PERSPECTIVES FROM HANDMADE EXPRESSIONS

Greening Your Wholesale Business

WHY Sustainability Matters

It’s good for the environment

Brand differentiationCustomer trustEmployee engagementFinancial stabilityResource security

HOW to Implement Green Strategies

Business ProcessesUS OperationsInternational

LogisticsSales and MarketingProduct DevelopmentArtisan Engagement

Process

Strategy

Eco Impact

Cost

Benefit

Annual Planning

Prioritize and choose 2 or 3

High impact, low investment, high benefit

REDUCE | REUSE | RECYCLE

US Operations

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Office Energy Change your lighting: CFLs or LEDs, utilize sunlight Power down: computers and electronics at end of day Be seasonal: set temperature controls, casual office

dress code Green purchasing: Energy Star appliances Renewable energy: self-financed or city programs

Handmade Expressions joined Austin Energy’s Green Choice program – 100% of our energy cost supports wind energy in TX

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Waste Recycle and compost in office Double-sided printing Kitchenware – dishes, cutlery, mugs Hand towels in kitchen and restrooms Green purchasing:

Recycled-content paper Refillable pens Second-hand furniture and equipment

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Warehouse Handmade Expressions embraces recycled packaging

We reuse boxes in 50% of shipments to customers Use papers, advertisements, and other materials for

packaging Partner with neighbors to get clean boxes This also results in huge cost savings

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Warehouse Important to communicate your efforts

Use recycling to elevate your brand and showcase your commitment to environmental stewardship

Can increase customer engagement, trust, and loyalty

Emissions

Domestic Shipping Huge but inevitable

impact – think about carbon offsetting

Handmade Expressions participates in UPS’s carbon neutral program

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Office Commuting Engage employees to

carpool, bike, or take public transport

PRODUCTION PLANNING

International Logistics

Production Planning

As fair trade wholesalers, international shipping is again an inevitable part of our business

Default ship by sea or ground transport Minimize air shipping, particularly for heavy and

bulky items

HOW to minimize this impact…?

Production Planning

2012 Goal: Reduce Air Shipping Volume by 20%

2012 Results: 41% Reduction!

ECO -FRIENDLY COMMUNICATIONS

Sales and Marketing

Eco-Friendly Communications

Printed materials Use FSC certified, recycled content paper and soy or

vegetable-based inks About 15% more expensive But adds long-term value if you add recycled symbols or

messages

Divert to electronic communications where possible

Eco-Friendly Communications

Handmade Expressions example: Decided this year to

launch only 1 catalog per year moving forward Quarterly electronic

launches More efficient

marketing resources Reduces costs from

photography, print, and mail

Eco-Friendly Communications

Business Travel First, is travel necessary or can you employ new

technologies? Go To Meeting, Webinars, Skype all can enhance

outreach or training in a green and affordable way

Flights: direct, environmentally friendly airlines Lodging: stay within walking distance of destination,

choose hotels that have green practices

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

Product Development

Sustainable Products

Product Packaging How to avoid poly bags?

Very harmful for the environment – plastic made from oil, cannot be recycled

Sustainable Products

Product Packaging: Think outside the bag! Handmade Expressions example: Upcycled Sari Bags

Sustainable Products

Green materials: Recycled/Upcycled Organic Responsibly sourced Natural Dyes

Divert from landfills

These are demanded by consumers and give you marketing value if communicated

Sustainable Products

Handmade Expressions example:

Materials In 2012, developed Preferred

and Restricted Materials lists Based off eco factors of

renewability, water use, energy use, toxicity, and disposal options

Our challenges: Artisans have access to few

materials We work with a vast array of

products and categories

GREEN PRODUCTION

Artisan Engagement

Green Production

As fair trade wholesalers, we are in a unique position of direct partnership with artisans and farmers

During producer visits, ask questions such as: Are harsh chemicals used in any processes? Where are dyes and effluents drained? Are scarce resources required in production? Is there potential for dust or smoke inhalation?

Partner with NGOs on environmental development projects

Green Production

Handmade Expressions example: Water Conservation in Barmer

Partnered with local NGO to develop and install custom water filtration system for block printing community

This will save over 5 million liters of water per year!

Conclusion

HOW TO IMPLEMENT GREEN STRATEGIES

1. Keep it simple List your areas of impact and

prioritize Focus on just 2 or 3 projects

2. Engage your team Use their passion as an asset Challenge them to set goals and

celebrate achievements

3. Communicate to your customers Delivers long-term brand value Generates trust and excitement

for your brand