Choose suppliers that care

If at all possible, buy products and services from suppliers that genuinely care about the green agenda, instead of using it as a marketing gimmick, or to improve their bottom line.

So, what do we mean?

For example, a bank recently sent out leaflets asking customers to opt for online statements. Customers with basic banking arrangements could receive up to four letters in the post each month. So what do you think was the proposed solution?

A leaflet was sent out appealing to our 'green conscience' asking customers to print off statements at home instead. Delighted to assist of course, but what was the incentive for not only helping the bank to avoid paying the postage, but of course accepting the cost burden of printing statements when needed? Absolutely nothing, as they wanted to keep the savings.

In fact the bank's commitment to saving the planet was to send three identical leaflets in the same envelope! If they truly wanted encourage me, my bank would have credited my account with a 'green' reward (financial of course) for the printing and postage I've saved them.

That would have truly showed their motivation was 'green' rather than using it as a disguise to increase their profitability.

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