To the example of Ireland, Bangladesh (since 2002), South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, San Francisco and Oakland finally outlawed the use of plastic bags, allowing only paper bags with at least 40% recycled content and compostable bags.

Among the precursors of environmental issues (?), Ireland put a 22 cents tax on plastic bags, their polyethylene consumption dropped consequently by more 90% since 2002. Bangladesh disposes of bags made of jute or cloth. China, as an economic power and big polluer, banned free plastic bags in the supermarkets, public transportation… by pricing them. what is America doing?

With a smothering consumption up to 3 billion plastic shopping bags a day, China took radical and drastic measures. With a 100 billion plastic bags thrown by the american people, the white pollution is a factl. What is America doing?

If the motivation of each country differs : plastic bags block drains leading to floods, are an excessive source of litter, may contain mercury, lead, cadmium… All in unisson agree that plastic doesn’t biodegrade and is not recyclable (to summarize their problem). Only 1 % of plastic bags are recycled worldwide, 2 % in the US! Nothing in comparison with the international and national consumptions?

Plastic was the ecological solution when the paper bag industry deforested 14 million trees to produce 10 billion paper grocery bags, when its cost was cheaper than paper ( 2 cents per bag whereas paper is 4 to 6 cents and compostable 9 to 14 cents). Nowadays 100 billion of plastic bags cost 12 million barrels of oil and as we get nearer to depletion, draconian solutions must be envisioned.

A positive note and a beam of hope in this polluted landscape, the New York Council just passed a law stipulating that stores that distribute plastic bags will have to take them back from the customers for recycling. This measure was approuved a couple of weeks ago. Lauren Bush was the initiator. The errors of her uncle won’t be conpensated but it’s a beginning.

As our attention is driven by such positive behavior (socially responsible, environmentally-friendly…), by the favorable and disproportionate statistics reflecting the tendency of the moment (90% say that safe drinking water is an issue and parallely only 66% judge that quality is paramount), we can’t help but thinking and criticizing President of Global Strategy Group, Jeffrey Pollock’s quotation “Americans think before they buy…”

The survey -a random sampling of facts and figures- defines without ambiguity the american consumer as a conscious consumer, 9 in 10, to be more precise. As we read along, we indeniably associates him as the type labeled to be inclined to invest in manufacture efficient products (90%), to support fair trade practices (87%)… Isn’t he the ideal idealist? As a fanatic reader of the New York Times, he pulses and monitors the daily state of the economy, aware of the arcanes of the world trade (why not polishing his image after all!).

As my eyes jump to another survey, to the question what is important while purchasing eco-friendly products, 46% assess the enegy of efficiency and only 29% opt for the trade fair! Who must we believe? To, what does limit you from purchasing more eco-friendly products, their answer gets interesting, 36% is linked to the product selection or availability and 24% for the price. When we push for the detail, 41% of the on-line shoppers spend 100 to $500 and only 17% from $1000 to 5000!Organic is expensive and not to whoever’s budget!

There’s definitely a screeching discrepancy between what we aspire (to be a conscious consumer), what our budget allows (economical status) and what we do (our consumption).

To support a worldwide effort to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere the Americans gave the award winning to the Ford F series (796,039 sold), followed by Chevrolet Silverado (636,069), Toyota Camry (448,445) and the Dodger Ram (364,177).Those trucks dominated 2006 american vehicle sales. Where were/are the hybrids?

The Golden State bears proudly the palm for the dirtiest air in the nation. It shelters 8 of the 10 most polluting counties in the US. San Bernardino was reported the first nartionwide polluted from the worst fine particule (soot pollution). Is it the result of the clean air act or the introduction to a new era decreeted by the clean skies act? An act that claims a clean air policy that allows 42 million more tons of pollution emitted than the EPA, that weakens controls on mercury level,. It also weakens the current cap on nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution levels from 1.25 million tons to 2.1 million (+ 68%), delays the improvement of sulfur dioxide (SO4) pollution levels and finally postpones enforcement of smog-and-soot pollution standards until 2015. By 2018, the clean skies act will scandalously permit 42 million tons more of NOx (through 2012) and 8 million tons more by 2020; the SO4 from 18 million tons more (2012) to 34 million more by 2020, mercury with the same respective dates from 58 tons to 163 released into the environment by enforcing the act.

Safe drinking water appears at 90% as an important issue. Really? The total US beverage consumption for 2005 was declined as followed : carbonated soft drinks 28,3%, beers 11%, milk 10,9% and finally bottled water 10,7%. What must we conclude? As we follow the trendy phenomenon of water consumption, an information misleads us. Did you know that 24 % of bottled water is packaged by Coke & Pepsi. It won’t be relevant if we don’t know that they dominate the market (#1 selling bottles), Aquafina occupies 13% and Coke’s Dasani 11% of the market. Both are only purified municipal water! Coke and Pepsi use for our health and wellness energy-intensive reverse-osmosis filtration, the same process used to turn sea water to drinking water.

