Green Spot Blog

History of Recycling: An Infographic

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:35:46 +0000

Austin, Texas: Here is a great article I thought I’d share about the history of recycling– as well as a simple infographic from Earth911.com.

It seems that the logistics of recycling have increased in the past decade, making it much easier to recycle. A few years ago, it was not easy to recycle your old television, cellphone or computer and other e-waste. Now, many major retailers have recycling bins or full fledged recycling programs available.

Public sentiment has also changed in the past decade, as more and more communities are mandating curbside recycling, which greatly reduces landfill waste. Some are still single stream centers, but more will require different bins for different goods–including food scraps.

Plastic bag bans and pending legislation on single-use bottles will also continue to reduce the amount of plastic film that ends up in landfills. More and more reusable bottles are sold each year and sales continue to be strong for water bottles and reusable mugs in all price ranges.

Education has also played a major role in people’s understanding as to limited resources and the value of recycling. Most schools today have environmental education as part of their curriculum, from grades K-12.

Though not everybody is on-board, the vast majority of Americans will recycle–if it does not require much hassle or inconvenience. That is why it is critical that public places have recycling bins.

The key is still convenience. If there is a recycling bin or dumpster within site, most people will voluntarily recycle.

Let’s continue to fight on all fronts to make recycling awareness and recycling education top of mind.

Good habits develop over time.

Here’s to a greener tomorrow, today.
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Robert Piller, President of Eco Marketing Solutions, has over 25 years of experience in running and implementing green marketing campaigns and is a leader in the recycled promotional products industry, including offering one of the largest selections of reusable and organic tote bags, recycled and biodegradable water bottles, recycled pens and pencils in the country.

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.

Green Marketing 101: It Always Begins With the Basics

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:54:57 +0000

Tips for Green Marketing Success

Austin, Texas: I spoke before a marketing organization recently and somebody in the audience asked me how they can get a green reputation quickly and easily in order to catch up to some of their competitors.

After some clarification, it seemed that they wanted to know shortcuts and secrets to avoid doing the hard work and start promoting their “green virtues”.

I replied that there are no secrets to green marketing success and just one formula: Truly become green.

People are becoming more eco conscious and they can smell greenwashing a mile away.

Before you can call yourself a green company, and before you can market yourself as a green organization, you must become environmentally conscious.

Ask yourself these questions:

Why do you want to become more green?
What makes your company green?
What are the first 3 steps your company can do to reduce waste?
How can you educate and inspire your employees to recycle more?
How can you organization better reduce waste and energy consumption?
How are you promoting environmental outreach to your customers, suppliers and employees?

Then, after these steps are being carried out can you start on your green marketing campaigns.

Don’t put the spotlight on your eco marketing efforts and achievements until you have something tangible to show for your efforts.

Avoid greenwashing.

Speak from the heart.

Tell the truth.

Bottom line is that no organization is 100% energy efficient and none are 100% sustainable.

Those are ideals that can never be reached (like infinity) but should be challenged to get as close to as possible.

Understand how you can continually improve your green efforts across the board.

It should be a goal that changes over time, much like sales and profitability goals do.

Always heading upwards.
Always seeking better solutions.
Always looking to improve on past performance.

Those are the secrets to green marketing success.

I hope your organization finds success along the path.
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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.

Why Does the EPA Keep Bumbling Environmental Issues?

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:27:53 +0000

Austin, Texas: I hate to admit it, but it is time to get a career politician to head up the EPA.

The Obama administration’s top environmental official in the oil-rich South Central region has resigned after Republicans targeted him over remarks made two years ago when he used the word “crucify” to describe how he would go after companies violating environmental laws, according to MSNBC.com.

It has lost its most recent lawsuits on grounds of over-reach, and then this flap makes the Agency look like a bunch of morons and partisans. The EPA is a very important organization that protects our air and water — but they end up looking like the Keystone Kops.

The EPA needs to improve its PR, increase its educational outreach and sell their mission and agenda better to the public.

After all, when presented properly, who wants their kids and grandkids to drink polluted water and breathe dirty air?

A cleaner environment should be a clear cut goal praised by both sides. Not a partisan issue.

Jobs vs. Environment. Why can’t there be both?

