Green Graphic Design: How to Start Using Better Materials in Your Business
Your business can invest in high-quality, sustainable packaging materials and eco-friendly graphic design – all while helping the environment.
Let’s face it: there are a lot of materials and physical resources that go into running a business. From business cards to letterhead, envelopes and product packaging, it can feel overwhelming choosing the best materials for your business. Luckily, more and more eco-friendly paper alternatives are being introduced to the market, making environmentally conscious design more accessible and affordable.
Let’s discuss a few benefits of using sustainable materials in your business and how to make the switch once and for all.
But first, let's answer the question: what is green marketing?
What is Green Marketing?
Green marketing is when a company focuses on the environmental and sustainable benefits of their product in their marketing assets. These products are usually made in a sustainable way, do not contain toxic materials, are produced with recycled or renewable materials, don't have excessive packaging, or are designed to be recycled.
When a company can make its products in a way that's eco-friendly, it shows that they're committed to sustainability and social responsibility. Plus, it helps with brand reputation. When you make your products in an environmentally friendly way, you can focus on green marketing to let everyone know that you're making an effort to help the environment.
Brands are increasingly discovering that demonstrating a high level of social responsibility can increase loyalty among socially conscious consumers. The key barrier to sustainable business practices is the short-term cost. Going green typically costs more upfront, but generates great rewards in the long run.
However, it's important to note that you can't just market something eco-friendly if it's not. There are regulations and legal standards you must follow for green marketing. Otherwise, it's greenwashing. Companies can seriously damage their brand and sales if a green claim is discovered to be false or contradicted by another company's products or practices.
For green marketing to be successful, it must align with your brand values. Having one green product when the rest of your products aren't can make consumers question your environmental commitment.
3 Reasons to Consider Sustainable Graphic Design Products
The science is clear. If we don't start changing the way we do business and live life, the planet will become uninhabitable for future generations. Climate change will only worsen as the years pass, meaning the time to act is now.
But, there's still hope. Dedicated scientists are developing new sustainable products and solutions every day. In addition to reducing waste and closing the consumption loop, brands can do even more to help protect the environment. Here are three reasons why you should consider making sustainable swaps in your business or organization.
Monitoring your carbon footprint helps you reduce harm to the environment.
Because we use so many materials in our businesses and marketing campaigns every day, there's so much room for eco-friendly products. By switching to recycled paper, tree-free materials or compostable packaging, we're consciously reducing the impact of our business on the environment. Virgin paper contributes to deforestation while plastic and other non-compostable packaging materials contribute to massive landfills across the globe. Opting for recycled and/or alternative fiber materials can prevent further harm to the planet.
Investing in eco-products shows customers that you genuinely care about the planet.
We believe the challenges we face as a society require leadership and action. By implementing sustainable business practices, you’re showing customers that you’re taking an active role in combatting climate change. In other words, you’re leading by example. Customers take note of the issues that matter to brands. In this scenario, you’re showing them a level of compassion and care for the earth that they aren’t seeing in other companies. This sets you apart from competitors and helps build a deeper trust with customers based on shared values.
Mindful business and marketing practices build connection beyond the sale.
The reason sustainable marketing materials are becoming more accessible is that companies like yours are continually choosing them over more harmful alternatives. The more you choose eco-friendly products, the more common (and affordable) they’ll become. You play a key role in the environmental movement of brands that are choosing to address their carbon footprint and close their consumption cycles.
5 Ways to Start Using Better Materials in Your Business
Now that we’ve gone over a few ways making the switch will help the environment, your customers, and your business, let’s talk a little bit more about what goes into sustainable graphic design products.
The common assumption is that more eco-friendly packaging materials are much more expensive than their generic counterparts and that they’re much harder to come by. The truth is, there are more sustainable marketing material options than ever, which makes your job even easier!
There are a few simple things you can do now to make waves with your marketing while helping the environment—let’s talk about them!
1. Research alternative paper stocks and sustainable packaging options.
Believe it or not, you don’t have to use paper products at all for your business! With alternative materials like hemp, straw, cotton, and bamboo, there are so many options available to you, for only a small uptick in prices. Environmental graphic design products have never been more accessible, and all you have to do is research alternative products that would work best for your business. Have fun with it! Imagining new ways of marketing doesn’t have to be stressful; help the planet and help your business stand out.
Here are a few of our go-to resources:
2. Consider the lifecycle of the products you already use in your supply chain.
After you research alternative fibers and sustainable paper stocks, take stock of the materials you are currently using. Do you know where they came from? Are they made with sustainability in mind? Do you have an effective recycling system? Are there products that seem easier than others to switch out? Take some time to ask the tough questions. The more you understand the materials and products you use for your business, the more effective the switches will be when you decide to make them.
3. Start small, then expand. It’s better to aim for progress than perfection.
There might already be some aspects of your marketing or shipping process that are simple to change; switch Styrofoam packing peanuts for brown paper. Switch virgin paper to recycled paper. Don’t overwhelm yourself with changing absolutely everything at once; take it one step at a time. And remember: the most sustainable materials are the ones you already own. Don’t throw everything out and try to start fresh! It will be a gradual process, and that’s okay.
4. Pursue an FSC certification.
Sustainable forestry is one of the best ways to address the most harmful effects of climate change; the forests are the earth’s lungs, and we have to protect them at all costs. Receiving a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification shows that you are complying with the most stringent social and environmental standards on the planet. Though the process can be a bit complicated, the FSC has outlined the steps you’ll need to take clearly on their website.
5. Enlist help from a green marketing expert.
Here at Atlas Studio, we love talking about this kind of thing. We’re experts at helping companies make the switch to sustainable materials, and we’re always here to help. In fact, our graphic designers love working with alternative fibers and biodegradable packaging, and we’re always encouraging more brands to consider them. We want more people to understand that the long-term benefits far outweigh the small uptick in price.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Overwhelmed by the information above? Curious how alternative paper stocks and sustainable materials could be implemented in your business? Book a free consultation with our team and we’ll be happy to help you find the right fit.