Eco-friendly relates to upscale market. Fidji represents the purity segmentation. Is sold a million bottles a day in the US. Its fabrication, conditioning, distribution has an impact on the environment. An uninterrupted supply of electricity is produced by three big generators running on diesel fuel (diesel haze). Are we ready to condemn companies’ policies and practices at the cost of our health ? Are eco-friendly products really worth of the premium?

A survey of environmental claims involving more than 1,018 products found virtually all of them false or misleading. It referred to a non-so-green behavior. Where do we stand in this sum of information? What is our tool to validate the info? Where is the transparency? 15 % of the claims were made without supporting evidence. Lamp manufacturers claimed high-efficiency performance, without certification! 11% were vague or irrelevant. What does natural mean? Carbon dioxide is natural.

Where is the purpose of consuming consciously if the company doesn’t lead us, if the product doesn’t keep its promise, if the government for economical reason doesn’t set the example?

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of CO2 released over the life cycle of a living creature, product or service. Many human activities, including driving, using electricity or even throwing out your garbage (without recycling) can cause increases in CO2.

According to the World Resources Institute, your total carbon footprint would account for all of the energy used to produce the products and services that you consume, as well as all of your other activities. A carbon footprint tallies all greenhouse gases together, in units of carbon dioxide equivalents.

Global Warming

This is the gradual increase of the temperature of the Earth’s lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution.

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a series of reports describing the latest results of worldwide scientific research into global warming. The panel found that “warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level.”

For more, be sure to visit Green Daily.

In a recent issue of Dynamic Graphics, they published an article called PRINTING GREEN: 12 Things you need to know. The article is written primarily for design professionals and creative agencies, providing tips for making wiser eco-friendly choices and passing along that information to their clients. My favorite 3 items are below:

7. Educate your clients.
Many companies today are concerned with producing print materials and packaging made with sustainable resources. IBM, Coca-Cola, and Mc-Donald’s are just a few major businesses making an effort to publish shareholder reports on 100-percent recycled post-consumer content. But not all clients are familiar with “green” design and printing processes. You may find that you need to act as an eco-friendly project adviser.

8. Practice what you preach.
Set a good example to convince others to follow your lead. Consider incorporating these methods:

• Conserve ink use by determining whether print projects need to be full color. Could a two-color design suffice instead?
• Maximize ink staying power by substituting a Pantone color for metallic inks, which tend to degrade. (This reduces VOC emissions, too.)
• Avoid wasting paper by designing to standard press sheet sizes (e.g., 23 x 35, 25 x 38, 26 x 40, 28 x 40). If a job is large enough, your printer can order a special sheet size from the mill. Since paper is sold by the pound, this approach can also save your client money.

9. Offset cost with creativity.
Some environmentally friendly products may be a bit more expensive. It’s important, however, not to view pricing issues as constraints. Instead, think creatively to help balance benefits with costs.

Design multifunctional projects—e.g., self-mailer/ program combos—to economize when using more expensive paper. Also, combining projects whenever possible is wise; one idea is to print business cards and postcards from the same recycled paper. In the long run your clients may save money, and they’ll also be honoring the environment.

We encourage you to read the rest of the article, linked here.

With all honesty, I am admitting that about a year and a half ago we printed up a batch of our company business cards from a discount -gang run printer. At that time, as a team, we were all committed to environmental causes, progressive social political causes, being active in the community, etc. However, at the time jungle [8] hadn’t positioned ourselves, our brand, as an eco-conscious, socially conscious brand development agency as we have grown into today. (baby steps are all part of the journey, the path getting you there…) Additionally, a year and a half ago, there wasn’t as much information out there about green printing, conservation and the effects the printing industry has on the environment as there is today. Today there is more green printing options and educating yourself is the first step which is the purpose for this posting. I am about to place a re- order for new business cards for me and a couple of our team. Compare the cost of $50 for 500 cards from a gang run printer, toxic UV coating and damages to the environment through the bleaching processes and use of virgin paper. I have placed an order for the same amount of cards, for a little over double the cost, but using 100% recycled paper, soy based inks, plant run of wind based energy and NONE OF THE GUILT! The cost difference creates a little perspective in terms of giving away the cards, actually acting more sustainable. The perception of being more sustainable is a mind shift for many. Even if you discover that going green means paying more, there are still many ways you can offset the costs:

1. Consolidate

   Instead of holding four mail campaigns a year, try sending out three eco-friendly ones. The positive publicity generated by going green may in fact improve response rates, and you’ll be more likely to make the most of what you do send out. Or, offset costs with creativity, as listed above. from the Dynamic Graphics’ article. Also, combining projects whenever possible is wise; one idea is to print business cards and postcards from the same recycled paper.”

2. Bypass the Middle Man

   Sourcing and managing a print project internally is not as complicated as it might sound. Pass those savings along to your client. Ask the printer to provide a digital proof and approve the job jointly with your client.