It’s all about the message and how it is delivered. Marketing 101.

Maybe a career politician, or someone better schooled in the art of persuasion and messaging can do a better job communicating the goals of a crucial Agency.

Remember the old acronym: KISS-Keep it Simple, Stupid!

We have had enough of STUPID. Maybe we just “Keep it Simple!”
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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.

Great Infographic on The Importance of Trees

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:29:16 +0000

I saw this infographic and wanted to share it.

We have been preaching the value of trees for over 20 years as we have been promoting the live tree seedlings as a promotional tool, for trade shows, Earth Day events and more.

This graphic sums it up in a great way.

Have you hugged a tree today?

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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.

Visit a Park During National Park Week, April 21-29

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:48:46 +0000

Help support America’s national parks — and do something fun and exciting with the entire family during National Park Week, April 21-29.

Best of all, it is FREE.

That’s right. ALL 397 national parks offer free admission, all week long!

The National Park Service has once again joined forces with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to present National Park Week.

Get back to nature and visit these beautiful parks .

Bring family, friends and neighbors.

After all, when was the last time you spent a weekend at a nearby national park? Isn’t time to get back to one?

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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.

Is Earth Day a Dying Event?

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:50:43 +0000

Ideas to Save Earth Day for Future Generations

Austin, Texas: For the past twenty or so years, Earth Day has been an important day to our company–like Christmas is to retailers.

For the months leading up to it, we sell millions of live tree seedlings with company logos, imprinted reusable tote bags, recycled pens, pencils, coloring books, water bottles, and other eco-friendly promotional items– all with an Earth Day theme or recycling message to corporations large and small, as well as to government institutions who believe in the need for eco marketing.

This year seems a little different. As of today, sales are up only 8% over last year — and that is down from our 18-25% average sales increases that have been more typical over the past decade.

More importantly I am wondering why am I not hearing about Earth Day too much this year?

Some of my major corporate account shave scaled back from Earth Day events and marketing efforts, as have many city governments. Luckily, many smaller companies have been picking up the slack – but not making the same impact.

“A cause not promoted is a cause soon forgotten”, I always say.

Earth Day is a accumulation of branded and educational messages that reach the mass audience over a period of time.

Kids learn about Earth Day from their schools. Parents are reminded of it on their national or local news shows, in the newspapers and, hopefully at work.

But if the number of organizations promoting Earth Day are leveling off – or falling – then the message of Earth Day will soon die.

Religious institutions know this very well, which is why the major stories of the Bible are inculcated at a young age, and re-told year after year. It is not told once and hoped that it sinks in.

People like stories — and the message of Earth Day needs to be filled with memorable tales of recycling efforts, energy reduction and global warming evidence.

Perhaps it should focus on local or national heroes.

We cannot hide from global warming or pacify non-believers because “they are entitled to their opinion”. Just because someone doesn’t believe in something doesn’t mean they are right. I had dinner with a neighbor the other day that said they do not believe in the Internet–that it was a fad.

That doesn’t mean they are right. I’ll continue to use the internet and promote my business through it, while they do things the old way.

Earth Day needs stories.

Earth Day needs legends and heroes.

Earth Day needs songs.

Earth Day needs characters –like the Easter Bunny.

Earth Day needs a universal symbol, like Breast Cancer Awareness has the pink ribbon.

Most of all, Earth Day needs to be the focus of educational institutions, businesses, and dare I say, religious institutions. A greener planet should be something we all believe in and something we all strive for — without wedge issues of whether climate change is hoax or not.

Whatever your belief is on climate change, a world with less pollution and with more of a focus on reusability, reduction of resources and recycling efforts is a win-win for all.

Let’s put the focus back on Green for Earth Day. Let’s leave the name calling and finger pointing out of this event and make it one of the biggest holidays and events on an annual basis.

I’d love to hear your comments about ways to bring back the impact of Earth Day.

Here’s to a green tomorrow today!

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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.

Is Obama’s All of the Above Energy Strategy the Best Course for America?

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:36:35 +0000

Austin, Texas: Last week, President Obama announced an “all of the above” energy strategy, which would include more drilling, a new look at the Keystone XL pipeline project, as well as alternative forms of energy.

