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Saving Energy in the Summer: Top Tips
Jun 28, 2022
Don’t let your energy bills skyrocket when the thermometer does this summer. Here are some useful eco-friendly tips for saving energy whilst keeping cool this season.
1. Replace your air filter
Whilst upgrading your A/C is the best way to keep it running as energy-efficient as possible, this can be costly to do. A much simpler way of making sure your A/C is efficient is to frequently replace the air filter.
Air filters can get clogged up with dust and pet hair, which gets in the way of the cool air that your air conditioner is trying to pump into the room. This means your A/C is going to have to work harder and for longer to cool down a room. Changing the air filter can reduce energy usage by 15% to help you with saving energy in the summer.
2. Closing blinds = Saving energy
If you have South or Western-facing windows, the sun will have a greenhouse effect and cause the inside of your room to heat up. Prevent unnecessary heat from getting into your home (whilst saving energy used by your A/C) by keeping blinds or curtains on this side of the house closed during the day.
To make sure the room is still bright, you can open the blinds for windows facing other directions. You can use sheer curtains on sunny windows, allowing light through whilst reflecting heat.
3. Lower temperature washing
You likely already know about saving energy by washing clothes at a lower temperature. Not only is this more eco-friendly, it also means your boiler and machine will emit less heat into your home!
It’s also worth considering washing yourself at a lower temperature, too! Taking a cool shower can help with saving energy in the summer, whilst keeping you feeling fresh. A cool shower uses less energy and doesn’t warm up the rest of your home like a steamy one would!
4. Spend more time outside to save energy!
Getting out of the house means you can turn off your appliances, saving energy by simply not using any! Just think about all of the electricity you use when spending the day at home glued to a screen.
Spending time outside means you’ll reduce overall usage, whilst preventing your home from being heated by electronics, putting more strain on your A/C.
To help keep cool outside in the summer months, cooler bags are an essential! They help with saving energy through insulated materials that don’t require power. Wholesale cooler bags are perfect for sports teams, school kids, or even for office workers to bring their own lunches.
Your business can make the most of the heat by stocking up on reusable wholesale cooler bags this season. Encourage people to spend more time outside and start saving energy in the summer!
Eco-Friendly Exercise: Go Green with your Fitness Regime!
Jun 23, 2022
With the rise in awareness around environmental issues today, many of us are making green lifestyle changes. Some of us now opt for organic food choices, have switched out single-use plastic shopping bags for reusable totes, or even drive an electric vehicle to reduce our carbon footprint. The thought of eco-friendly exercise isn't one that comes up often, but is worth exploring.
Making even small adjustments to our daily lives can have a big difference, and you can apply your eco-friendly ambitions to your fitness regime, too.
Choose an eco-friendly exercise
Large gyms can have a negative impact on the environment, due to their high energy consumption and the fact that people have to drive to get to them. Many of these gyms are open 24/7, which means all of their electronic machines, lights and music are, too.
Ditching the gym will not only save you money in membership fees, but could also help save the environment. Eco-friendly exercises like hiking or running don’t require any energy usage except your own body’s.
Choosing to go for a hike or a run also exposes you to nature, which has multiple benefits. Numerous studies show that spending time outside has a positive effect on our mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and enhancing our brain activity. Getting out amongst natural beauty encourages you to continue on your eco-friendly journey, by showing you what you’re working so hard to protect.
You can even try out Sweden’s hottest eco-friendly exercise: plogging! This is where you pick up trash whilst jogging or hiking, improving both yourself and your environment.
Improvise with equipment
There are plenty of things around the house that can help you make more eco-friendly choices surrounding exercise. Try using a sturdy chair or coffee table for tricep dips, or using a wall for standing push-ups!
Make your own free-weights by filling reusable bottles with water or sand. If you need something heavier, fill a tote bag with bags of flour or tins.
Make sustainable choices
Eco-friendly activewear brands have grown in popularity in recent years. It’s now easier than ever to minimize your environmental footprint by making conscious clothing choices. Fast fashion is notoriously bad for the environment, leading to around 37 million tonnes of fiber waste each year.
Activewear goes through a workout every time you do, stretching and becoming misshapen over time. Cheap options often won’t last very long, which means the synthetic fibers that they’re typically made from will end up in landfill. Opting for an eco-friendly exercise brand is both cost-effective and sustainable.
