Green Products

[Shaunyboy3383]

Hi all

Does anyone know of any companies pursuing green marketing and who are in need of some products.

I have a new range of products from pens, pencils, coasters, mugs even water powered products such as calculators.

At the moment though we havent had much interest in them and i wonder if its due to a lack of interest in the subject (unlikely given the publicity) or simply because we havent marketed them well enough.

Shaun

 

[The Printed Bag Shop]

Hi Shaun we are doing alot with greener bags such as cotton and jute. but the only reason we are doing as much is because of all the hype with carrier bags. i will mention your products to a few people who have bought these bags from me. can you put the companies name onto these.

 

[Shaunyboy3383]

Hi Craig

On most cases yes we can.

the products we have on offer are

Pencils
Colouring Pencils
Pens
Pen and Pencil Packs
Rulers
Mugs
Coasters
Pencil Cases
Mousemats
Bookmarks
Notepads
Leather CD cases (recycled leather)
A5 Leather Personal Organiser (recycled leather)
A4 Leather Conference Folder (recycled leather)
Document Wallets
Ring Binders
Key Rings
Zip tags
Magnets
Badges
Paper Clips
Pencil Toppers
Frisbees
T-shirts
Water Powerd Calculators
Solar Radios
Manual Radio Torch
Combination Torch Radio
Radio, Torch, Alarm & Charger
Radio Torch & Chargers


Shaun

 

[ExpandOnline]

Shaun
Do you have a website? The water powered calculator sounds fun - how does that work? - any pictures?

I use green hosting... no seriously... super-efficient power supplies and carbon offsetting I believe.

Peter

 

[Shaunyboy3383]

Hi Peter

I've sent you a PM

Shaun

 

[maruby]

Shaun - what is your webaddress ?

 

[RayB]

Hi Shaun,

We get enquiries from time to time - if you have a website clearly promoting green products we would swap links with you and we could push enquiries your way - we get about 600 visitors/day looking for green products

 

[Calypso]

Shaun
I work with Remarkable Pencils in Worcester. They maybe interested in marleting some of your products. They may be a competitor, but you can always ask.

Good Luck

 

[ecommerce84]

Shaun,

we sell some water powered clocks in the shop I work in - people love them.

I used to do well with wind up mobile phone chargers, but sadly the ones I can get don't work with newer phones and I don't want to import them.

If anyone does know of a wholesaler/distributor selling them, I would love to hear from you.

 

[Cornish Steve]

I used to do well with wind up mobile phone chargers, but sadly the ones I can get don't work with newer phones and I don't want to import them.

The thinking behind this marketing approach amazes me. The water calculator, for example. Maybe some people will buy it as a gimmick, but because it's green? No way! And the wind-up phone charger. We spend a hundred years developing electrical technology only to crave a wind-up charger - to be green? Other than those people who want to waste money being seen to be green, I don't see a market.

On the other hand, you could solve real problems. The authorities at Heathrow once threatened to have me arrested for charging my laptop while waiting for a flight. I was amazed because it's standard practice the world over. Apparently, it was a cost-cutting measure, and I was stealing their power (there's customer service for you). If only I'd had one of those wind-up chargers. I used to take a number of long flights: Atlanta to Cape Town non-stop; Atlanta to Tokyo non-stop. How many laptop batteries does it take to work through those journeys?

The point I'm making, I suppose, is that green is a bandwagon and not necessarily the best marketing approach for these products. What about marketing a wind-up charger to frequent fliers? What about marketing the water calculator as a marketing give-away at shows? I'd find these ideas useful, but I'd write the products off if they're pushed at me as being green.

Incidentally, just because you're an environmentalist at heart doesn't mean that you have to push your products as being environmentally friendly. In fact, this could be a big mistake. You can achieve the same and better results by positioning your products as a solution to a problem - creating a greener world without your customers even knowing it.

 

[Shaunyboy3383]

Hi all

There are a few details on my website, www.rmdmarketing.co.uk i am in the process of developing an online catalogue for the items. if you need any more details please feel free to either email or pm me

Thanks

Shaun

 

[ecommerce84]

And the wind-up phone charger. We spend a hundred years developing electrical technology only to crave a wind-up charger - to be green? Other than those people who want to waste money being seen to be green, I don't see a market.

Steve,

I used to market them at hikers/campers. People would just Google 'wind up phone charger' and come to me. I guess they had already seen them somewhere to be looking.

