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FlexoCleaners
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How you can Make a Difference
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What You Can Do To Make a Difference
- Building a Green Business
Published on June 25, 2008
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Everywhere you look, Sustainability and “go green” messages in mass media are becoming
the hot topic for businesses of all types, almost making it a new marketing and
business model must-have. The flexographic printing industry is certainly no exception
to this, with company claims of eco-friendly products, supplies and solutions. But
what does it truly mean and is it all just a simple marketing ploy? Another “in
now” but soon-to-decease moneymaking concept like Y2K? Aside from the jargon and
buzzwords, it is safe to say that everyone wants their world to improve. So the
real question is how can you really make a difference and apply these concepts to
your business practice?
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Here at FlexoCleaners.com we found it necessary to incorporate
sustainability into both our business structure and mission statement for our employees
to follow. In this article I will be discussing what we are doing and how other
companies can do the same. Several areas where we applied our efforts include:
- Environmental Sustainability: improving one’s environmental
footprint.
- Social Sustainability: improving the community in which you
work and sell your product.
- Economic/Organizational Sustainability: operating a business
in a manner that allows you to stay in business over time and creating the perfect
work-life balance.
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Both your customers and employees prefer doing business with a
company that supports a good cause. Giving back to the community that supports you
can have a far more cost-effective and further business reach from positive brand
recognition, than you could ever buy through your advertising dollar. |
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So What Exactly Is Sustainability?
While there are many ways to define sustainability
depending on one of its three focus areas, we define it as a personal or partnering
aim towards preserving the local environment, economy and social system through
quality practices.
Environmental Sustainability
Through responsible, long-term maintenance of the ecosystem,
it's components and functions, you can help protect life and land for future generations.
It's easy to be green and with simple changes in both company and personal life,
you can have a significant and positive impact on the environment for all.
- Recycle what you use
- Reduce what you use
- Use green products
- Work commuting
- Revamp your product line
- Energy-Saving and Green Energy
- Build Green from the start
- Offset carbon output
Social Sustainability
Both your customers and employees prefer doing business
with a company that supports a good cause. Giving back to the community that supports
you can have a far more cost-effective and further business reach from positive
brand recognition, than you could ever buy through your advertising dollar.
- Donate money and/or time to non-profit
- Be creative and start your own initiative
Economical/Organizational Sustainability
You can do more for your employees and company owners
by creating a better work-life balance. This ultimately encourages a happier work
environment and proves to lean towards higher employee retention.
- Conduct traditional meetings in non-traditional settings
- Schedule company outings and vacations
- Recognize external commitments
- Support independent projects and personal development
- Improve diversity
In Conclusion
At Flexocleaners.com we are consistently looking for ways
to improve our impact and relationship with our community, recognizing there is
always more you can do. We also recognize that it takes time and resources to do
it properly. The best concept to understand is that while it’s important to become
environmentally, socially, and economically responsible, it does not have to happen
all overnight. Perhaps the biggest change we have made is the launch of a full line
of chemically superior yet environmentally friendly ink cleaning chemicals, specifically
formulated for the flexographic industry. As more of our customers recognize the
need for sustainable, safe products, we can be confident that we have done our job
to provide a responsible and professional solution. As part of our ongoing efforts
we donate a portion of all sales to non-profits that support environmental causes.
Currently we work with Co-Op America, The Union Of Concerned Scientists and 1% for
the Planet. For more information on this topic please visit our Charitable Causes page and feel free to place your own
donation to help support a good cause.
*If you are concerned that someone might be trying to greenwash (talking the talk
but not walking the walk) their products and/or services, there are a number of
reputable non-profits and non-governmental organizations that review and certify
these services, such as Green-e and The Carbon Fund. Other reliable sources include
the Federal Trade Commissions Environmental Marketing Guides and trade magazines
such as GreenBiz.
Sustainability Resources:
Energy Star
Sourceguides
Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy
U.S. Green Building Council website
Green-e
The Carbon Fund
Federal Trade Commissions
GreenBiz
Zerofootprint
Carbon Footprint
Database of State Incentives for
Renewables & Efficiency
1% for the Planet
Co-Op America
Union of Concerned Scientists
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