Promotional Items Take Toll on the Environment

 Agree!  Most of us (myself included) already have too much stuff, and those of us who realize the problem with over-consumption need to be the ones to put the brakes on.  Yes, libraries should replace "stuff" with "experiences" as much as possible, and focus on sustainable products that support the community when physical gift items seem appropriate.  

I think sturdy cloth bags are the best choice from the list of popular promotional items mentioned; I have two from my local library at least a dozen others picked up at garage sales and thrift shops, and I use them all the time.  They have saved me from using thousands of plastic and paper bags in stores and are also useful for carrying picnic lunches, bringing along my children’s cloth diapers and extra clothes on day trips, presenting gifts to friends, and, of course, toting library books.  I pick up new (to me) ones whenever I see them.

Have promotional items manufactured locally.  This will not only save on transportation costs (and pollution) but will put money back into the community and, even more importantly, build relationships within the community.

Here are a few ideas for promotional items and experiences that would build community and be kind to the environment at the same time:

• Host an organic farmers’ and gardeners’ market at the library.  Have the farmers donate items for door prizes instead of paying a fee to set up a stall.
• Host an arts fest at the library.  Same idea.
• Ask a local publisher to publish the winning entry in a library book-writing competition (this could work for children and adults).  Or put together an anthology of locally-written poetry, community history, or recipes, and have it printed locally.  This would be much more meaningful to people in the community than the standard promotional items, potentially for generations.
• Give away weeded and donated books (and other materials).
• Give away donated cloth bags instead of manufacturing new ones.
• Have local children (or adults) make interesting bookmarks out of paint chips, feathers, autumn leaves, and other found materials.
• Offer a free healthful meal (with purchased from or donated by local organic farmers) as part of a library tour, children’s event, or cooking class.
• Ask your patrons to come up with their own ideas!

Is there any way to be truly green?  The real problem is over-consumption.  There is a real environmental cost to everything; it’s easy to ignore when you’re browsing on line or traipsing through the store.  Considering the effort required to place something, anything, before you, nothing is "green."  Live as you see fit.  Natural selection will sort us out eventually anyway. 

Reader comments: “How many petrochemicals go into making synthetic fibers?  Wouldn’t manufacturing a nylon shirt be just as harmful to the environment as manufacturing a cotton one?” 

I don’t have the answer today but am certainly up for researching it.  Thanks for taking the time to comment.  I’ll let you know what I find out in a future post. 

Seems as if there is sufficient interest in this topic, too, for a future post or two.  Next week, I’ll focus on where to find more eco-friendly alternatives and dip into the branding issue.

Keep the comments coming.  They are always appreciated!

Laura

Laura makes some good points, but I would find them more helpful if she offered alternatives.  As I request of my staff, "Don’t bring me problems, bring solutions."   Can anyone suggest some "experiences" to provide as promotions?  How does this concept of not giving out promotional items square with the idea of branding?  I’d like to see this idea developed more fully.

 Wow. Downer. So the fact that I have T-shirts that are 20 years old give me any cap and trade buy-in ?

Now I can’t throw any of them away — even my two new Manny shirts. My wife bought one then I did, so then that meant I had Two Manny shirts. (say it out loud)

The author  makes some good points, but the superior tone of the article was rather off-putting.  I learned after my first library conference to be judicious when picking up promotional items.  I ended up with too much stuff to take home and put half of it in the recycle bin. Now, I only pick up items that I know I will use or that have information I need.  

BTW - I love my cotton t-shirts - I wear them with pride at volunteer events if they fit or sleep in the really big ones.   How many petrochemicals go into making synthetic fibers?  Wouldn’t manufacturing a nylon shirt be just as harmful to the environment as manufacturing a cotton one?