Carry your eco-friendly exercise efforts through every step of your workout by choosing reusable sports bottles as opposed to disposable plastic ones. Personal trainers and gyms can make an eco-friendly impact by offering these to their clients. Refilling water bottles saves tonnes of single-use plastic from landfill.
Solar Energy: US Boosts Production
Jun 21, 2022
Latest news shows that the Biden administration has made a push for growth to the US solar energy industry.
New developments are seeing solar projects get back on track. This action lines up with the US’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2035.
What's halted solar energy growth in the US?
We've seen limited growth of solar energy in the US recently due to ongoing investigations into trade-law violations.
China dominates the market for solar materials, as the country can sell at much lower costs than elsewhere. Many of the large-scale solar energy projects across the US source their materials cheaply from China to keep expenses down.
Cheaply importing materials from China means US companies in the Solar Industry suffer. It's impossible for them to match prices for products such as silicon.
In 2011, the US imposed tariffs on cheap solar energy materials from China. This was to help support US companies compete in the market. Unfortunately, many Chinese manufacturers then set-up companies in other parts of Southeast Asia to avoid paying these tariffs.
Investigations into companies in Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand have halted the growth of US solar energy projects by preventing the import of cheap materials.
New pause on solar tariffs: what does this mean?
On Monday 6th June, the Biden administration announced that they’re pausing all tariffs on imports for solar energy materials.
Whilst this means that solar energy projects across the US can continue as planned (with the aim of providing enough electricity to power an additional 1 million homes by the end of the year), it also comes with a side dish of controversy.
Where tariffs are no longer an issue, the companies who are under investigation for breaking US trade-law are getting a ‘free-pass’ to sell at low prices to the US. This is the opposite of what US companies within the Solar Industry are asking for. These companies would instead like to see tougher regulations around cheap imports of solar materials.
However, the administration has also implemented the Defense Production Act toward solar energy for the first time. This means US companies in the solar energy field (such as REC Silicon and Ferroglobe) are getting funding and power to increase manufacturing. In turn, this will increase the amount of solar materials made in the US.
How other industries can join the movement
The US is determined to reduce carbon emissions significantly over the next 10 years. As such, it’s useful to look at ways businesses outside of the solar energy sector can join the movement.
Through sustainable pathways, businesses selling products across the US can help reduce their carbon footprint. One example is using recycled plastic goods, such as offering customers reusable bags instead of single-use plastic. Another option is encouraging environmental growth and diversity by switching over to seed paper for bulk items like product tags.
5 Tips to Make Your Business More Sustainable
Jun 16, 2022
Get off the starting line of the Race to Zero with these easy-to-action tips for making your business more sustainable.
Businesses are looked at with extra scrutiny when it comes to going green, as they have a greater impact on the environment than the individual. With the UN’s plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it’s a good idea to start putting an eco-friendly foot forward.
Consumers are becoming more eco-conscious about their spending choices, so it’s more important than ever to look at creating a sustainable business.
1. Reduce Energy Consumption
One of the easiest ways to make your business more sustainable is to look at the way you use energy. It’s no secret that utilities can get out of hand in a bustling office or store, but there are some simple actions your team can implement to help with this.
Turn off computers at the end of the day
Use sensors to activate lights (or just make sure you switch them off when nobody’s around!)
Switch to LED lightbulbs
Use smart thermostats
Insulate your property
Small changes can have a big impact in the workplace if everybody’s on board. Try having a team meeting to discuss what you could all do better!
2. Reduce Waste
Looking at your processes can help identify areas of unnecessary waste. Are you using paper for things that could be done digitally? Do your colleagues frequently scribble on fresh memos? Easy actions such as encouraging your employees to bring packed lunches, or changing print settings to ‘double-sided’, can make a world of difference in reducing waste in the workplace.
3. Recycle
Placing easy-to-use dry recycling bins in your workplace can help reduce the amount you’re sending to landfill each week. If you’re unable to reduce paper or plastic waste, this is a great way to compensate.
4. Sustainable Packaging
Switching over to eco-friendly packaging is another way to reduce waste and help your consumers make good choices. Eco-conscious shoppers aren't very pleased when their order arrives in meters of single-use plastic, so it's important to look for alternatives.
If you use paper in your packaging (perhaps for custom notes to thank your buyers), try looking at seed paper as a sustainable alternative. Seed paper is made from recycled materials, designed to be planted and grown into flowers! Customers will be grateful for the effort and the extra gift.
Some inventive methods of packaging products have been coming to market recently. Try switching out the polystyrene and packing peanuts for crinkle-cut paper filling, padded paper liners, eco-friendly cooler bags, or even wool!
