GREEN IS BETTER
ble, the benefits to their bottom line will
surely endure.”
purchasing is an important part of this.’ ”
HOW YOU CAN GREEN UP
continued from page 7
GET CONNECTED
Mr. Rossolo recommended that,
“For manufacturers of greener school
products, the quickest and simplest way
to show compliance with these new and
emerging policies and guidelines is to
have their products certified by a reputable third party. In fact, public entities
prefer – and are often required – to use
third-party vetted products. As a result,
manufacturers whose products have
earned such third-party certifications
automatically have a strong leg-up on
the competition.
Fortunately, the movement to ensure
that our children learn in these healthier environments is not likely to wane.
Indeed, the benefits of healthier, more
sustainable schools are undeniable –
from improved student performance and
reduced absenteeism to higher teacher
retention rates. For manufacturers that
take the initiative now to make their
products more environmentally prefera-
essentials
magazine
essentials
weekly
So get greener and make it known.
How? Here are three ways you can become a green leader in the marketplace:
First, green up your product line.
Carry products made from recycled
materials such as recycled notebooks;
reusable water bottles; eco-friendly
school bags, pencils and crayons. Offer
products that save energy like solar chargers or products that are used to save the
environment such as recycling bins. You
can even offer classroom furniture made
from recycled wood fiber.
Second, sell materials that teach
eco-friendliness. There are nature guides,
books about safeguarding the environment, and arts and crafts kits that teach
conservation. Sell display materials to
help teachers and students support a
greener classroom. For example, posters
that remind everyone to turn off the
lights, open the blinds, open the windows and turn off the AC, make sure the
faucet isn’t leaking and so forth. You can
even offer lesson plans and worksheets
that focus on the environment in the
form of a weekly lesson. All made from
recycled materials, of course.
Third, make your marketing greener
and publicize it. Use recycled paper to
print promotion materials. Improve the
screening of your mailing lists to reduce
the amount of promotion you distribute.
Incorporate recycled or recyclable materials for packaging and shipping. Create
green marketing campaigns and events.
Earth Day (April 22, 2014) is a major
eco-event among teachers and students.
You can have an Earth Day sale, an
Earth Day discount, even an Earth Day
giveaway.
Bob Stimolo, NSSEA’s Official School
Market Consultant, is President of School
Market Research Institute (SMRI) a full
service marketing and research firm. We
encourage you to contact Bob for advice
and counsel on your marketing programs.
There is no charge to NSSEA members.
Call 1-800-838-3444 ext. 205 or email
[email protected]. Visit the SMRI
website www.smriinc.com.
OVER 4500 SUBSCRIBERS
FREQUENCY DISCOUNTS
MULTIPLE PLACEMENT OPTIONS
specED
ADVERTISE
RESERVE YOUR
SPOT TODAY!
FOR AD RATES AND GUIDELINES
call: 800.495.5550 ext. 1034
email: [email protected]
visit: www.nssea.org/publications
essentials | WWW.NSSEA.ORG 19