I only added them as a novelty item and they really took off, I was amazed. I don't recall ever trying to sell them as green, or even mentioning the enviromental benefits.

 

[Cornish Steve]

This is exactly the point! You uncovered a real need that was going unanswered. As a result, your entire marketing story could change to focus on that new market! Who cares that the product is viewed by some people as green?

Frankly, if they are easy to carry and work efficiently, I think there's a sizable market for wind-up chargers. Why do you shy away from importing? It's almost impossible to be cost-effective without importing.

 

[RayB]

Steve - that was a great post - thanks!

PS - Shaun - I cannot help with promting your site - just adding a bunch of "green products" as an after thought is pants - please see Steves original post.........

PPS - Shaun - do you really offer marketing services............

 

[Shaunyboy3383]

To be fair Ray, its a new line of products ive been offered and i thought i would see who takes a bite. As i said it has lacked interest and i thought if anyone else has had something similar. I'm not overly bothered about pushing them as to be honest i have a few other things ongoing without really needing to push the green products. However people wanted to know what products they were so at least i now dont have to send the same email out a dozen times!!!!

Yes i do really offer marketing services, why?

 

I think we are about as green as it gets.

http://www.windandsolarshop.co.uk/

 

[RayB]

Yes i do really offer marketing services, why?

Sorry to be hard - but your site does not do a good job or marketing your marketing services - or your green products - it would not inspire me to use you for either - I hope you can take this as constructive criticism

 

[Shaunyboy3383]

Site is temporary.

I am in the process of creating a better looking site, but i'm struggling the time between working, setting up the company, doing work for clients, etc, etc. A few people kept asking to see my website though and i was criticised for not having one up and running. So now i have one up and running at least for information purposes.

 

[rotimigenius]

I do design e-commerce websites. I can help you with a classic e-commerce websites to save you your time and money.

 

[RayB]

Site is temporary.

I am in the process of creating a better looking site, but i'm struggling the time between working, setting up the company, doing work for clients, etc, etc. A few people kept asking to see my website though and i was criticised for not having one up and running. So now i have one up and running at least for information purposes.

Hi Shaun,

I hear what you are saying but my advice would be no site is better than a poor site in your line of work.

If I was a photograher would it do me any good to say "I'll do some copies of my work on the photocopier and sent them out as portfolio samples...."

Just trying to be constructive!

 

[Timbertags]

water powered calculators? wow.

i make eco plant labels,and other things like spatulas ect.. and im looking into getting some jute bags for packaging.

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

I fundamentally agree with Steve's post. I do think we need to think seriously about the environment, but everyone seems to be jumping on the 'green' bandwagon, using it as a sales gimmick. Gullible people may buy products which use no or less electricity, but with most of these products the cost to the environment is greater than the alternative. Who does the calculations on the cost (environmentally) of their production and transportation? This is often difficult, and only real experts come up with reliable figures. For example, as has been mentioned elsewhere on this forum, planting trees in temperate regions increases carbon emissions, as does composting with worms. Carbon trading is a very crude way of attempting to reduce carbon emissions, and I am doubtful if it will have any beneficial effect at all on the environment.
I have looked in some detail at figures for low energy light bulbs, and while it only takes a few months for them to pay for themselves financially in reduced electricity costs, it takes an average of two to three years for them to actually show environmental benefits, because of the cost to the environment of making them.
Until we start thinking about the total environmental cost (as opposed to the running cost) of a product, it is difficult to make any 'green' claims for anything.
Barrie

 

[ecommerce84]

Steve,

I'll have to see if I can source some more wind up chargers. You and my g/f are talking me into it!

I am actaully looking at buying a 'green' product myself. Not because it is green, but because it is the only option. I rent warehouse space on the local industrial estate. It has see through plastic rooving and this makes it very hot when the sun gets on it. It also has no power point. When I was in there the other day it dawned on me that what I needed was a solar powered fan.

It's Green, but my main reason for purchase would be because I can't get a normal fan in there. If i could, I would probably get one of those, as they would probably push more air around and are cheaper. A solar powered fan will cost in the region of £60, and as it is a small space, will probably mve enough air sufficiently.

 

[ecommerce84]

Sirearl,

I'm very intrigued by your Solar powered roof tiles. What price do they run at?

Me and my sister were discussing about something very similar a few months back.