5. Use Reusable Bags
You’ve probably spotted shoppers walking around grocery stores with reusable totes. Offer reusable bags at the checkout of your store to give customers the sustainable option and allow them to ditch the single-use plastic.
Ordering custom reusable shopping bags with your company’s logo on can ...
Sustainability in the Wine Industry
Jun 14, 2022
In recent years, we’ve seen a shift toward sustainability in the wine industry. Eco-friendly farming practices have gained popularity, and there's been a growth in the sales of organic or biodynamic wines from this.
We’ve come a long way from the humble beginnings of the wine industry and vineyards haven’t managed to avoid being swept up in the expansion of intensive farming.
How does intensive farming impact the environment?
The industrial revolution gave us tools to farm the land on a scale previously unseen in human history. Intensive farming grew rapidly. With little care for sustainability of the earth, it kept expenses low, hiked profits, and helped meet increasing consumer demand. This has reduced biodiversity across the globe, and is causing potentially irreparable degradation of our soil.
The wine industry widely employs harmful chemicals such as pesticides to maximize harvests. Such chemicals affect not only the crop, but also negatively impact the ecosystem through contamination of water supplies and soil. These pesticides, fungicides and herbicides are also toxic to insects, birds and fish, as well as having links to human health issues such as cancer.
With this in mind, it’s safe to say that using less chemicals is better for both people and the environment.
What is wine sustainability?
To identify which wine companies are shifting toward sustainable practices, we need to understand the terms used in their branding.
Organic wine
This means no chemicals are used in the growing process (e.g. pesticides, fungicides, or chemical fertilizers).
Biodynamic wine
This wine is not only organic, but shows the vineyard is more caring toward the wider ecosystem. They use sustainable farming practices where soil treatment and water/energy conservation are concerned.
There is more to wine sustainability than just ensuring the farming practices are eco-friendly. This includes every part of the process, including:
Growing and making the wineBeing socially responsible toward neighboring communitiesProviding fair treatment and pay to employeesUsing sustainable packaging
Employing sustainable wine practices means the industry can continue to thrive for generations to come, whilst still producing wine on a large scale. It also helps preserve the identity of the wine, reconnecting the industry with the roots of this labor of love.
Carrying sustainability through to the point of purchase and beyond
Taking a holistic approach to wine sustainability means responsible practices need to be in place all the way to the point of purchase. Companies can do this through seeking sustainable options for materials used at the consumer-facing end of the process.
Wine brands employing sustainable practices will see their expenses increased. Companies can help reduce overall costs through ordering wholesale eco-friendly reusable wine bags. If looked after correctly, reusable wine bags will last for years. This ...
Seed paper promotion and how it can boost your business
May 25, 2022
Seed paper has become very popular in the past few years. It is being used to create products such as envelopes, wrapping papers, and notecards among other things. People, including businesses, are enthusiastically using seed paper promotion products now and then.
Seed paper is a great option because –
Seed paper is made from recycled paper, hence, helps to reduce paper waste. It is embedded with seeds that can bloom into beautiful plants. The seed paper is fully compostable so that no waste is added to the environment.
Seed paper is an exciting gift or promotional product to receive as it makes people excited to plant it and see it bloom into a beautiful plant. That is why you can use seed paper promotion as a tool to connect with your audiences and grow your business.
Here’s why seed paper promotion is a great choice for your business
Apart from being an eco-friendly and sustainable choice, seed paper promotion can also help your business in more ways than one. It can help generate brand awareness and boost your business growth.
Here’s why it’s a great option to choose –
Everyone wants to go green
Almost everyone wants to recycle, adopt green habits and play some part in making the world a better place to live in. By sending your customers or investors seed paper promotion products like bookmarks, you will instantly connect with them.
It helps to show what your brand stands for
Every other brand is sharing their love for the planet or posting stats after stats on their social media pages. However, by actually sending something eco-friendly, sustainable, and meaningful to your customers, you can, without using any words, tell them what your brand stands for.
It will instantly make people happy
Seed paper is a great thing to receive. It is a much better alternative to the usually recycled paper as well because it makes people excited about the prospect of growing a plant using the paper. The surprise element of not knowing which seeds are embedded in the paper and what plant will grow out of the paper makes it all the more exciting.
Helps to start a conversation (and, tell a story)
If sustainability is at the heart of your business, you can use seed paper promotion products like business cards to start a conversation. You can then use the opportunity to tell your story.
