Greening Your Wholesale Business WHY Sustainability Matters Its good for the environment Brand differentiation Customer trust Employee engagement Financial stability Resource security HOW to Implement Green Strategies ID: 302617
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Slide1
Perspectives from Handmade expressions
Greening Your Wholesale BusinessSlide2
WHY Sustainability Matters
It’s good for the environment
Brand differentiation
Customer trust
Employee engagement
Financial stability
Resource security Slide3
HOW to Implement Green Strategies
Business ProcessesUS Operations
International LogisticsSales and MarketingProduct Development
Artisan Engagement
Process
Strategy
Eco Impact
Cost
Benefit
Annual Planning
Prioritize and choose 2 or 3
High impact, low investment, high benefitSlide4
Reduce | Reuse | recycleUS OperationsSlide5
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Office Energy
Change your lighting: CFLs or LEDs, utilize sunlight
Power down: computers and electronics at end of day
Be seasonal: set temperature controls, casual office dress code
Green purchasing: Energy Star appliances
Renewable energy: self-financed or city programs
Handmade Expressions joined Austin Energy’s Green Choice program – 100% of our energy cost supports wind energy in TXSlide6
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
WasteRecycle and compost in office
Double-sided printingKitchenware – dishes, cutlery, mugsHand towels in kitchen and restrooms
Green purchasing:
Recycled-content paper
Refillable pens
Second-hand furniture and equipmentSlide7
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Warehouse
Handmade Expressions embraces recycled packaging
We reuse boxes in 50% of shipments to customers
Use papers, advertisements, and other materials for packaging
Partner with neighbors to get clean boxes
This also results in huge cost savingsSlide8
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Warehouse
Important to communicate your efforts
Use recycling to elevate your brand and showcase your commitment to environmental stewardship
Can increase customer engagement, trust, and loyaltySlide9
Emissions
Domestic Shipping
Huge but inevitable impact – think about carbon offsettingHandmade Expressions participates in UPS’s carbon neutral program
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Office Commuting
Engage employees to carpool, bike, or take public transportSlide10
Production planningInternational LogisticsSlide11
Production Planning
As fair trade wholesalers, international shipping is again an inevitable part of our business
Default ship by sea or ground transport
Minimize air shipping, particularly for heavy and bulky items
HOW to minimize this impact…?Slide12
Production Planning
2012 Goal
: Reduce Air Shipping Volume by 20%
2012 Results
:
41%
Reduction!Slide13
Eco-friendly communicationsSales and MarketingSlide14
Eco-Friendly Communications
Printed materials
Use FSC certified, recycled content paper and soy or vegetable-based inks
About 15% more expensive
B
ut adds long-term value if you add recycled symbols or messages
Divert to electronic communications where possibleSlide15
Eco-Friendly Communications
Handmade Expressions example
:
Decided
this year to launch only 1 catalog per year moving forward
Quarterly electronic launches
More efficient marketing
resources
Reduces costs
from photography, print, and mailSlide16
Eco-Friendly Communications
Business Travel
First, is travel necessary or can you employ new technologies?
Go To Meeting, Webinars, Skype all can enhance outreach or training in a green and affordable way
Flights
: direct, environmentally friendly airlines
Lodging
: stay within walking distance of destination, choose hotels that have green practicesSlide17
Sustainable ProductsProduct DevelopmentSlide18
Sustainable Products
Product Packaging
How to avoid poly bags?
V
ery harmful for the environment – plastic made from oil, cannot be recycledSlide19
Sustainable Products
Product Packaging: Think outside the bag!
Handmade Expressions example
: Upcycled Sari BagsSlide20
Sustainable Products
Green materials:
Recycled/Upcycled
Organic
Responsibly sourced
Natural Dyes
Divert from landfills
These are demanded by consumers and give you marketing value if communicatedSlide21
Sustainable Products
Handmade Expressions example:
Materials
In 2012, developed Preferred and Restricted Materials lists
Based off eco factors of renewability, water use, energy use, toxicity, and disposal options
Our challenges:
Artisans have access to few materials
We work with a vast array of products
and categoriesSlide22
Green ProductionArtisan EngagementSlide23
Green Production
As fair trade wholesalers, we are in a unique position of direct partnership with artisans and farmers
During producer visits, ask questions such as:
Are harsh chemicals used in any processes?
Where are dyes and effluents drained?
Are scarce resources required in production?
Is there potential for dust or smoke inhalation?
Partner with NGOs on environmental development projectsSlide24
Green Production
Handmade Expressions example
:
Water Conservation in
Barmer
Partnered with local NGO to develop and install custom water filtration system for block printing community
This will save over
5 million liters
of water per year!Slide25
Conclusion
HOW TO IMPLEMENT GREEN STRATEGIES
Keep it simple
List your areas of impact and prioritize
Focus on just 2 or 3 projects
Engage your team
Use their passion as an asset
Challenge them to set goals and celebrate achievements
Communicate to your customers
Delivers long-term brand value
Generates trust and excitement for your brand