Hive Ideas - the sustainability marketing specialists

The Business Case

Want to convince yourself, or your boss, that sustainability makes good business sense? Try this section for facts and figures to get you thinking.
42% of people will pay more for green products/services.

Getting Started

Want to leverage operational changes that improve sustainability as part of your marketing activity? This section will help you get started.

58% of people respect brands that promote their environmental credentials.³

Green Choices Workshop

Not sure what sustainability could mean for your marketing and want a supportive environment to explore possibilities with your team? Try our Green Choices Workshop.

Targeting

Confused about who you should talk to and how to reach them? Try this section for some tips to help you decide where to focus.

30% of the UK population fall into one of three 'green' groups.³

Messaging

Want to cut through the crowded messages that are confusing customers? Have a look at how other brands are tackling this challenge and get some tips on how to get your message heard.

40% of people are confused about environmental messages.³

Environmental Footprint

Want some help to understand how your company could be more sustainable? Here you'll find a list of government bodies, consultants and charities that can get you on your way.

Offsetting

Want to go carbon neutral but worried about making the right carbon offsetting choices? Get expert help on how you should go about it and what makes a good offset product.

If we accept that the need to drive results will inform media choices, then all forms of marketing communications, including print media, are going to be around for some time. This part of the site gives you some ideas of how to improve your existing activity with sustainability very much in mind.

Standard sizes
Stack of paper Where possible stick to traditional A sizes since they can be planned up with least paper wastage.

Lightweight paper
Choose lower gsm stocks where you can.

Avoid some special effects
Metal finishes, fluorescents and UV varnishes. Choose laminates that are biodegradable.

Cellulose envelope windows
Windowed envelopes are not recyclable, but using the cellulose film option will at least mean they biodegrade in landfill.

Use recycled paper
Overall it's better for the environment even taking into account the energy and processing required. Go for high recycled content with low bleaching options.

Use FSC only
Beware the term 'sustainably managed', FSC certification is the best guarantee of genuinely sustainable practice. The FSC mark means that the chain of custody can be proved at every stage.

Vegetables Use vegetable based inks
Because they can be replanted they are sustainable, rather than inks made from minerals since they are a finite resource.

Reduce ink usage
Avoiding bleeding images can help plan up more efficiently and reduce the risk of highly inked paper becoming unsuitable for recycling. Alternatively, use a coated paper stock as it absorbs less ink than uncoated.

Avoid glue binding
Choose a wire bind, saddle stitching or stapling.

Use the appropriate logos (FSC, recycled etc)
Let people know what you're doing to work in a more sustainable way and encourage others to follow your lead.

For more detailed guidance visit the excellent websites www.ppe.uk.net and www.lovelyasatree.com. They're valuable resources for anyone involved in print and both are supported by WWF.

Find a paper stock to meet your needs at

http://www.ppe.uk.net/pages/paper/paperfinderlist.php

http://www.lovelyasatree.com/paperfinder.htm

Find a printer who cares for the environment at

http://www.ppe.uk.net/pages/print/printfinderlist.php

http://www.lovelyasatree.com/printfinder.htm

Hive - Sustainability Communications & Ideas

Production