Creating Eco-Friendly Promotions

organic fabrics, pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled material, vegetable fibers, bio-plastics, biodegradable components and more, including various ink options.

New technologies have also evolved due to the increase in recycling and other manufacturing methods. Leed’s in New Kensington, Pa., carries bags, for example, made from water bottles and yogurt containers that are turned into small pellets, melted into yarn and woven into nylon. "The ability to make trash in to material just didn’t exist until recently," observes the company’s marketing manager, Lindsay Hoylman.

Before you get overloaded with terms, take a deep breath. If you’re confused, a little research on your own is a great idea, but expect your supplier reps to explain how their products are environmentally friendly, too. (Plus, check out our guide to the truth about some claims and eco terms on pages 40 and 48.)

Though distributors report price as the No. 1 factor hindering more green sales, it turns out there may not be a premium on all eco-friendly items. "Since some of these products are manufactured using energy-reducing means, the prices of the products can be kept low," Rothacker reveals.

Price differences can depend on the product, confirms Janet Trachter, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Starline USA Inc. in Grand Island, N.Y. Some of her company’s recycled bags, for example, are in the middle to low-end of their price spectrum. 

"With technical advances, the methods to produce these products enable them to be produced at the same price or a bit higher, but not greatly higher," explains Andy Song, marketing manager with Hicksville, N.Y.-based Flexfit.

But even when facing a premium price for eco-friendly products, you can point out long-term cost-saving benefits. "When green involves long-lasting items, eco-friendly products don’t have to be more expensive," Meulemans adds. He mentions crank flashlights that may be slightly more expensive on the front side, but which do not need