Green-washed?
We often see people being ‘green-washed’, confused and influenced or tricked into thinking, that words like ‘environmentally friendly’ or even 'recycled' make up a complete green solution & are therefore the best choice.
Within our industry we know differently. We think a more holistic view is required; a ‘means test’, a check on multiple fronts. How are they manufactured, are the factories invested in effiecient procedures and ethical practices? Are they fair trade; or are the workers rights infringed? What type of ink is used to decorate the item and how are they packaged & shipped? And on and on.
We ask ourselves, what will be the minimal impact on the planet and all its living inhabitants?
Its a marketeers ‘supermarket dream’ when we make impulse buying decisions based on pictures and words like ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘recycled’. But as buyers of large quantities we have a responsibility to ourselves, our brand, and the planet to understand more.
Doing this leads us to make conscious decisions which reinforce our brand, save a bit more of the planet & ultimately make us feel good too!
We consider a multitude of things; managed forests, pesticide free, water based inks, chemicals used in production and shipping methods to reduce carbon footprint? We would take pleasure to educate you about our market, because its our business to discover as much about environmentally friendly promotional products as we can on your behalf.
To do this Original Thing organise ‘executive briefings’ hosted by our MD Karl Pearsall, who has over ten years experience in sourcing branded items and visited many manufacturers around the world. Our purpose is to impart information not normally or readily given, making it a straightforward choice to discern how genuine a green item is from the next or those that pretend to be!
The briefings last no longer than 45 minutes and would take place at your premises. Subjects include issues such as:
- Reducing your organisation's carbon footprint
- The legal requirements of disposing of branded items (link to legal)
- How to avoid negative PR in relation to sourcing low cost imported products
- Being green doesn't mean more budget just different choices!
Our intention is to place in context your own organisation’s individual requirements and how they might be met in a more green, potentially cost effective and certainly a more consistent way.
Request Executive Briefing
‘Eco-terms’ relating to promotional gifts