 

[RayB]

Until we start thinking about the total environmental cost (as opposed to the running cost) of a product, it is difficult to make any 'green' claims for anything.
Barrie

Hi Barrie,

• In my vertical the Forest Stewardship Council are internationally recognised with regards to environmental and sustainable best practice for forestry/timber and therefore also paper.
• An FSC Certified end product therefore carries clout (e.g. BBC paper publications , Harper Collins books, latest Harry Potter Book, B&Q Garden Furniture is FSC Certified)
• For an end product to carry the FSC Logo (known as a claim) - EVERY part of the supply chain must have a (difficult to achieve) FSC Chain of Custody Certification
• In printing this means that a leaflet or whatever can show the logo if the: Forest > Paper Pulper> Paper Mill > Paper Merchant > Printer ALL have a valid Chain Of Custody - so you can literally trace the product back to the tree.

There are approx 18,000 printing companies in the UK - only 60 odd have FSC Chain Of Custody

And of those 60 only one sells online to small businesses at low prices to bring eco friendly practices to the masses

That company is ours

Therefore, with respect - I think I am genuinely entitled to call our services "Green"

 

Sirearl,

I'm very intrigued by your Solar powered roof tiles. What price do they run at?

Me and my sister were discussing about something very similar a few months back.

Give Chris a ring on the sites phone number or e-mail him for prices.

He don't bite ,and no sales pitch

Earl

 

[Cornish Steve]

When I was in there the other day it dawned on me that what I needed was a solar powered fan.

What power can realistically be generated using solar energy? For example, people have mentioned light bulbs. Indeed, we have a row of lights along our front path that charge during the day and give out light all night. Emergency phones on major roads are all powered by solar energy. You've mentioned a fan, but what's its output? I'm assuming that solar power could not power a hedge trimmer or similar outdoor device - although maybe it could help to recharge one. What is the practical power limit of a solar-powered device? I get the impression that, right now, it's comparatively little.

 

[Timbertags]

I have my tools powered by a large solar panel that charges a few old car batteries

 

What power can realistically be generated using solar energy? For example, people have mentioned light bulbs. Indeed, we have a row of lights along our front path that charge during the day and give out light all night. Emergency phones on major roads are all powered by solar energy. You've mentioned a fan, but what's its output? I'm assuming that solar power could not power a hedge trimmer or similar outdoor device - although maybe it could help to recharge one. What is the practical power limit of a solar-powered device? I get the impression that, right now, it's comparatively little.

well you could power your house with solar power as many people are now doing and for about £4,000 you could supply %75 of your hot water needs.

Chris our expert on solar power is in talks with a guy who wants his property to be completly self sufficient using a combination of solar panels and a huge great wind turbine which I think produces 10Kw per hour.

and as I look out of my window I can see 25 commercial wind generators in the thames estuary which I believe produce enough power for 60,000 homes.

this technology is here now ,just needs people to commit themselves to it to drive the component prices down.

I have an electricaly powered bike will take me 20 miles without pedalling for 5 pence worth of charge

Earl

 

[Cornish Steve]

Sorry, but a coal-powered power station is less of an eyesore than those horrendous wind turbines. I've seen so many wonderful landscapes around the world ruined by these things. They should be banned! (A little tongue in cheek, maybe, but I'm half serious about the ban.)

As for running a house on solar power, can you be specific? As far as I know, solar power can't come close to meeting the power needs of the typical household. For the typical family, how many square feet of solar paneling are we talking about? And when it comes to powering tools, the power generating device must be included in the device itself; I'm not talking about recharging later using big panels.

If I was to invent a new hand-held gadget and wanted to make it solar powered, what's the practical power limit?

 

Sorry, but a coal-powered power station is less of an eyesore than those horrendous wind turbines. I've seen so many wonderful landscapes around the world ruined by these things. They should be banned! (A little tongue in cheek, maybe, but I'm half serious about the ban.)

As for running a house on solar power, can you be specific? As far as I know, solar power can't come close to meeting the power needs of the typical household. For the typical family, how many square feet of solar paneling are we talking about? And when it comes to powering tools, the power generating device must be included in the device itself; I'm not talking about recharging later using big panels.