For example, get business cards printed on seed paper and add a small QR code that directs people to know more about your brand and its love for the planet.
Choose from a wide range of seed paper products
At Custom Earth Promos, we offer high-quality seed paper promotion products to choose from. You can find note cards, bookmarks, invitation cards, and much more. Connect with us to get a custom quote or to browse our ever-growing collection of similar sustainable products.
The Plastic Problem – and why you should be worried?
Apr 25, 2022
Environmental degradation is something everyone is talking about nowadays; and, rightly so. The rate at which the environment and our natural resources are depleting is alarming, to say the least.
And, the accumulation of plastic waste is at the heart of it all.
Did you know that only about 9% of the plastic ever made has been recycled to date? Imagine all of that enormous amount of plastic floating around in our oceans, filling up landfills and causing irreparable damage to our planet.
Plastic pollution is a big problem and everyone, including you, should be concerned about it.
Here are some facts that will make you sit up and take notice
Awareness regarding plastic consumption and its ill effects on the environment has increased across the world. One might think that it would have successfully persuaded people to shift to eco-friendly options such as using reusable bags or making smart lifestyle choices.
However, that is far from the truth.
In fact, despite several countries banning plastic use and production (especially, single-use plastics), studies indicate that overall plastic production has doubled in just 50 years. Leading players in the industry further plan to increase production by 33% over the next five years.
UNEP estimates that about 300 tonnes of plastic are produced every year. Here are some other similarly alarming facts such as –
Around 2 million plastic bags are used every minute all over the globeEvery minute a truck full of plastic is dumped into our oceans1 million plastic bottles are sold every single minuteBy 2050, plastic could outnumber the fishes in the oceanA person eats about 70,000 microplastics every year
Why should you be concerned?
Well, plastic pollution is causing irreparable damage to our environment, and the planet in general. You should be concerned because it is polluting the soil, and oceans and also releasing toxins in the air that you breathe. It is killing precious animal life on the land and choking the marine life to death.
It is not just the environment that is suffering. Plastic is also affecting human health. The microplastics that we ingest every day are known to cause oxidative stress, increase toxicity levels and, even, cause inflammation in the body leading to serious diseases like cancer and cardiac problems.
Here’s what you can do
It is high time that every person identifies the need of reducing plastic consumption, switching to eco-friendly options, and proactively choosing products that leave a positive impact on the planet. Here are a few ways in which you can help –
Don’t use plastic bags, instead switch to eco-friendly, reusable shopping bags.Buy products that are made using environmentally friendly materials and practices.Don’t buy plastic water bottles, use a reusable bottle such as stainless steel bottle.When hosting parties or events, choose eco-friendly products like eco-friendly straws. Encourage your family ...
Here's why you should switch to eco shopping bags
Apr 19, 2022
Eco-friendly products are on the rise as more and more people are getting aware of climate change, excess plastic waste, and other elements that are causing irreparable damage to our dear planet. People are worried about their future and the future of the generations to come.Even businesses are actively recognizing the need to align with eco-friendly practices. One of the highly-adopted practices is to reduce the use of plastic bags and try to switch entirely to reusable shopping bags or eco shopping bags.Here’s why you must switch to eco shopping bagsAn increasing number of businesses are making the shift to eco shopping bags or reusable shopping bags. If you have still not made the switch, here are 5 points that might compel you to do so –1. Helps to decrease plastic wasteIt is estimated that people in the US alone use about 100 billion plastic bags a year. Even a simple switch to a reusable bag or an eco shopping bag can make a huge difference. Your business can help in eliminating plastic waste or at least reduce it to a great extent. There are many options that you can consider including promotional tote bags or customized shopping bags as well.2. Saves a significant amount of moneyYou can save a lot of money by switching to greener options including choosing an eco shopping bag instead of the regular plastic one. The bag can be reused and also helps to save the money that you would otherwise need to spend on recycling. It can also be used to up-sell to a customer or can be offered as an additional utility item at the point of sale.3. Helps to create branding opportunitiesShopping bags also offer ample branding opportunities. You can create customized shopping bags using your logo, branding, and design elements. The bag can act as an extension of your brand. If you are hosting an event for customers, vendors or investors then you can even consider adding logos and branding elements of sponsors of such events.4. Enables you to avail a wide variety of benefitsThe government also offers a wide variety of benefits to businesses that are actively involved in reducing plastic waste and working towards environment-friendly initiatives. Such businesses can avail of tax credits and tax breaks as well which allows you to enjoy more free cash flow that can be pumped back into your business.
