[MSC]

It would seem that every business big and small wants to be some shade of green these days. How do businesses who are legitimately 'eco' and ethical stand out as such without looking like they've jumped on a bandwagon?

More specifically, I am wondering what would be the best way to show the products 'eco credential without looking like it is a marketing ploy?
The products are all 100% natural with some organic and fair trade ingredients, hand made and packaged in recylcable material (glass). All mailing packaging is recycled and biodegradeable. Personally and as a family we do as much as we can and my daughter has appointed herself the family eco-monitor so we are always very aware of the need to save polar bears Seriously should I list all the things that mean I'm doing my bit, right down to my choice of bank, source of loo roll and type of fair trade tea I drink in the office, or is that a bit much? Do people even care or believe it when it seems every second business is shouting about their eco efforts and trying hard to prove they are 'eco' and therefore cool and hip now. It just seems like the big marketing campaigns spoil it for the genuine people.
What do you think?

[OnlyFair]

I agree that a lot of companies try to pass themselves off as eco friendly etc.

Personally, I always look to see whether a company says anything about their impact on the environment. I think that adding an environmental statement on your website is a good way of promoting what you are doing as a company - so you can put here that you recycle, your invoices are sent electronically etc.

Once you're up and running it's always worth looking for membership with different directories/organisations as this helps to build awareness and offers some comfort to your customers that you are a legitimate company. For example, I'm a member of Ethical Junction and my website has been verified as being ethical by The Ethical Products Organisation and within the next few months I also intend to apply for BAFTS membership.

I wouldn't worry about it looking like a marketing ploy. I think the best bet is to keep it honest and simple.

[Carbon Neutral Copy]

Originally Posted by MSC

Do people even care or believe it when it seems every second business is shouting about their eco efforts...

Yes, I think people do care and are becoming more and more switched on to 'greenwashing' and less and less tolerant of anything less than genuine green credentials. I wrote an article along these lines in my blog, if you're interested.

Vicky

[OnlyFair]

Great blog entry Vicky

[MSC]

Thanks for your replies. Kate I appreciate the links It is funny you say to keep things simple and honest as that is almost my motto

Thanks Vicky, agree with Kate, great blog post.

[RayB]

We simply have relevant qualifications to back up our environmental status - the main one being FSC Chain of Custody from the Forest Stewardship Council - we're the only online printer in the UK to have this certification - yet we don't have to charge more for our products

[Chris Straker]

I look for some authenticity when i browse sites and a mission statement also helps.
I did not regard myself as eco/green........ i was nominated for my first award, the winning of that gave credibility to my approach from then on. Three green business awards in 2 years does seem to attract a lot of inquiries via www

[MSC]

Thanks Ray. I really like your environmental pages and the effort that has been put into those pages alone speaks volumes regarding authenticity.

Chris thanks for your reply. I am going to have an 'Ethos' section with a mission statement etc.

When you say you did not regard yourself as eco/green, why was that? Do you mean before the awards? It must have been quite exciting getting the awards though

[Chris Straker]

Started using detergent free solutions 3 years ago but it was the start of my customers appreciating the step. I was being referred and asked for my eco cleaning stuff instead of detergents....... the rest is history

[BellaMiller]

Chris - I think you have a real niche

I decided to go down the "prove it" route like other posters in this thread, so I'm a member of Ethical Junction and my clothing is certified organic by the Soil Association.