Call to Brands - Save the Earth & Our Wallets

It's the million dollar question: will consumers continue to buy eco-friendly products as they cut costs?

Our answer: why not help them do both?

For various (mostly valid) reasons, eco-friendly products have till now tended to cost more than their counterparts, leading to a perception that green is expensive or even a luxury. Let's call it the Whole Foods effect.

But at its heart, sustainability is really all about efficiency - about doing more with less. Which is exactly where consumers find themselves today.

There are plenty of ways going green can also help consumers save money - a recent WSJ article listed several, and Wal Mart has made helping consumers find this intersection its mission (http://instoresnow.walmart.com/Sustainability.aspx.)

Research has shown that, all else being equal, consumers will pick the eco-friendly option. So it follows that, in market where your competitors are competing on price alone, an added sustainability benefit could just be the tiebreaker.

We think the opportunity of the year is to reframe sustainability as the smart choice - not just for the planet but also for your pocketbook.

Happy (Green) Labor Day!

With the holiday weekend here, we hope your plans are already in motion. But in case you are a last minute planner, or up for some challenges, here are are three simple things to think about as you head into the weekend.

> Travel responsibly - We're not talking about drinking and driving (but PLEASE don't do that). But maybe not driving at all. Try a carpool. Or even better, public transportation. Labor Day weekend is notorious for its traffic jams, so ditch the car and enjoy more of summer's last moments.

> Eco-Grilling - Livestock is responsible for nearly 20% of greenhouse emissions. Why not try switching to chicken or fish this weekend? Or better yet, try vegetarian for one meal. And no matter what you cook, buy local food whenever possible. Not only is it better for the environment, but it tastes better too!

> Sun Power - With summer winding down, take full advantage of the final days of warm weather and direct sunlight. Instead of using a dryer for clothes, why not use the sun? Not only will you save energy, but it also helps your clothes last longer.

There are plenty of other tips out there. Find a few that work for you. Don't be afraid to try something new, you might be surprised at how easy it is. And, remember, it's a start.