MARKETING & COMMUNICATION

mrketing

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The Issue

Even though we are currently living in the 21st century where technologies are more advanced and used everywhere, paper usage is still visible. For example, newspapers and notebooks.

And most of these papers would end up in our landfills creating a staggering amount of paper waste. According to National Environment Agency (NEA, n.d.), their waste statistics shows that out of the total amount of waste generated, 13.98% comes from paper and cardboard.

This has been the case as sometimes printed marketing materials such as posters, flyers, newsletters and programme schedules are still being used at the events. But, do you know that all these are affecting the environment?

So how does it harm the environment?

When we talk about printed marketing materials, it involves 2 types of things - Paper and Printing Ink.

Paper

Let’s first talk about papers.

As we all know, papers are made from trees. And as we increase the paper usage, more trees will be cut down to produce more papers. And when more trees are being cut down, it may result in deforestation.

Do you know that?

To produce paper, it takes twice the energy used to produce a plastic bag (The World Counts, n.d.).

Chemical involved in Manufacturing Process

Furthermore, during the production of papers, chemicals such as the chlorine-based bleaches are used during the process (The World Counts, n.d.). This results in toxic materials being released into our water, air and soil. So when the paper rots, it emits methane gas which is 25 times more toxic than CO2 (The World Counts, n.d.).

Printing Ink

Next, let’s talk about the ink on the paper.

Other than paper, the printer ink that we normally use(that is not eco-friendly) also harms the environment. This is often overlooked because while we want to print something, we tend to only think that “If i am reusing the used papers i am being environmentally friendly”. But that is not just the case.

Do you know that?

More than three quarts (2.8 litres) of oil is being consumed when producing a new laser cartridge. And as for inkjet cartridges, about three ounces (88.7 millimetres) of oil are required to produce the ink.

On top of that, our ink does not just come in a fluid form. It comes with its tank and cartridges. And according to our research, more than 375 million empty ink and toner cartridges are thrown out every year, and most of them end up in landfills(Gorman, n.d.).

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Isn’t it shocking to see the impact in just printing of marketing materials?

OMG

But, we have come up with Sustainable Solutions for you ! Scroll down to see :)

Our Sustainable Solutions

To make your event sustainable it is also not a bad thing for you.

It allows you to save cost
It allows you to help NP promote a green image
It allows you to make NP known to be a digital school
Most importantly, it makes you feel good about yourself for helping both the environment and NP

We have come up with several environmentally friendly solutions for you to promote your event. And here are a few things you can do:

Digitalise Marketing Methods

Instead of having physical marketing collaterals,

Use of various social media platforms (e.g Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) to promote your event
- This allows you to easily reach out to a wide variety of audience in a cost-efficient way

Make use of the digital boards in our schools to promote your event
- The picture below shows the digital boards that we are referring to.

Digitalise Communication Methods (camp manuals for GLs)

Instead of printing camp manuals for the GLs,

Make the camp manuals into electronic for
- This prevents you from printing, which helps to save cost and go environmentally friendly
- This allows easily saved and retrieved
- This allows you to communicate with the GLs faster

Reminding participants to be environmentally friendly

It is important to let your participants know that your event is a green event. This will allow them to cooperate with you to make it possible.

Get the emcees/student leaders to share during the event
Include it in the invitations/email you are sending to your participants

Broadcast reminders to throw their washed recyclables at events

This method is used to highlight that your event is green. When the broadcast keeps playing or repeating, people will tend to remember what they should do.

Similar to the “Returning of trays” and “Go cashless” broadcast in school

List of environmentally friendly printing companies

If paper usage is still necessary, we have helped you search for a list of companies that provide environmentally friendly printing service.

Please refer to Annex I for the list.

Sources of recycled paper

If you are printing yourselves, we have helped you to look for sources that provide recycled paper.

Please refer to Annex J for the list

Having a section in the official NP’s website to highlight the school’s sustainable efforts

If possible, persuade the school to allow you to have a section in the official NP’s website to highlight the school’s sustainable efforts.
- This helps the school to be recognized as a green campus by others, outside of NP.