5. Helps to create a loyal customer baseAlmost every other person is concerned about the planet and their carbon footprint. People are actively adopting practices that allow them to reduce their carbon footprint and do something good for the planet. By offering them eco shopping bags or other eco-friendly products, you essentially send the message that you and your business care deeply about the planet. It will help to create a loyal customer base that will have your back at all times.
Top 3 Invitation Card Ideas for Your Next Event
Mar 18, 2022
Businesses need to host a wide variety of events now and then. It might be a big exhibition or a small showcase of your products or an event for your investors. One of the crucial things at such events which often gets overlooked is the invitation card.
An invitation card says a lot about your event and, even, about your brand as a whole.
It is the first thing that a customer or partner or investor will see. It is important to make a good first impression on such people and making a unique, aesthetically pleasing invite will help you create a powerful impression.
Let us look at some great invitation card ideas for your next big event.
Top 3 Ideas to Design an Invitation Card
If you are planning an event somewhere in the future, check out these top 3 ideas to design an invitation card that will attract and intrigue the reader –
Invitation card on a seed paper
Consider creating a stunning invitation and printing it on a seed paper. You can find a wide variety of seed papers that can be later grown into a plant or a tree. It is a wonderful way of showing people that you deeply care about the environment and want to leave as low an impact as possible with your event.
Digital (video or graphic) invitation card
A lot of people (and, brands) have started making digital invites these days, especially, since the start of the COVID pandemic. It is an interesting way of capturing viewer attention and often works better than a physical invitation card. You also have the freedom to play around with different elements such as video, audio, and graphics to create the design you want.
Personalized invitation hamper
If you are inviting some important people to your next event, you can create a small, personalized hamper for them and send it along with or without a traditional invitation card. It shows that you value the person and have put in extra effort to invite them. The hamper can include unique gifts like a plant-based coffee mug or promotional tote bags.
Add eco-friendly elements to spread the message of sustainability
Here’s another thing you can do with the invite – you can use the invitation card to communicate your vision, mission, and organizational values with the attendees.
For example, if you or your brand stand for sustainability then this is the best opportunity to showcase your interest. Add eco-friendly elements such as customized reusable tote bags or other promotional items that are environmentally friendly. It will help strengthen your image as a brand that cares for the planet and people, alike.
Why all businesses should adopt sustainable practices?
Mar 17, 2022
Businesses across industries are adopting eco-friendly practices. They are getting concerned about metrics such as carbon footprint and are trying their best to ensure that their operations leave the lowest possible impact on the planet.
Going green has a wide variety of benefits for all kinds of businesses. Whether you are running a small business or managing an enterprise, adopting sustainable, eco-friendly practices can help you in multiple ways, such as –
Reduce business costs
The cost of creating a sustainable, eco-friendly environment is a big expense for most businesses, however, in the long run, it is known to reduce costs significantly. It can help you save a lot of money in the future. Also, the federal government offers a lot of benefits in the form of tax credits and rebates which can help to reduce the cost further.
Create a Competitive Advantage
Most industries, today, are highly competitive, however, by adopting and promoting green practices you can help to position your business uniquely. It can help you create a competitive advantage for yourself which will benefit you in the long run.
Increase revenue (and, profit)
A significant cost reduction will also show an effect on your margins and as a result, increase your profit as well. Revenue also witnesses an increase as people gravitate towards green, eco-friendly products that reduce the impact on the environment.
Improve your reputation
Today people are worried about the impact of their actions on the environment and are increasingly looking to adopt brands and practices that will help to cut down their impact. By promoting green practices and offering eco-friendly products, you can improve your reputation and stand apart from your competition.
Create a strong, loyal community of supporters
Brands that support environmental causes and offer eco-friendly products are often successful in creating strong, loyal communities. These communities help to spread brand awareness and increase growth prospects.
Spread the message of sustainability
You can use innovative ways to spread the message of sustainability and let your customers (and, partners) know that you stand for environmental causes, such as –
Give eco-friendly and reusable bags at all brick and mortar stores Choose eco-friendly gifts for investors and partners Opt for eco-friendly products (such as plant-based coffee mugs) at events you host Make business cards out of seed paper or recycled paper Print invitations for events on eco-friendly material
These are just some of the ways how you can let people know that you care about the planet and want to help create a better future. It will help you gain a wide variety of benefits, both monetary and non-monetary, in nature.
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