Green Eggs andFive Steps to A Greener Fulfillment Program by Jeremy Suratt

If you've ever celebrated St. Patrick's Day or read Dr. Seuss, you know that it's possible to turn almost anything green. Beer. Bagels. Eggs. Ham. Fulfillment.

Okay, perhaps I'm taking some license with that last one. But turning your Fulfillment program a deeper shade of green can set you on the path to solid environmental stewardship and support your sustainable, eco-friendly marketing efforts. Here's how to get started.

Sender Ignored: A Prime Green Opportunity

You probably know that our landfills are overflowing. But do you also know that direct mail contributes to quite a bit of that waste? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that Americans receive more than 4 million tons of unsolicited mail each year, 44 percent of which ends up unopened and unread in landfills.

How can we attack this problem head on? For starters, let's get down to the serious work of implementing environmentally focused print and fulfillment strategies. Consider these steps:

Step 1: Carefully analyze and assess your fulfillment programs and printed materials. By optimizing communications-in some cases cutting the overall volume by 30 percent-you'll pare printing and transportation costs, as well storage and insurance costs.

Step 2: Introduce process efficiencies. Digital print-on-demand services let you order deliverables in small quantities on an as-needed basis. The result of this stewardship: A significant reduction in the amount of material used, as well as inventory and storage costs.

Step 3: Ensure the reliability of your deliveries. Weeding out inaccurate or incomplete addresses will help you deliver to the right person the first time around, save media and reduce transportation-related energy costs.

Step 4: Target information to reduce print volume and meet your recipients' information needs. The mass distribution of generic material can drive up your print volume (and costs) and add to landfill overcrowding.

Step 5: Reduce or eliminate polystyrenes, and use recycled, biodegradable paper for digital printing. Additionally, be sure to recycle any paper and other materials you use in your program.

These straightforward steps can turn your fulfillment program a deeper shade of green. Also consider enlisting the expertise of a partner that shares or exceeds your green goals-one with experience in implementing sustainable strategies. Your partner should also be using eco-friendly material such as recycled papers and packing containers, as well as vegetable-based inks.

No, these steps won't turn your fulfillment program into the stuff of a whimsical children's book. However, they can help you achieve your earth-friendly marketing and sustainability goals, 365 days a year.

Do you have questions about fulfillment service? Read additional Knowledge Center stories on this subject, or contact Iron Mountain's Fulfillment Services team. You'll be connected with a knowledgeable product and services specialist who can address your specific challenges.

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2014/service-lines/marketing-production-...
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