By Mark Hougardy, Certified Interpretive Guide, email.
Park stores, nature centers and interpretive centers are the front-line for communicating about the need for a healthy planet. This 'green' messaging often includes conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. But sometimes the products sold in these front-line locations are not in context with a green message.
An under utilized resource can help - the store's vendors. Vendors can influence and even choose the activities, people and organizations that produce, transport and sell their products. What if these activities included 'green' processes: recycling, reusability, low toxicity, responsible labor practices, environmentally-friendly packaging, low impact manufacturing and the reduction of environmental hazards? Will vendors support these green processes? They will if enough of their customers (the park stores) ask.
Consider these fifteen points when communicating about the need for 'green' products:
1. Look before leaping. Before communicating a 'green' product vision to vendors you need to understand your own organization's expectations and goals for the park store. Why is your store where it is? What is the purpose of having a retail arm to your organization? What blend of product strength is needed? What is the typical dollar amount spent by customers in the store? What products will benefit the local resource? Will the products map to interpretive principles and be in context with the local resource?
2. Is everyone on board? Understand your organization's pre-existing feelings and expectations for vendors. Are the decision makers (in the product approval process) open to new items? Do they consider vendors a tool for helping your store's mission, or are they viewing vendors as money-hungry pests that want to turn your spot of nature into Park-Mart? If you do not already know, learn about what they view as a green product and what they will, and will not, approve.
3. Ask others. Ask other stores about good and bad vendors. Which vendors have a history of 'cheaping-out' on products? Do any have a history of green washing (saying they are green but really are not)? Who walks their talk? Which vendors come recommended?
4. Open the door. Ask vendors the question; "What makes your product so great?" It quickly tells you about the product and provides the vendor a short opportunity to communicate the product's benefits. If you see or hear things that can further your green messaging, the door is open to learn more. If you need to move on, let the vendor know that you are looking for more 'green' items.
5. A green strategy. Does the vendor have any strategy for incorporating green processes into products? If so, can s/he demonstrate how the processes are being implemented?
6. The product's life cycle. Learn about the life of the product. Is the product a cradle-to-cradle or cradle-to-grave product? Most products on store shelves are cradle-to-grave; this means the product is manufactured (cradle), it is used, and then at the end of its life is thrown away (grave). Ask if the product is transitioning to cradle-to-cradle; this means the product is manufactured (cradle), it is used, and then at the end of its product life undergoes a recycling process (cradle). The recycling could be biodegradable, made into an identical product or be used for another purpose. It is important to let all vendors understand this is the preferred direction.
7. A link in the chain. Understand the vendor's supply chain. The supply chain is a system of activities, people and organizations that move products from supplier to customer. Most vendors consider their work as only one link in the 'supply chain' - to sell a product to your store. Look for vendors with a broader view.
8. Closing the loop. How is the vendor working to close the loop on the supply chain? Does the vendor support furthering green education or understanding? Is the product a contributing influence or interdependent with the park location or programming?
9. Transparency. How clear, 'transparent', is the vendor about green practices? Are the goals and accomplishments posted on the vendor's website or marketing collateral?
10. Look for the 'Made In Sweatshop' label. If you do not see any transparency in the supply chain, ask some pointed questions, "Is this a sweatshop product?" and, "Where do the products come from?" These can be hard question to answer for many vendors because of the abundance of overseas suppliers and multiple middlemen that blur the supply-chain. If you do not see any transparency and the vendor cannot effectively answer these questions, be very concerned.
11. Heavy metals. Ask for information about whether the products are tested for lead and other heavy metals. Are lead (Pb) levels below the recommendations set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission? How were the products tested? What processes are in place to further reduce the presence of lead or other metals?
12. Green business. Does the vendor have any green certifications? Does the vendor work with suppliers who have received any third-party certifications or awards?
13. Other customers. Inquire about the vendors' work with other outdoor and education groups. Who are other customers? Is the vendor associated with organizations that support green principles? Do employees have any special training from these organizations? What trade shows does the vendor attend?
14. Evaluate the vendors. Evaluate a vendor's feedback and consider who can best help with greening the products in the park store. Obviously, some vendors because of size, limited resources or absolute focus on the bottom line will not view going 'green' as an option. Avoid vendors with a complete lack of will. Evaluate all vendors based on the product needs and goals of your organization. Nurture the vendor relationships that are on a green track.
15. Green means Green ($$). Most vendors understand that working toward a healthy planet is good business and believe that a long-term business relationship is good for themselves and the park store. It is important to remember that pursuing earth-friendly products is time consuming and currently more expensive than traditional methods. Vendors must see a return on their investment or they will not continue to pursue a green line of business. If a vendor has earned your business make sure they receive your business.
Revisit "Mapping Park Store Products To Tilden's Interpretive Principles"
Several inquiries have been made about finding a copy of last seasons article, "Mapping Park Store Products To Tilden's Interpretive Principles". This and similar articles can be found online at GlyphGuy.com, or click here.
About GlyphGuy
GlyphGuy is a family based business located in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. GlyphGuy began in 1996 leading day hikes, kayaking nature visits and whale watching trips for overworked tech workers who wanted to spend quality time outside with their families. Today we make backpacks, but our business is still about families being in nature
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