If I was to invent a new hand-held gadget and wanted to make it solar powered, what's the practical power limit?

actualy the ones we have are 5 miles out to sea ,and I find them rather elegant and more interesting than looking at the sea,and they don't belch smoke.

read our site for more info Steve

http://www.windandsolarshop.co.uk/

Earl

 

[Cornish Steve]

I have no problem with those placed out in the ocean because they don't destroy the landscape to the same extent - although they do spoil the seascape a little, but it's a price worth paying. Cornwall used to be littered with little windmills; in fact, most farms had one. What I object to are the horrendous concrete monstrosities that you can see for miles.

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

Therefore, with respect - I think I am genuinely entitled to call our services "Green"

I agree - there are some properly accredited products which are genuinely 'green'. What I object to is the huge number of products flooding the market with a 'green' label, with no accreditation. I doubt whether anyone has done even the crudest calculation on most of them. Surely you must be peeved at such products, when you have obviously gone to a lot of trouble to make sure yours is genuinely green.

As for solar panels, converting sun's energy into electricity is at present relatively inefficient. A 1570x786mm solar panel gives about 215W of electricity and costs over £1000 see http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Sanyo_HIT_solar_pv_panels.html The average house needs 3000+ W for much of the time, even if the heating is not electrical. It seems to me that solar panels producing electricity are only useful where small amounts of electricity are needed, e.g. for lighting, in places where mains electricity is not available. I would not call them 'green'.
A much more practical use of solar power is for heating water, and even then it seems difficult to incorporate them into combi boiler type systems (though it can be done). It is easier to fit them to systems that have a hot water tank, and for some people it is an achievable diy project, see for example http://www.bigginhill.co.uk/solar.htm
Barrie

 

[RayB]

I agree - there are some properly accredited products which are genuinely 'green'. What I object to is the huge number of products flooding the market with a 'green' label, with no accreditation. I doubt whether anyone has done even the crudest calculation on most of them. Surely you must be peeved at such products, when you have obviously gone to a lot of trouble to make sure yours is genuinely green.

Absolutely I get peeved Barrie for 2 reasons:

• Those jumping on the bandwagon are known as "greenwashers" and this leads to business/consumer "green blindness"
• This leads to cynicism and counter claims that there is no such thing as "green"

Also - we have a debate raging here about electricity.

Let me tell you all a fact - producing one tonne of recycled paper instead of virgin paper saves enough electricity to power an average 3 bedroom home for a year.

At alocalprinter.com we use 100% and 50% recycled (which looks the same as virgin paper) - to the tune of at least 3 tonnes a week of recycled content and growing.

So - our actions can power 150 houses for a year - a large village.

Also - nationally we have a debate/moan going on about fortnightly rubbish collections - well 90% of ALL waste in the UK is produced by businesses - so get recycling and use recycled products please - then perhaps there will be enough landfill space and money to collect our bins weekly.

Think out of the box

Now - please tell your friends - I want to convert small business owners to the facts!

 

I agree - there are some properly accredited products which are genuinely 'green'. What I object to is the huge number of products flooding the market with a 'green' label, with no accreditation. I doubt whether anyone has done even the crudest calculation on most of them. Surely you must be peeved at such products, when you have obviously gone to a lot of trouble to make sure yours is genuinely green.

As for solar panels, converting sun's energy into electricity is at present relatively inefficient. A 1570x786mm solar panel gives about 215W of electricity and costs over £1000 see http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Sanyo_HIT_solar_pv_panels.html The average house needs 3000+ W for much of the time, even if the heating is not electrical. It seems to me that solar panels producing electricity are only useful where small amounts of electricity are needed, e.g. for lighting, in places where mains electricity is not available. I would not call them 'green'.
A much more practical use of solar power is for heating water, and even then it seems difficult to incorporate them into combi boiler type systems (though it can be done). It is easier to fit them to systems that have a hot water tank, and for some people it is an achievable diy project, see for example http://www.bigginhill.co.uk/solar.htm
Barrie

agreed at present prices electricity generated from solar panels is expensive probably £15,000 for your average house.

But if the ball gets rolling with the help of grants e.t.c then like computer memory price reductions,It may be possble to produce the panel you quoted for £200 ?

At the moment systems only have real appeal for the wealthy or people who are concerned for the enviroment ,as opposed to most people looking for a return on there investment.

This could be brought about if the property market increased property prices in line wth the "green" investment.

as for solar water heating this has become a viable proposition with the introduction of evacuated tube panels 75% of your hot water needs for about £4,000 again the more produced the more prices will come down.

