“Going Green” is more than a trendy slogan – it’s a way to share the holiday spirit. Many corporations and consumers alike are looking for eco-friendly ways to make a difference. Make Plant-A-Tree Cards part of your holiday gift and enhance your company’s image while assisting the Earth. Printed on recycled or seed-embedded paper that grows wild flowers when planted, Plant-A-Tree Cards donate a tree to a global re-forestation project once they are redeemed. Seed a brighter future with Plant-A-Tree Cards!

Why Choose Plant-A-Tree Cards for Your Holiday Gift?

• Plant-A-Tree Cards show your brand’s green initiative and help your customers or employees “Go Green” as well!
• Plant-A-Tree Cards are a unique gift that recipients will appreciate and remember.
• With an interactive redemption experience, this gift makes recipients part of the process and allows them to plant a tree in an area they choose.
• Recipients will feel good about helping the Earth by having a tree planted in their name in one of many global re-forestation projects.

To see how it works, watch this video

And if you frequent Starbucks®, there’s a more than likely chance that you peruse the items on sale by the counter while waiting for your triple grande cappuccino mocha latte with 2% milk and a shot of espresso. If so, you may have run into this particular cup. It’s a clear 16 ounce, double wall acrylic tumbler with a straw, retailing for approximately $15.

Because it’s a double walled cup, it has insulating qualities to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold without your hand knowing the difference. Its twist off cap makes it easy to get refills of which ever drink tickles your fancy, and secure enough to take it on the go. Each cup comes with a matching colored straw to keep you sipping along.

Aside from the clear cup, we also offer nine different juicy colors: from apple to tangerine. Click on the image below to zoom in on all the colors available. And no retail pricing here. The minimum to order is 36 at $6.99 each (which comes with a one color imprint). And speaking of cool cups, check out this cup which Starbucks® also carries in its online store. Oh, and don’t forget the green factor involved in these reusable drink vessels—stylish and eco-conscious to boot! A great gift for employees and clients.

Cups and mugs are one of the last things that I typically recommend when people ask me for promo ideas. It’s one of those ubiquitous items that are so common in the promo industry… like pens or mouse pads…. Unless you have a cool design, it’s just another mug. Until now.

Not being a coffee drinker myself, I still found that this classic design really appealed to me. Landfills are piled high with tons of disposable cups from Starbucks and other local area coffee shops. But what if coffee drinkers (or even hot tea drinkers—not wanting to discriminate) can enjoy their  drink and not add to the garabage collection? Now, this disposable cup is available in thermal porcelain with a silicone lid—How cool is that? Sip away on your favorite beverage without feeling guilty for not being green.

The icing on the cake? Your logo on the side (without being disposed of)  and it comes with an eco-friendly box. Want to make it more of a gift? Add a bag of coffee, cider mix, or fill it with candy. Available in white or black. Call for imprint and cost details: 713.652.2030.

That’s about the only question left to be answered with this versatile paper stock. Whether you’re a floral shop, eco-enthusiast or just like standing apart from the crowd, you will fall in love with this seeded paper. WAIT, what? Seeded paper? What exactly does that mean?

For starters it uses 100% recycled post-consumer waste and is embedded with seeds—from dill to parsley, forget-me-nots to wildflowers. When the recipient is finished with the paper, all he has to do is sprinkle some water, plant it and then watch it grow. How cool is that? A zero waste product that blooms. And for those serious about their environmental impact, you can breathe easy knowing the inks used to print on this paper stock is chemical-free and all soy-based.

Now that your inner tree-hugger is satisfied, just imagine the possibilities. Beautiful seeded postcards that will make anyone checking the mail think twice (or thrice) before sorting it with the rest of the junk mail. Business cards that make a statement and look completely unique. Party favors or trade show give-aways such as coasters or bottle neckers that not only start a conversation, but something that people will feel good about using. Thank you cards to clients that show that you care enough to send flowers. The possibilities are endless…book markers, calendars, journals, gift card holders, and even custom packaging.

So, again I pose the question— A great promotional item… or the greatest? You decide.

Okay.  They really don’t have to be just for schools, but the first thing that popped in my head was school fundraiser. Each of these products is a new twist on an existing item and could be used for sport teams or sport themes. First item up—the sweatshirt water bottle.

This cool collegiate looking Bio-DPS biodegradable water bottle is covered with a hooded sweatshirt. The soft cotton material is fun to hold and has a front pocket to keep your stuff—great place for tickets to the game! Sweatshirts come in blue and white. Minimum order is 72. Price $7.77 with 1-color, 1-location imprint.

Second item up is the jersey backpack in both a basketball and baseball design.  This is a great way to show off your team or company logo on your back – the imprint is a whopping 10”W x 8”H. These backpacks cinch at the top and are 16” x 20” and made out of polypropylene.  The basketball version comes in red, blue; baseball version comes with red, navy or black pinstripes.  Minimum order is 100 and start at $2.80 with 1-color imprint.

