Several university offices are implementing sustainable practices such as going paperless, purchasing green supplies or reducing electricity consumption by turning off lights and computers at the end of the day. It’s a responsible way of doing business. Can on-campus marketing, including publications and posters, be green too?
Yes. The St. Edward’s University Marketing Office has implemented practices to help green the campus.
One in particular is paper choice. Marketing chose Mohawk paper for all of its major projects because it’s a great looking paper and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. The FSC is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable way.
Almost every sheet of paper used by the Marketing Office is made from 100% post-consumer recycled waste. In 2010, Marketing used 462,870 sheets for its major publications. All were made carbon neutral and using wind power.
Using these methods to produce the paper:
- 622 trees were preserved for the future
- 1,796 water-borne waste was not created
- 26,4262 gallons of wastewater flow was saved
- 29,239 lbs of solid waste was not generated
- 57,570 lbs net of greenhouse gases were prevented
- 440,652,240 BTUs of energy were not consumed
And because the paper was manufactured with wind power and carbon offsets:
- 71,282 lbs greenhouse gas emissions were not generated
- 76 barrels of fuel oil went unused
Doing so is equivalent to taking 6 cars off the road for one year and planting 4,849 trees.
Not only paper
The Marketing Office also now prints large-format posters and banners on materials that use PCW and/or are recyclable. The cost difference is minimal, print quality and durability is not sacrificed and the university’s single-stream recycling handles these materials.
The Marketing Office is also working with campus offices to create e-mail campaigns, social media presence, and online content to supplement and/or replace paper marketing pieces. Not only is it smart integrated marketing, it’s green marketing as well.