As for wind generated energy only large generators rated at 10Kw plus are viable provided the site is right.

The small generators sold in B&Q are rated at 1Kw but a realstic expectation is a power output averaging under 200 watts depending on site.So in my opinion a complete waste of time for a domestic application.

But again if the scale of production increases and the prices reduce anything is possible.

It was not so long ago that central heating was a luxury only afforded by the rich

It is possible for most of the planets energy needs to be provided from renewable sources.we just need the incentive to do it.

Not sure about solar powered planes looking at this weeks weather probably be better to have water wheel stuck on the back

 

[ecommerce84]

Steve,

I'm not sure how efficient (sp?) the fan would be, but as I say it is the only option. I ahve been reading up about them on an Allotment forum and they use ones desinged for boats and are quite effective by the seems of it.

Those jumping on the bandwagon are known as "greenwashers" and this leads to business/consumer "green blindness"

This is a problem, but I can't see it going away soon. If a company can get away with calling a product 'green', knowing it will sell more, then they will. The effort you have put into producing your green product amazes me, and I do comend you for the work put in. Tour prices are very good, and should I require printing, I know where to come.

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

Steve,

This is a problem, but I can't see it going away soon. If a company can get away with calling a product 'green', knowing it will sell more, then they will. The effort you have put into producing your green product amazes me, and I do comend you for the work put in. Tour prices are very good, and should I require printing, I know where to come.

Me too.
I've just seen a prime example of using green jargon for unscrupulous selling. I've just been to B&Q (don't like to admit this, but it was the only place I could find, selling masonary nails on a Sunday), and saw some battery operated hand fans they were promoting with LED fans blazened all over them. LED is a current buzz word for green technology - it stands for 'light emitting diode' and LED lights are very efficient (probably the low energy lighting of the future, although at present they are not bright enough for many practical applications). Many people though associate LED with green technology. These fans don't emit light, have no light emitting diode anywhere near them, and use battery power, which is one of the most expensive ways of buying electricity. How do they get away with it? I suppose some people would call this an example of good marketing, but I would say it contravenes the spirit of the Trades Descriptions Act.
Barrie

 

[Cornish Steve]

These fans don't emit light, have no light emitting diode anywhere near them, and use battery power, which is one of the most expensive ways of buying electricity. How do they get away with it? I suppose some people would call this an example of good marketing, but I would say it contravenes the spirit of the Trades Descriptions Act.

Popular culture loves to latch on to new fads. For a while, the Atkins Diet was all the rage in the US, and the number of foods that were suddenly marketed as Atkins-friendly was astonishing. 'Green' is just the latest marketing fad, which must be so frustrating for those who take the subject seriously. Still, wait a year or two and the media will have focused on something new.

What matters, in the end, is what we do ourselves. After all the hype is over, what are we doing that makes a difference? If enough people act in a certain way, the trend takes on a life of its own. It doesn't need stupid government regulation or stupid marketing; it takes commitment at the personal level.

 

[RayB]

What matters, in the end, is what we do ourselves. After all the hype is over, what are we doing that makes a difference? If enough people act in a certain way, the trend takes on a life of its own. It doesn't need stupid government regulation or stupid marketing; it takes commitment at the personal level.

Thank you - please read my posts and then this one - then realise that with small businesses changing simple things we can make a real and massive difference for no financial cost

 

[max737]

Hi
I Think some people are missing the point here. If some manufacturers are selling rubbish stuff in the name of "GREEN", that is down to people who are buying them. But I personally think that genuine green and eco-friendly products should be introduced to people. A lot of people are not aware of the range of eco-friendly stuff, that really work. I sell proper solar stuff, fabulousstuff.co.uk
I have to say, while deciding on my suppliers, decided to leave the rubbish stuff out of it, regardless of profit they can make for me, and concentrated on the things that can really make a difference and work!
Now think a solar garden light or solar security light:

• You are saving on wires and on/off switches (coppers and plastic and all that getting shipped all over the globe to become wire and get transported to shop floor and down to your garden)
• you are saving on the costs of a qualified electrician installing them for you.
• less material to be recycled in future.
• added to all that, they run on free energy from the sun!

I hope it does not sound like i'm trying to sell it to you guys, cause i am genuinely passionate about it, and we have to start using renewable energy to pave the way for future. I use them in my own garden and garage, they are fantastic.
I hope I didn't give you headache guys!

max