Which is more important?

Are we a green-business or a business that is green? Which takes precedent; being green or being professional?


This was what we found ourselves struggling with while designing a marketing packet for prospective clients. We definitely wanted to include as much information as possible, and to maintain the professional appearance (single sided, good spacing...read: lots of trees). But does this contradict our mission and image as an earth-friendly company? When designing a multi-page informational packet; are professionalism and eco-conservation mutually exclusive? And, if they can somehow be reconciled, how much will it cost? Remember, we are a new business, so cost is always a colossal concern for us!

We spent a while brainstorming different ways to make a packet that was cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and professional-looking. There were a variety of ideas discussed. Some were a little unorthodox; for example, I at one point suggested using recycled twist-ties from the supermarket to bind the packet together (okay, maybe more than a little unorthodox). One idea was to use both sides of the paper and another suggestion was to use hemp. I half expected someone to suggest tree bark as an legitimate option.

Ultimately we found a compromise in printing on extra long recycled paper that folds to make a four page (8.5x11) packet. So maybe you can have your (environmentally-friendly) cake and eat it too.