We are proud to announce that Mark Harrell and his company, Bad Axe Tool Works, is the first 2010 recipient of the highly coveted Globe Guard Eco-Consistency Award. The fact is that they have been on our green radar screen for some time — ever since we highlighted their very sustainable packaging in an ISP post last June.

Even at that time, we knew Mark and Bad Axe were special. However, we had no idea just how committed they were to walking the eco-walk until we saw their new and improved Web site and a surprising addition they chose to make.

The Globe Guard Eco-Consistency Award Cannot Be Bought

Please note that most Globe Guard Eco Consistency Award winners are not customers. In fact, the only two recipients during all of 2009 were not customers at all: They were Home Depot for their plastic flower pot recycling program and Unilever for their club store Axe Deodorant three-pack.

There are so many companies that fall short in terms of eco-consistency that we feel obligated to point out the ones that do try harder and are successful.

When the Packaging Application Gets Tough, the Tough Turn to Globe Guard

Mark Harrell makes best-of-class cutting tools so sharp edges are a desired end result on every product, not just an occasional packaging problem. At the same time, Mark also understands that his customers care about the environment and expect their suppliers to respect eco-friendly solutions in everything they do. This philosophy, combined with a tremendous personal commitment and belief, is why Mark works so hard to make sure his packaging is effective and as green as possible.

Green and Proud of It

We were blown away when we saw the “About my green packaging” page on his new and improved Web site. After all, we have a lot of great customers who are eco-consistent all the way through their secondary packaging, but none (that we know of) devote a page to it on their Web site. Please note that we are only one of three vendors Mark utilizes to get the job done in a very green way.

During a round table discussion at a sustainability conference I attended last week, a few people mentioned that sometimes companies are reluctant to bring too much attention to their sustainability initiatives. The reasons cited included the possibility of raising unrealistic expectations, inviting criticism, starting something that can’t possibly finish, etc. That is part of the reason we love companies like Bad Axe Tool Works. They eagerly and enthusiastically put their green solutions on display and challenge others to follow their example.

Excellent work, Mark Harrell and Bad Axe Tool Works! Thank you for your eco-consistent green message and for the great plug for our Globe Guard products.

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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

The opportunity to get to know people and their businesses is one we truly appreciate and value. It goes far beyond social media — it is truly connecting with people on a one to one basis when they share their dreams and passion with you.

One who freely shares is Linda Stein, the founder of Zosimos Botanicals. We clicked while working on a recent custom-printed shipping box project, and I am very pleased to be able to share her story with ISP readers.

ISP Readers: Linda has graciously offered us a discount code on her site www.zosimosbotanicals.com. Use promo code GLOBEGUARD for a 15% discount on your purchase.

DS: Linda, we have to begin with your company name. Can you please tell us how you decided on Zosimos and give us your “elevator speech” on what your company does.

LS: First of all, thank you for taking an interest in my company, Dennis. Zosimos refers to a third century alchemist, Zosimos of Panoplis. Because most people have never heard of him, they only think of us when hearing or seeing the Zosimos name. It’s a strong trademark, which helps build brand recognition since there are no competing associations to overcome.

Basically, we make healthy cosmetics by hand. We use only natural or certified organic ingredients like essential oils, floral waters, natural waxes and nut butters. Part of our mission is educating people on the ability to create effective products without harsh chemicals.

The studio is environmentally conscious, right down to the last detail. It matters to me that the shipping envelopes are 100% recycled content and that our boxes are Globe Guard 100% post-consumer waste content.

Plus, there are social responsibility projects we are involved in throughout the year.

DS: Your personal story is a fascinating one because I know you were a practicing Trademark attorney when you became interested in personal care products. Tell us a little about your background and what drove you to become a “green entrepreneur.” (more…)

People involved in the green movement love to demonize things and let’s face it, in many cases it is so darn easy. Favorite targets are packaging, plastic water bottles, vehicles like SUV’s, and even companies such as Nestlé’s, and Wal-Mart. And of course, the product everyone loves to hate, plastic bags.

We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us

I may be paraphrasing that famous quote but I think you understand my point. I have always claimed, even in mixed green audiences, that only a small part of the problem is the plastic bag. The real problem is what we all choose to do or not do with the plastic bags when we are done with them.

