There has been much discussion lately about packaging that green companies are using for their retail-oriented merchandise…with no end in sight.

According to a recent article in GreenBiz.com, consumers were asked if packaging that makes life easier or packaging that is good for the environment is more important, and 47 percent went with convenience while 49 percent chose greenness.

So there is clearly a great divide–practically evenly split — between convenience vs. environment, when you take into account the margin of error.

Sure, strides have been made over the past decade or so to reduce packaging – with smaller box sizes, increased usage of shrink film and other size containment strategies.

However, can more steps be taken to make the packaging more eco-friendly, as well.  Perhaps the shrink film can be made of a material that is more easily recycled at single stream facilities.  Most boxes are recyclable, so that is pretty simple.

By now, most, if not all,  internal packing materials should be biodegradable–from “peanut” to cardboard to new mushroom fill.

Are you still using foam peanuts?  If so, stop immediately.  There are a ton of alternatives and this approach shows no concern for the environment.

Can you reduce packaging size?  This will help with your shipping and distribution costs, as well as to present our product in a more eco-friendly manner.

If you have a food product, are your barrier films recyclable or made from recycled materials?

As a green marketer, you must continuously search for new and better ways to get your product to market– so you can save money–and the environment at the same time.

There should be no decision between environment vs. convenience—consumers should get both options at the same time.

Let’s Make Earth Day Every Day.

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Robert Piller, experienced in green marketing campaigns and recycled promotional products, has worked to help plant over 25 million trees through his live tree seedling gift program over the past dozen years. His company’s website, EcoMarketingSolutions.com, features over 25,000 eco-friendly promotional items in all price ranges, for any business or organization interested in going green. The site’s handy search tool helps you easily find biodegradable, organic and recycled imprinted promotional items in your price range and time frame.

You can also reach him by email (robert (at) ecomarketingsolutions.com) or comment on his blog postings at GreenSpotBlog.com or below at his Twitter link.

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