Comments on: How to Cut your Costs And Make Your Package Greener http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/12/01/how-to-cut-your-costs-and-make-your-package-greener/ Green & Sustainable Business Ventures: For Entrepreneurs & Investors Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:59:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: HangTen » Archive » Issue 110 http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/12/01/how-to-cut-your-costs-and-make-your-package-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-61843 HangTen » Archive » Issue 110 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:17:55 +0000 http://ecopreneurist.com/?p=985#comment-61843 [...] huge and cause profit margins to soar. General Millsreduced unnecessary variety and materials while Unileverchanged ink usage on their [...] [...] huge and cause profit margins to soar. General Millsreduced unnecessary variety and materials while Unileverchanged ink usage on their [...]

]]> By: Miguel http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/12/01/how-to-cut-your-costs-and-make-your-package-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-11348 Miguel Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:15:25 +0000 http://ecopreneurist.com/?p=985#comment-11348 MC, Thanks for sharing and tweeting the white paper. That is much appreciated. I should indeed gather JoAnn's feedback as well. One additional point... Companies need to remember that as they seek to deliver more sustainable products, the significance of synergy throughout the branding process - from strategy to design to delivery on the store shelf. Delivering sustainable products won't matter if they fail and are discontinued, so the branding process is just as critical to choosing eco-friendly materials. Thanks again! MC, Thanks for sharing and tweeting the white paper. That is much appreciated. I should indeed gather JoAnn’s feedback as well.

One additional point… Companies need to remember that as they seek to deliver more sustainable products, the significance of synergy throughout the branding process – from strategy to design to delivery on the store shelf. Delivering sustainable products won’t matter if they fail and are discontinued, so the branding process is just as critical to choosing eco-friendly materials.

Thanks again!

]]> By: Thomas Gilmore http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/12/01/how-to-cut-your-costs-and-make-your-package-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-11333 Thomas Gilmore Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:11:12 +0000 http://ecopreneurist.com/?p=985#comment-11333 Obviously this is a very complex issue. Here's a few quick thoughts... As a cost saving measure there is no doubt that reducing the number of colors is an important step. To your point, as an eco measure it becomes even more complex. Large consumer goods marketers have traditionally utilized a great deal of spot color to help solidify their brand's equities at shelf. These inks come at a premium cost, not only for the raw materials, but in regard to the shipping, warehousing and distribution of the inks. A reduction of the number of inks used not only reduces the cost of inks used (basic economics), but has HUGE logistical implications. Those of us interested in the sustainability issue must recognize that the greater impact is felt much further up the supply chain. Little changes there make an enormous impact for good, although they may not be as sexy as other measures. Best regards, - Tom Obviously this is a very complex issue.

Here’s a few quick thoughts…

As a cost saving measure there is no doubt that reducing the number of colors is an important step. To your point, as an eco measure it becomes even more complex. Large consumer goods marketers have traditionally utilized a great deal of spot color to help solidify their brand’s equities at shelf. These inks come at a premium cost, not only for the raw materials, but in regard to the shipping, warehousing and distribution of the inks. A reduction of the number of inks used not only reduces the cost of inks used (basic economics), but has HUGE logistical implications. Those of us interested in the sustainability issue must recognize that the greater impact is felt much further up the supply chain. Little changes there make an enormous impact for good, although they may not be as sexy as other measures.

Best regards,
- Tom

]]> By: mcmilker http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/12/01/how-to-cut-your-costs-and-make-your-package-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-11331 mcmilker Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:38:59 +0000 http://ecopreneurist.com/?p=985#comment-11331 Jennifer, I love the way your comment encourages a balanced reasoned approach. I agree! Jennifer,

I love the way your comment encourages a balanced reasoned approach. I agree!