We live and work in southwest suburban Chicago which has become an unusual mix of farm fields and retail and industrial development. Around the corner from us is the first sign of civilization, a McDonald’s and across the street is another sure indicator of suburban sprawl, a Wal-Mart store.

However in all directions, there are also farm fields that in a few months will be filled with corn, soy beans and other crops but for now they are littered with garbage. Most of that litter is plastic bags that were carelessly thrown out of car windows or improperly discarded in one of the many retail store parking lots in the immediate area. It is a terrible shame because the eyesore and waste could have been so easily avoided.

My Green Brother Is My Green Keeper

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Last Sunday I had the opportunity to make a presentation and attend the International Housewares Show. It is a great event held annually at Chicago’s lake front McCormick Place and one I don’t miss because of the new products that are usually launched at this industry showcase.

This was my third consecutive year at this show and in terms of packaging sustainability I would have to admit that the Housewares industry has been a little slow to jump on the green bandwagon. I even wrote an article about it for Sustainable Is Good in 2008 that commented on the very mixed reaction the Housewares industry had to sustainability.

I am very pleased to report that two years later they “get it”. I was thrilled to see countless booths showing eco friendly and green products and for the most part, much of the packaging was “eco-consistent” with the products they are making and marketing. I was truly pleased to see how much progress was made in a short two year period.

Back to the greatest myth

However, there is one area where many of the people still lag behind and that is in the realization that green packaging does not necessarily have to cost more.

In numerous conversations I had with people who appeared to have a sincere interest in making their packaging more eco friendly, they commented on the “high cost of green packaging”. In fact many of the inaccurate perceptions and outdated perceptions I have dealt with in the past are alive and kicking in this segment of the market. They include -

• You can’t find green packaging products
• The minimums are too high
• The quality isn’t there yet
• And of course, the greatest myth of all – green packaging costs too much

Forward to the sustainable packaging truth

We have spent the last three years of our lives exposing and destroying these myths by making eco friendly packaging products available and affordable. The minimums are truly minimal and we guarantee our quality to be second to none. (more…)

During a recent interview I was asked what I thought was the most valuable feature of our new patent pending Globe Guard Reusable Box. After I thought about it for a moment, I quickly replied that because it can be turned inside out, it has the unique ability to convey two completely different “looks”. Not so much from an appearance standpoint (used versus new) but from a functional perspective as well.

Intra Company Shipments and Labels

The more we speak with people about their intra company shipping, the more we realize the importance of distinct and obvious labeling. When a product ships from one facility to another, it frequently requires identification or designation as having changed because it was machined, finished, tested or simply transferred. That is usually accomplished with an oversized label.

The world of adhesive labels is a mile wide with a wide variety of stock and adhesives, but it is not uncommon for a 8” wide X 6” high label to cost $.20 to $.30 depending on type and of course quantity. That price can rise significantly if the label is custom printed with artwork or colors. It is also not unusual for even larger and more expensive labels than 8” X 6” to be used on oversized boxes because most often the label is being used to cover up previous labels and old/outdated information.

Revealing the “Inner Box”

At minimal additional cost, a Globe Guard Reusable Box can be custom printed on the inside as well as the outside. Ship-to, product code, status and other variable, changed information can be clearly and consistently communicated. It can be spot printed or even flood printed in a completely different color to make it stand out in an inventory or sorting scenario. (more…)

First let me say I love Kohl’s retail stores. If you are looking for almost any brand name product ranging from clothing and bedding to luggage and small kitchen appliances, Kohls’ makes it difficult to pay “full retail price” with their never ending sales and promotions. They are terrific but when they stretch the green truth, I feel a strong obligation to call them out on it.

The Ready to Reuse Shopping Bag

At first glance it looked like a great idea. A reusable shopping bag that thanks to a unique design and a well placed snap, neatly folds up into a compact little package. I am sure we all mostly agree the use of reusable shopping bags is probably a good idea so anything that will make them easier to carry and use can only be a plus. Add some green graphics, some cool green buzz words and voila, you have a … plastic bag.

