the basic underlying principle is the same: creating a company that operates ethically, provide social benefits, and/or are sensitive to the environment. The goals are, in short, making money and solving social problems.

For some companies, being socially conscious is the basis of the business itself, such as companies that make environmentally sound products. For others, it’s the way they conduct business and relate to their community. Socially conscious behavior can bring tangible rewards to companies: higher productivity (employees want to stick around); new streams of business (because your efforts have helped build a more economically vital community); new customers (who switched from your rivals simply because they admire your efforts).

Another approach for companies is to engage in cause-related marketing, which is a form of linking a company or brand to a relevant social cause or issue, for mutual benefit. A current example is the Product Red campaign (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_Red), which includes companies such as Apple Computer (www.apple.com), Motorola (www.motorola.com), and The Gap (www.gap.com) as participants. Under the program, each partner company creates a product with the Product Red logo. In return for the opportunity to increase their own revenue through the Product Red products they sell, the partner companies give a percentage of the profit to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria (http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/).

Social entrepreneurship is probably the other end of the spectrum. Closest to a non-profit organization, it involves the use of entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage a venture to make social change. They will assess their success in terms of the impact they have on society, rather than the traditional of profit and return. An example is the for-profit SKS Microfinance (www.sksindia.com), which provides microlending opportunities in order to encourage economic self-reliance.

Why Would Business Owners Create a Socially Conscious Company?

1. Building a Bridge Between Haves and Have Nots

For Hattie Elliot, Managing Director of Socially Conscious Companion (www.gosococo.com), the reasons were clear. “It is possible to do good in everyday life,” she urged. “Especially if you’re starting a business, you have the opportunity to set a precedent and have that reflected through your company.” Socially Conscious Companion has created a line of pet jewelry and accessories made by South African artisans.

As an animal lover and exchange student in South Africa, Hattie witnessed the devastation wreaked on families as a result of the AIDS pandemic. “It broke my heart,” she said. “There are children who have nothing – no family, no support system, no health care, no education.” Astounded at the vast sums of money that animal lovers were willing to spend on their pets in the United States, Hattie determined to be the bridge between the two, “transmuting money into energy,” as she put it. Socially Conscious Companion supports the Baphumelele Orphanage and Education Center in Cape Town (www.baphumelele.org.za), which provides a home and a school for aged newborn to 19 years old. Most of the children are themselves HIV positive.

When asked why she didn’t simply create a not-for-profit organization to raise money for the orphanage, Hattie had a definite answer: “As a business owner, it was important to me to have the flexibility to sell the business, which I could not do as a non-profit,” she responded. In addition, the creative and management freedom she currently enjoys in Socially Conscious Companion would not be available to her (to the same extent) in a non-profit structure. As a for-profit business, she also has the ability to tweak her profit-sharing formula on an ongoing basis so that it can be responsive to the needs of the orphanage, while mindful of the earnings of the company.

2. Transforming How We Think About Business

Jody Weiss had a slightly different take on the for-profit/non-profit question. For her, creating her PeaceKeepers Cause-Metics (www.iamapeacekeeper.com) cosmetics company was a matter of shattering myths. “So many people think of corporations as vehicles just for making shareholders rich. Why can’t a corporation be good for its employees, good for its consumers, good for its investors, and good for the planet?” she queried. “Imagine the powerful message it sends to consumers when they learn that the founders are giving away all their profits!” Jody exclaimed. “Wouldn’t that speak to you more loudly than any ol’ regular business or non-profit (which is supposed to give its money away)? she added.

PeaceKeepers’ model provides that it gives away all of its after-tax profits to women’s health advocacy and human rights issues. Like Hattie, Jody sees money as energy, with the power to profoundly transform. “It’s a totally different conversation with investors,” she said. “You’re not speaking to people about the classic financial criteria of return on investment of X percent within Y years. Yes, you’ll get a return on your investment. Perhaps not the same multiple within the same time frame as in traditional businesses, but part of the investment you make is in saving lives and alleviating dire situations. You can’t put a price tag on that in the same way.” Jody admits that it hasn’t always been an easy sell to the investment community. Still, she sees that the change in mindset has only just begun. She pointed to the for-profits projects being created around the world to conquer illiteracy, provide microlending financing, and teach people sustainable trades. In addition to its stated mission, PeaceKeeper cosmetics have “no nasty anything!” – no artificial fragrances, artificial colors, synthetic preservatives, or parabens, among a long list of other “nots”.