Yup. It’s possible with the clothing line Alternative Earth by Alternative. These “freethinkers” (as they consider themselves) combine the fashionably hip with the socially conscious by using organic cotton, recycled polyester and rayon from naturally occurring polymers. They also use natural or low-impact dyes containing no toxic chemicals or heavy metals and wash methods that reduce water usage from traditional usage. But wait—there’s more! One percent of Alternative Earth sales go to charities such as the Wildlife Trust and the Gulf Restoration Network. Can’t you just feel the Earth-love?

The eco-friendly feature is just one aspect of the Alternative Earth line. The other? Incredibly well-designed and innovative casual apparel made to quite possibly be (in this girl’s opinion) the softest and most comfortable fabric you’ll ever wear. No compromises are made when it comes to the style, quality and fit of these chic products. From the Organic Tunic to the V-gan V-Neck, the “Fonzarelli” Eco-Verigrain Henley or the modern vintage Eco-Heather Hoodie. No matter which piece of clothing you decide to brand and make your own, it would certainly get plenty of attention and and not to mention, tons of usage. Whether you want to be seen as fashion-forward or socially responsible, you can make a statement and start a conversation with Alternative Earth. Check out styles, colors and sizes here or simply contact Bullpen if you have questions. And remember, when it comes to helping the earth, even the smallest change can make a world of difference.

Everywhere you look these days, we’re being bombarded by words like:  green, eco or earth friendly, enviroconscious.  Is going green hype or here to stay?  Green is the new low-fat and this blogger thinks it’s here to stay

So what does green actually mean other than the obvious? Okay yes, it’s a color or to be more precise, it’s an additive primary color. My 4 year old would tell me it’s a mixture of yellow and blue. Green is closely related to the Old English verb growan or “to grow”. Back in the 80’s it was popular to call money “green”. Green topics are on the covers of most magazines and newspapers around the country, yet everyone struggles with the definition.

The definition that I found and like the most is in Infoworld analyst Ted Sampson’s blog:

A green product or service is one that delivers comparable or superior performance, utility, or other benefits to an alternative one while utilizing fewer resources, containing fewer toxic materials, and/or boasting a longer lifecycle.

To that end, I would like to introduce two green promotional products that I really like:

It’s an LED “never needs a battery” flashlight and it’s a cell phone recharger. Simply wind it up for about a minute and the light lasts for roughly 30 minutes. It easily fits in a glove compartment, purse or on your wrist – it’s readily accessible in an emergency. Awesome safety award, employee recognition gift or trade show giveaway – add the logo (1-color) and you’re still under $10.

]]> http://www.bullpenmarketing.com/weknowpromo/2008/07/green-is-gold/feed/ 1 http://www.bullpenmarketing.com/weknowpromo/2008/04/sunflower-hulls-and-old-newspapers/ http://www.bullpenmarketing.com/weknowpromo/2008/04/sunflower-hulls-and-old-newspapers/#comments Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:58:06 +0000 admin http://www.bullpenmarketing.com/weknowpromo/?p=8 Posted by: Tiffany Yates

So Bullpen got this sample in the mail – and it’s crazy!  It’s actually hanging on my office wall as I type.  One of our manufacturers now makes a frame – yes, just a normal picture frame – that is made out of recycled sunflower hulls! I kid you not!  It even smells like them!

The manufacturer calls it “Dakota Burl.”  Apparently that is supposed to be more seductive than “mashed up seeds.” ; )  I like it, though!  The patterning does resemble burled wood.  It’s hanging on my wall due to the sheer novelty. =)

The same manufacturer has another really cool item – a set of coffeetable coasters made from “biocomposite” – which is nothing more than recycled newspapers!

They’re elegant and mod – they totally remind me of a San Francisco loft.

Tiff

Seed-Embedded Stationery

This notecard is imprinted with a company’s name and contact information and comes in all shapes and sizes. The paper is embedded with seeds that can be planted to grow wild flowers, vegetables and herbs.

Seed cards are a big hit with women and gardening enthusiasts. When the recipient has read your message, they simply place the card in dirt, water it and wait for buds to grow.

These cards typically range from $2 to $4 a piece and provide your clients and employees with a lasting gift.

Water-Powered Calculators

These calculators are incredibly fun and effective for any audience. They are battery-less and made from recycled plastic. There’s a bullet-like piece that contains water, which powers the calculator. The bullet fits into the top of the calculator and is refilled when the water runs out.

Your company’s name and logo can be printed above the number screen. These usually cost between $10 and $12, but will forever remain on your audience’s desk. Priceless !

Battery-Less Flashlights

Many occasions call for a flashlight – flat tire, electricity outage, tornado! With everything else to remember, who has time for batteries? This battery-less flashlight charges by hand-cranking the arm.

Your name or logo is printed on top. These products can range anywhere from $10 to $30 depending on which features you choose. Some flashlights feature an emergency siren, FM scan radio, cell phone charging capabilities and magnetic wall mounts.

This products is great because it does not have batteries, which contribute dangerous leads and acids into the environment. Another exciting thing about this product is that it appeals to most any audience. Women keep them in their vehicles or purses for emergencies. Men use them to work in dark areas such as under the car or in the attic.

Green products are the new trendy promotional tool. Because so many companies are going green with recyclable office supplies, it’s great that they have more green options available.