“The Devil Is in the Details”

Was one of my grandfather’s favorite sayings and an eternal, indisputable truth. No matter what the subject or when it is being said, the small unobvious details are often where the truth or lack of it can be found.

A close look at the small tag, I found deep inside of the bag told me so much more than the colorful bag or the outer tag so prominently displayed. The bag is 100% polypropylene, which of course is nothing more than plastic. This particular bag, like most that are used to help “save the earth”, is imported from China. I think most of our readers know how I feel about importing products like this from the other side of the world, especially when over 10% of our own population is unemployed.

Putting that carbon footprint and exporting jobs issues aside, here are some other things that are likely to go unnoticed by the average reusable bag buyer.

• There is no indication of recycled content. That is not good.
• There are no instructions for the ultimate disposal of the bag. It will eventually have to be discarded, but how?
• The tag clearly indicates it is not for use with food but can’t we assume people shop for groceries more often than they do for sox and underwear? Shouldn’t that important information be somewhere where people are more likely to see it?
• Since it is likely to be used for grocery shopping, wouldn’t it be great if it was washable? Google “reusable bag germs” and get ready to be shocked.

Am I Anti Reusable Bag? (more…)

ISP readers know I enjoy a good green story and Nick and Kimber Christensen and their company, Little Sapling Toys, is one of the best. Little Sapling Toys has been the subject of articles in numerous publications and blogs including Treehugger, Daily Candy, Etsy’s Storque and Grass Roots Modern. A brief conversation with Nicholas made me realize they would be a great interview for our blog.

DS: Please give us a little background on your family and your company.

KC: Nick and I met in the Army, traveled the country remodeling hotel bathrooms, moved to liberal Humboldt County, had little saplings of our own, started Little Sapling Toys and finally moved to friendly Boise to put down roots and develop our business.

Nick made me a few pieces of furniture that used the natural contrast of beautiful, quality wood while working as a cabinetmaker. When Little Sapling Toys was conceived, we never considered using paints, stains or dyes to cover up something so naturally striking. Now, using Maple, Cherry and Walnut together with our own beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish is our way to reconcile modern and natural beauty.

We try and live a conscientious lifestyle and that naturally translates into our business as well. As Little Sapling Toys has grown, so have our opportunities to make eco-friendly choices.

DS: I was especially impressed and intrigued by your commitment to plant a tree for every toy you sell. How does that work?

NC: We are member partners of Trees for the Future. It’s an extremely inspiring organization that is helping communities throughout the world help themselves. We participate by making a commitment to help fund their tree planting efforts around the globe.

DS: Most eco minded people love wooden toys but how did you decide to start making teething products out of wood?

KC: We saw the demand for basic wooden grasp and teething shapes and recognized that we could bring a whole new level of design to the chubby little hands of children.

DS: Please answer any safety concerns about slivers, how the wood is sealed, etc. (more…)

When we first designed this new product, we anticipated a great deal of interest from companies doing fulfillment. After all they, like most companies in business, are being asked to perform new and in many cases, unanticipated services for their customers and their customers’ customers.

Fulfillment to Correct Mistakes and Problems

Unfortunately one of the types of service required at times is what can only be referred to as “damage control”. Basically, something went wrong and someone has to fix it.

Manufacturers and marketing companies are not in the business of correcting problems so more often than not, those duties are out sourced to a fulfillment company. The problem becomes a little more severe when it is an eco friendly company that is in that position because after all, fixing a mistake typically leaves an even bigger carbon footprint behind. Add the fact that usually the high cost of recalls and similar problems are not budgeted for, and the fulfillment service company has to respond quickly, efficiently, economically and in an environmentally responsible way.

The Advantage of a Two Way, Reusable Box

Today product replacement is not enough. When there is a problem, let’s say a product recall or replacement, companies have to do product exchanges, in part to confirm the new product has been delivered but also to get the incorrect or faulty product off the street and back in their own hands. This may be for legal or PR reasons or possibly for testing, reclaim, and recovery or even to be able to file a claim against a vendor or other company involved in the problem. A box that is 100% recycled content and has the ability to make two trips can be an invaluable asset to help rectify the problem.