3. Real Business, My Way

Emily Dalton didn’t set out to become an overtly socially conscious company. In fact, she downplays that aspect of the Jack Black men’s grooming line (www.getjackblack.com) that she co-founded with business partner (also a woman) Curran Dandurand. When they started Jack Black in 2000 (“before we even heard of the actor,” she interjected), their focus was on providing a clean, simple line of products specially formulated for a man’s needs.

Jack Black’s social consciousness is stealthy, and not “shouted from the mountaintops.” Emily and her partner shared the attitude that they did not want Jack Black’s products to harm the environment or animals – no mean feat in an industry that has relied for many years on animal testing and chemicals. Jack Black is a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals-approved company: it does no testing on animals, uses no animal-derived ingredients, nor will it work with companies that do. In fact, Emily has vendors sign agreements to that effect. Jack Back’s packaging is recyclable, and is increasing the number of certified organic ingredients it uses in its products.

However, because of the challenges of operating in a male-dominated field, Emily has centered her attention more on building a strong, prestige brand than on promoting the company’s underlying approach to developing cruelty-free products. “We’re not really cause-based,” she protested. “Being eco- and earth-friendly was not a major driving tenet of the company. But Jack Black is about alternatives, about choices.” She gave the example of the imminent launch of Jack Black’s cruelty-free shaving brush. “Most shaving brushes are made of badger bristle, which requires that a badger be killed in order to harvest the hair. We’re developing a brush that both performs better and is cruelty-free. For us, that’s a better sell to the men’s market. We educate them on how ours is a better brush. And the cruelty-free part of it is an added bonus. So the sale becomes a no-brainer.”

What Steps Can You Take?

An aspect common to all of these companies is that they didn’t just fall into their causes and philosophies by accident. The owners were very clear that they wanted their companies to reflect their own social perspectives. This takes business, financial, and legal planning – especially in PeaceKeeper’s case, where the documents sent to potential outside investors had to disclose the company’s intention with respect to profits and the effect on return on investment. If you’re at all interested in forming a socially conscious or cause-related company (or changing your company into one), make sure you get your advisory team in place. That way, whether your cause is global or just good works, you’ll be able to see “green” . . . all the way to the bank!

However, if you use direct marketing to promote and ship your products you probably use a lot of paper and a lot of packaging. You need paper to print your letters, postcards, and brochures, and mailers, boxes and fillers to ship them in.

What can you do to make your business greener?

Cut Down on Waste

1. Keep your list clean (fewer bad addresses means less waste). Make sure you remove names of people who no longer want to receive your mailings. Also, use a merge/purge program. This will eliminate duplicates when you are combining several lists or names of people you have gathered from multiple sources.
2. Put an opt-out on your mailings. This is good public relations, good for the environment, and good for your business. One, you will be perceived as a good corporate citizen. Two, you use fewer resources, and three, you save money because you aren’t sending mailings to people who don’t want them.
3. Choose lighter paper or use less of it. Heavier paper uses more resources, and requires more money and energy to produce. It’s also more expensive and since it weighs more it will increase the cost of postage. If appropriate (say for lead generation), try a postcard rather than a full letter, brochure, and envelope.

Use Greener Suppliers

1. Use green printing companies. They use soy and vegetable –based ink, which is less toxic, and paper that is both recycled and chlorine-free.
2. Use recycled paper. Recycled paper can be “post” or pre-consumer/recycled, and will list the percentages. Pre-consumer means that it’s waste from the normal printing process (initial copies that didn’t print properly, or feed through correctly); post-consumer means it’s already been printed and used once and then sent back to be re-used.
3. Use greener packing materials. Boxes, bubble wrap, cushioned mailers, and packing materials are all available in less wasteful and recycled forms.

Printers

Greg Barber Company

http://www.gregbarberco.com/

Ecoprint

http://www.ecoprint.com/

Green Packaging Sources

Packaging Price.com (bubble mailers)

http://www.packagingprice.com

PolyAir (padded mailers and cushioning materials)

http://www.polyair.com

Rock-Tenn (recycled boxes)

http://www.rocktennpaperboard.com

United Container Company (recycled cartons)

http://www.unitedcontainer.com

Green Business Directories

LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability)

http://www.lohas.com/

The Green Pages

http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/

Green Your Own Office

1. Have an environmental friendliness policy (and post it prominently on everything you send; put it on your Web site too). Decide what constitutes “environmentally” friendly. Is it just biodegradable? Is it something that can be recycled or something that has already been recycled (or partially recycled) once? Will you take the amount of energy required to produce it into account?
2. Practice what you preach. Recycle your own excess paper, bottles, newspapers, and cans.

Environmental Policy Tools

The DMA Environmental Planning Tool and Policy Generator

http://www.the-dma.org/envgen/

The DMA Environmental Resource Center

http://www.the-dma.org/environment/