3. Share the Glory

   Another way to offset costs is to ask a vendor to chip in. If your client is a non-profit, they may be willing to do so in some cases. Some printers will reduce their price if they can put their logo on the piece, and many will do so unobtrusively. Likewise, you could ask one of your funders to help cover the costs in exchange for a small promotion on the piece.

4. Keep It Exclusive

   As an design agency, approach your favorite printer, offer exclusivity. Some printers may be inclined to offer discounts if you bring all (or most) of your business to them. Choosing an exclusive printer to print all of your client’s projects can result in a contract that can reduce costs the more work you send them.

renoursish published this download-able pdf checklist for sustainable design. I recommend applying the practices in this check list in every project.

Another resource is this 14 page download-able pdf FCS Chain of Custody Certified Printers. FCS stands for the Forest Stewardship Council. Here’s a web site called Buyer be Fair that talks more about the product certification. Here’s a little on how FCS works:

here are four main ways FSC works towards its goal of achieving sustainable forest management.

FSC sets international standards for responsible forest management, with all chambers meeting annually to assess current standards and develop new ones.

It accredits independent third-party organizations to certify forest managers and forest product producers to FSC standards and to conduct annual audits to make sure operations adhere to FSC principles.

The FSC Chain of Custody tracks products from the forest through all the steps of the production process until it reaches the end user.

Finally, the FSC product label enables consumers to recognize which products support responsible forest management.

The last link / resource I want to leave you with is the environmental calculator. This web based application will show you the environmental benefits in an easy to read report. (Suitable for displaying on your web site!) I recommend visiting this site and seeing how your choices make a difference.

If you are in the position to choose a printer or design a printing project for a client, please consider all the information and resources in this posting. I’d love to hear your thoughts or if there are other resources you’ve come across that you’d like to share.

Lainie Liberti, founder and Creative Director of jungle [8], a leading brand strategy and graphic design agency that provides strategic brand communication services for eco-friendly clients, conscious business, non-profits and social causes, has been invited to be a panelist at the National Arts Marketing Project, Branding 2.0 workshop on Thursday, August 23rd.

What’s in a name? How can your organization’s brand work for you?
An expert panel gives you the ins and outs of bringing your brand to the next level.

National Arts Marketing Project workshops presented by LA Stage Alliance for all arts organizations!

Branding 2.0
Thursday, August 23rd 10am to 1pm

Panelists: Lainie Liberti, creative director + principal, jungle [8] www.jungle8.com
Vanessa Butler, Arts Marketing and Development Consultant

Lainie Liberti: Dazzling clients with her high-energy designs for over 18 years, Lainie Liberti lends her artistic talents to businesses that matter. From non-profit work to commercial enterprises that truly care about service and operational quality, her organic approach helps lead clients to visual solutions that pack unexpected wallop. Generously giving her time and creative attention to public service and arts groups, as well as businesses who understand how design factors into their competitive edge, lainie’s work helps them carve out a solid marketplace presence that underpins all future marketing and sales endeavors.

Vanessa Butler: Vanessa Butler is one of the pioneers of the new cultural marketing. She has spent the last fifteen years creating wealth for non-profit organizations in the world of the arts. As a marketer, communicator, and brand builder, she has an uncommon instinct for growing audiences, expanding influence, and driving the revenue streams so important to the vitality of cultural and arts organizations.

Here are the particulars for the NAMP workshop!

Branding 2.0
Thursday, August 23rd 10am to 1pm
Optional B.Y.O. Brown bag lunch conversation until 2pm
PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE: THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 17TH
FREE parking to those who pre-register

Registration fees:
$25 LA Stage Alliance Organizational members
$35 General admission
Limited free scholarships for Los Angeles County Arts Commission OGP 1, 2 or 2.5 grantees in good standing

AMERICAN EXPRESS is our preferred method of payment

To pre-register download the registration form at www.LAStageAlliance.com/pdf/NAMPWorkshopRegistration.pdf
Fax to 213.614.0561 or mail to LA Stage Alliance

All workshops are located at:
The Los Angeles Times
Community Room
145 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA, 90012

Parking is FREE for all attendees that pre-register before the deadline!
LA STAGE ALLIANCE presents National Arts Marketing Project workshops for ALL arts organizations that focus on key issues in the world of marketing.

SPONSORS AND PARTNERS:

Meeting Space, refreshments and parking generously provided by Los Angeles Times
NAMP workshops are supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission www.LACountyArts.org

NATIONAL ARTS MARKETING PROJECT (NAMP)
Made possible by a funding pledge from American Express to the Arts & Business Council, Inc., The National Arts Marketing Project was created: To help arts organizations better understand the marketplace in which they operate and recognize the benefits of an aggressive, outward looking audience development effort. To help institute long-term systemic change within arts organizations by helping them acquire and implement sophisticated marketing skills. To enable arts organizations to increase earned income through audience development. For more information visit the site here.