Although energy has become politicized over the past few decades, I think a realistic approach like this is the only true way to make progress.

Life is all about compromise, and if we can increase drilling in a safe manner, improve fracking technology, reduce risk of nuclear accidents, then the “all of the above” strategy is ideal. But safety must come first.

We need to quit blocking projects just to please one party and start looking at the various options with a more open mind.

America will not stop using oil for many decades, so we must consider drilling in addition to solar, biofuels, wind power, nuclear, natural gas and other options.

Let’s challenge our country’s brightest minds to find ways to increase output of all these energy forms, while reducing costs and increasing safety.

Let’s not pick winners and losers. Let’s hope that they can all succeed.

After all, today, railroads and ships still compete with airlines and trucks for commercial freight business. It doesn’t have to be a winner take all.

All of the above? I think it makes the most sense.

Here’s to a greener tomorrow, today.
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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.

The Importance of Water Conservation in the Coming Decade

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:57:55 +0000

Austin, Texas I saw T. Boone Pickens speak a few years back on the importance of water as a natural and national treasure and his concern for its growing scarcity. In Austin, Texas, for example, our lakes are down about 20 feet from their typical depths due to severe droughts over the past few years.

When it comes to thinking about water, there is often some confusion between renewable and unlimited resources.

Water is a renewable necessity, yet humans treat it as an unlimited resource, which it is not.

People use excessive amounts of water every single day, making it difficult for water to replenish itself at the rate that we use it. Although 70% of earth’s surface is water, 97% of that is salt water. Only 3% is fresh water.

A company called elocal, shared with me this accompanying image and facts.

Between doing dishes, washing clothes and watering our grass, thousands of gallons of water is wasted each year. For example, one household in the U.S. uses 127,000 gallons of water per year.

However, if a family used low-flow fixtures on the faucets, washing machine, shower head and toilet, a household could save 40,000 gallons of water per year. If every home also adopted these same fixtures, we could save 2 trillion gallons of water, worth over $4 billion dollars! As the population continues to grow, we need to think smart and start conserving now before it is too late. We encourage you to start the change in your community.

Think before wasting water. Encourage your family and friends to use it wisely.

Water is not an unlimited resource.
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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.

Continuing the Green Dialog on Facebook & Twitter

admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:36:08 +0000

Austin, Texas: I’ve been blogging about green issues and green marketing for nearly four years and the dialog and discussions I have received have been invaluable. I seem to “get” more thaan I “give” — that is the power of social media.

I encourage all my followers to start their own blogs – or at least continue to reply to my blog postings and to keep informed of green issues.

With Earth Day less than 2 months away, I look forward to increased conversations on eco marketing issues and how to best promote environmental outreach.

To open up more channels, I encourage everyone to also keep up with me on Twitter and on Facebook.

I welcome ideas, thoughts and comments from my Twitter account, which you can get to here.

Like me on Facebook so we can also have a dialog on that platform.

Thank you for continuing to read my blog posts over the years — and I look forward to continuing to reach you on this blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
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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.

Is Your Company Considering Cutting Back on Earth Day Marketing?

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:06:16 +0000

What is the true meaning of Earth Day?

Austin, Texas: I have had several of my larger clients call me to tell me that they are cutting back on Earth Day marketing this year for a variety of reasons.

Some feel they have done the yearly holiday enough times.

Others think their marketing budget can be spent in other ways

Others never measured their ROI, and cannot justify its expense

Earth Day only comes once a year and if you are a green company, or one that is aspiring to become greener, and you want to get your story and message out, this is the ONE event you cannot afford to miss. PERIOD.

It is like a jeweler missing Valentine’s Day or a toy company skipping Christmas.

Earth Day is your opportunity to tell your story.

To explain why you decided to finally go green.
To discuss with your audience why they should go green.
Tips on how to be greener.
Ideas on how to reduce their carbon footprint.
Reasons why is it important to support green legislation.

Earth Day is not just about YOU or your company.

Earth Day is about promoting a green lifestyle for generations.

That is the meaning of Earth Day.

Promote the event and the message of Earth Day first. Your company message will follow.

What are you going to do to promote the event?

Let’s Make Earth Day Every Day

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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.