]]> By: mcmilker http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/12/01/how-to-cut-your-costs-and-make-your-package-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-11330 mcmilker Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:38:05 +0000 http://ecopreneurist.com/?p=985#comment-11330 Thanks Miguel, I read and Tweeted your white paper. I think your point about companies getting disconnected information on sustainability options by relying on vendors at the end of the packaging process is a great one! Love to hear what JoAnn, http://packagingdiva.com/ has to say as well. Thanks Miguel,

I read and Tweeted your white paper. I think your point about companies getting disconnected information on sustainability options by relying on vendors at the end of the packaging process is a great one!

Love to hear what JoAnn, http://packagingdiva.com/ has to say as well.

]]> By: Miguel http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/12/01/how-to-cut-your-costs-and-make-your-package-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-11311 Miguel Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:00:01 +0000 http://ecopreneurist.com/?p=985#comment-11311 Hi MC. Sustainability for business is about searching for methods to cut the amount of waste and/or harm a product has on the environment. Embracing eco-friendly packaging and/or streamlining processes to create packaging are two approaches that can make a business more sustainable. Streamlining processes can affect a brand's sustainability in many ways: one is that it can decrease the amount of energy needed to produce or transport a product, which makes a product more eco-friendly. The eco-friendliness of a brand is further improved if packaging is produced from “greener” materials, such as bio-inks or biodegradable packaging. At Schawk, we've helped many CPG companies produce more sustainable brands by helping them create environmentally-friendly packaging. In addition, we're committed to efficient processes that help to lessen the environmental burden from the behind-the-scenes work that goes into developing brands. If you are interested in learning more about brand point management sustainability practices, you may wish to review the following Sustainability White Paper recently made available: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/1912222/Sustainability-A-Brand-Point-Management-Perspective I’d love to hear your thoughts regarding the white paper. Thanks! Hi MC. Sustainability for business is about searching for methods to cut the amount of waste and/or harm a product has on the environment. Embracing eco-friendly packaging and/or streamlining processes to create packaging are two approaches that can make a business more sustainable.

Streamlining processes can affect a brand’s sustainability in many ways: one is that it can decrease the amount of energy needed to produce or transport a product, which makes a product more eco-friendly. The eco-friendliness of a brand is further improved if packaging is produced from “greener” materials, such as bio-inks or biodegradable packaging.

At Schawk, we’ve helped many CPG companies produce more sustainable brands by helping them create environmentally-friendly packaging. In addition, we’re committed to efficient processes that help to lessen the environmental burden from the behind-the-scenes work that goes into developing brands.

If you are interested in learning more about brand point management sustainability practices, you may wish to review the following Sustainability White Paper recently made available: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/1912222/Sustainability-A-Brand-Point-Management-Perspective

I’d love to hear your thoughts regarding the white paper. Thanks!

]]> By: Jennifer Kaplan http://ecopreneurist.com/2008/12/01/how-to-cut-your-costs-and-make-your-package-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-11304 Jennifer Kaplan Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:15:04 +0000 http://ecopreneurist.com/?p=985#comment-11304 Hi MC. I actually do think that every time a business reduces waste it can say its implementing a green practice. I don't consider it greenwashing if the reduction is communicated as part of a larger greening effort. I also think many companies are accused of greenwashing because they position these innovations as being good for the environment. The ink example isn't in and of itself good for the environment, but it does reduce waste which is good for the environment. Its all in the positioning. I would hate to see Unilever create an ad campaign about how green their new packaging is. However, if they claim this is one of many waste reduction practices I think they have the right, possibly obligation, to talk about it. Hi MC. I actually do think that every time a business reduces waste it can say its implementing a green practice. I don’t consider it greenwashing if the reduction is communicated as part of a larger greening effort. I also think many companies are accused of greenwashing because they position these innovations as being good for the environment. The ink example isn’t in and of itself good for the environment, but it does reduce waste which is good for the environment. Its all in the positioning. I would hate to see Unilever create an ad campaign about how green their new packaging is. However, if they claim this is one of many waste reduction practices I think they have the right, possibly obligation, to talk about it.

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