Eco-Friendly

The promotional products industry is full of company's that have adopted ecologically friendly practices. From changes in office behavior and recycling practices to full-bore revamps of manufacturing methods and materials used, I think it is safe to say the “green” industry is bigger than U.S. Steel (name that movie reference).

I recently interviewed Mark Trotzuk, president of Boardroom ECO Apparel, for one of the articles I'm currently writing for our upcoming June responsibility supplement, which is a mini-issue about all kinds of great stuff like corporate social accountability and environmental stewardship.

Check out a slideshow of the latest green products the industry has to offer.

With the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, it became clear to the entire world, especially the athletes who were competing in a heavily polluted environment, that China was far from green. In fact, the more environmental measures the country pledged, the more it seemed they were simply papering over their carbon-created cracks. Similarly, the promotional products industry isn’t exactly green, and tentative steps in that direction have been motivated more by consumer demand than by a commitment to change. Companies are succeeding, but for the industry as a whole, getting to a higher level of understanding is a struggle. “There’s been the green

Kathie Lee Gifford changed everything. Whether she understood what was happening or not, her role in the 1995 Wal-Mart clothing sweatshop scandal was invaluable. “She was dragged into this thing kicking and screaming. But she really helped start the anti-sweatshop campaign. [In doing so,] she educated a country of 300 million people,” explained Charles Kernaghan, executive director of the National Labor Committee, a nonprofit watchdog group with a mission to protect the rights of workers around the world. Kernaghan’s group exposed the abuses occurring within the factory walls, and later would initiate an almost-obligatory United States corporate behavioral shift from simple, bottom-line profit and

Senator pen introduced two new pens featuring 95% recycled barrels—the Innovator Eco and Super Hit Eco. Both of these pens offer forgery-proof, non-toxic ballpen ink refills, free “Mix ‘N Match”, free set ups, and a one-color imprint. The Innovator is made in the United States and can come with a latex-free soft grip, a gel or jumbo refill, and can be 360 degree imprinted for no extra charge (including raised imprint technology for tactile logos). For more information to n Senator Pen, visit www.senatorpen.com.

EVER SINCE PRODUCT recalls hit the promotional and retail sectors this past summer, Proposition 65 has been the watchword on the lips of both suppliers and distributors. With the start of the 2008 trade show season, the sense of greater awareness became especially evident. “Prop 65 compliant” signage is more prominently displayed. Education programs on the law are offered. And suppliers are adopting product designations and new testing procedures to ensure they’re keeping pace with Prop 65, which is said to be the most strict product-safety law in the country. Otherwise known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986,

OVER THE PAST few years, it’s been discussed ad nauseam, advertised to the hilt and covered extensively in the pages of this magazine and others around the globe. Everyone is aware the Green Movement has a starring role in today’s business climate, yet the abundance of jargon that comprises the revolution’s supporting cast gets very little time in the spotlight. A general understanding of the terminology can go a long way to help the sale of consumer-requested organic apparel, not to mention increase the comfort level of end-users hesitant to go the green mile. Read on for a comprehensive cheat sheet, from A

Alpharetta, Georgia-based Peleman Industries Inc., manufacturer of the award-winning Unibind PhotoBook Creator and a line of high-quality binding and lamination products, announced its environmentally friendly Unibind Green PhotoBooks, which are made from natural and recycled materials. The Unibind Green PhotoBooks will be debuted at the 2008 Photo Marketing Association (PMA) Convention, held January 31 to February 2, 2008 in Las Vegas. The Green PhotoBooks are manufactured with a natural cover comprised of 100 percent cotton-flax, made from natural and recycled materials. Additionally, 35 percent of Unibind’s products are made with recycled materials. The environmentally friendly PhotoBook is one of

Created for on-the-go individuals, Alo, a women’s and men’s performance apparel brand based in Los Angeles, introduced new styles, unique proprietary technologies and new fabric mixes in its 2008 wholesale collection. Alo, named after the air, land and ocean, prides itself on being a company with a strong connection to the environment. With the inclusion of bamboo in some of its fabric mixes for the 2008 wholesale collection, Alo fortified its mission to help reduce its impact on the environment while positioning itself as a pioneer in the wholesale industry utilizing eco-friendly materials. The bamboo lyocell performance fabric has naturally