The Globe Guard Reusable Box Can Be a Chameleon

With our ability to print the patent-pending, Globe Guard® Reusable Box inside and out, we can easily provide a different look to help customers determine if the contents are the product being replaced or the replacement itself. Imagine printing it red on the inside so that after it is inverted and returned, it can easily be identified and processed. This is especially important if the unhappy customer is anticipating a credit or other compensation.

There are no limitations to what can be printed on the inside, so a ship to address, return code, routing number, customer account or part number, and even a bar code can be easily accommodated.

The Globe Guard Reusable Box is a unique product to help solve unique problems for companies like fulfillment service operations. Tell us about your unusual challenge and we will help you implement a solution that has a low cost for you and the environment.
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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

See our revolutionary, patent pending Globe Guard® Reusable Shipping Box!

Celebrate Our One Year Anniversary with 20 Percent Off All Items!

Almost one year ago, on March 18, 2009 we launched our new web site as the first green packaging store on the internet. With no existing customer base to rely on, we were convinced if we offered good quality eco friendly packaging products at a competitive price, most people would do the right thing for the environment. Gratefully, you have.

So for the entire month of March, with a $50 minimum order, any customer using promo code ONEYEAR will receive a 20% discount on all stock products on our e-commerce site. It is our way of saying thank you to the customers who have helped to make our dream, a reality.

How the Globe Guard Green Packaging Product Line Has Grown

What began as eight RSC shipping box sizes has developed into thirty-five sizes that include a wide assortment of cube boxes, long boxes and low profile boxes. Most of these additions were suggested by you, the customers who eagerly sought environmentally responsible packaging products.

In addition we are growing our list of corrugated specialty and die cut sizes to include book fold boxes, tuck mailers and front lock mailers. We create custom inserts, dividers and partitions for our stock product and can easily design a custom shipping box for the most unique and challenging applications.

Leaders in Eco Friendly Void Fill Products

We may have the widest variety of green inner packaging solutions on the internet to protect products during shipment. Our options include -

• Globe Guard Oxo-Biodegradable bubble packaging
• Globe Guard packaging papers in many grades and widths
• Globe Guard Eco Nest – a shredded corrugated loose fill product
• Globe Guard Eco Flex – an incredibly versatile molded pulp product
• Globe Guard inflatable air pillows

If these don’t do the job, we have other products available including custom corrugated and paperboard solutions.

A Lot More than Just the Best Eco Friendly Shipping Boxes

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Creating a High Profile in Low Profile Packaging

It’s no secret we spend considerable time developing and promoting our Globe Guard brand of sustainable, eco friendly packaging products. We realize one of the best ways we can accomplish our objectives is to continuously enhance its value to our customers by helping them get their packaging done in as environmentally responsible a way as possible.

Four New Boxes Added to the Globe Guard Green Packaging Web Store

We are pleased to announce the addition of the following to our Globe Guard 100% PCW, recycled content, box sizes.

• 8” X 6” X 6” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 9” X 5” X 5” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 14” X 12” X 6” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 20” X 14” X 4” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box

We realize not everyone needs a tall or cube box so when you add these four new sizes to the variety of sizes we already have, we are confident we can fit most products and applications with the right box for the job.

Current box sizes include: 8” X 6” X 3” tall, 9” X 8” X 4” tall, 10” X 10” X 5” tall, 12” X 9” X 4” tall, and 12” X 10” X 6” tall.

Need a Unique Eco Friendly Box for a Unique Eco Friendly Product?

Regular readers may tire of hearing this but I hope they understand we draw new readers constantly who may not have heard this before: over 50% of the boxes we sell are custom size, custom grade and/or custom printed. Unlike many internet packaging suppliers, we understand and can help customers design custom packaging for their unusually shaped or configured products. We are also experts at combining a wide variety of substrates and products to -

• Minimize cost
• Maximize recyclability
• Minimize packaging waste by weight and volume
• Maximize reusability
• Minimize the negative impact on the environment

Let us know what your toughest most difficult challenge is and we will likely help you develop a low cost, green solution.
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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

See our revolutionary, patent pending Globe Guard® Reusable Shipping Box!