Green Cards and Environmental Responsibility

Nearly twelve years ago, my parents bought and took over the family business, a forty room hotel in our hometown. They made quite a few changes to the hotel, one of which was adding an environmental policy to their business practices and philosophies. One tool they started using were “green cards”, or what my mom calls her contribution to Green PR.

These cards describe the hotel’s environmentally friendly practices, including doing their part to reduce water waste, as well as the large amounts of detergent dumped into the water system by hotels. Customers who are staying more than one night can place this card on the unmade bed in the morning, to alert the housekeeping crew not to wash the sheets and towels. They also describe how every day in hotels, thousands of gallons of detergent and millions of gallons of water are used to wash towels and sheets that have only been used once. These cards allow customers to do something good for the environment, and has resources at the bottom for other ways to help the planet while traveling.

Items like green cards fall into the category of Green PR, which is a term used to describe something that is used to spark changes in environmental policy. The definition wikipedia gives is: “…a sub-field of public relations that communicates an organization’s…environmentally friendly practices to the public.” Green cards are one of several tools used in this category of public relations. Other tools include placing news articles, winning awards, and communicating with environmental groups.

My parents didn’t stop at using green cards either. When they wanted to further communicate their environmentally safe practices, they wrote about them in the various advertising articles they submit to tourism advertising magazines. They also took their Green PR to the local lodging association, which they are members of, with the goal of helping other businesses change their environmental policies, or in some cases, develop them. They presented the other lodging owners with the green cards and their philosophy of protecting the environment, and helping customers do the same. My parents are just one example of how a company is using this type of PR to inspire change in environmental policy in their type of business.

Thousands of other companies have done the same thing, moving the entire field of companies the provide products and services, toward greater environmental responsibility.

The Lastest posts in Public Relations

Press Release Writing: Using Press Releases As Part of Your Link Building Strategy
Include Keywords Within The Press Release Once you've identified a keywor...
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/press-release-writing-using-press-releases-as-part-of-your-link-building-strategy-4322/

Planners For The Best Parties
When you're at a party has it come to mind that the best parties are the parties...
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/planners-for-the-best-parties-4216/

Is Bide-A-Wee in Wantagh NY Cursed?
Is Bide A Wee in Wantagh NY Cursed? (I can not say for certain this is all true....
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/is-bide-a-wee-in-wantagh-ny-cursed-3736/

Using Press Releases As A Link Building Tool
Include Keywords Within The Press Release Once you've identified a keywor...
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/using-press-releases-as-a-link-building-tool-3629/

Link Building Using Press Releases
Include Keyword Throughout Release Once you've identified a keyword, writ...
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/link-building-using-press-releases-3065/

21 Ways to Get Publicity and Increase Sales Written By: Robert Smith
Do you know what made Dr. Phil famous? It was his weekly appearances on Oprah....
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/21-ways-to-get-publicity-and-increase-sales-written-by-robert-smith-2568/

The Case For Public Relations In Small And Medium Sized Business
Large companies have for a long time utilized public relations to promote their ...
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/the-case-for-public-relations-in-small-and-medium-sized-business-2448/

What Can a Public Relations Firm Do For Your Corporate Business?
A company's success can hinge on the relationship they have with the public and ...
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/what-can-a-public-relations-firm-do-for-your-corporate-business-1614/

NYC Motorcycle Blood Drive
Every February I attend the Annual AMA Biker's Blood Drive and Party at Harley D...
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/nyc-motorcycle-blood-drive-1548/

Going Online To Purchase Promotional Leisurewear
There are many sources that sell promotional leisurewear for companies. As the r...
http://www.bizarticlezone.com/business/public-relations/going-online-to-purchase-promotional-leisurewear-1528/