Posts Tagged ‘green movement’
Safety First: NAUMD Aims to Keep Modern Uniform Design Challenging
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Perhaps not in every “best dressed” competition do judges evaluate details like a pocket flap. But such a contest held by the North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors may consider it the difference between a right and a wrong look.
“If there is any possibility at all in the duty of an officer that the cover of that pocket can get caught in his or her hand — whether they are reaching for a weapon or doing some other act — then you’re not doing your job,” said Richard Lerman, president and CEO. “They can be hurt, the person they’re trying to assist can be hurt, and they discharge that weapon simply because of a problem that should have never occurred.”
Since 1933, the association has created alliances between companies working in all aspects of outfitting policemen, firefighters and medical staff, among others. Such companies are recognized in the association’s “Best Dressed Public Safety Awards” at its annual convention and expo.
Safety measures only account for part of what judges — ranging from law enforcement members to apparel consultants — evaluate. They also analyze how well a uniform conveys an image and identity, of both the department and the community.
Police officers used to wear solely “navy, navy and more navy,” as Lerman said. But these days, with a number of municipalities popping up in communities, designers have since taken more creative liberty.
Regardless though of whether they are suited in brown, grey or green, judges reward elements that make an officer easily identifiable. An iridescent stripe, for example, can be seen as a life-saving and perhaps winning addition, Lerman said.
While its “Best Dressed Public Safety Awards” rewards a final product, the association has become increasingly concerned with a uniform’s creation. As a result, this year the association deemed its annual convention and expo “Meeting the Challenge of Change.”
One challenge the convention will address is the increase in sourcing abroad over the past 20 years. Due to union and federal regulation, U.S. labor and energy costs can add up, resulting in sourcing from, lately, Vietnam and Africa, Lerman said.
The association works with the Environmental Protection Agency regularly, Lerman said. All parts of a uniform’s life can be made into green initiatives, from its creation — with only approved chemical solutions — to its disposal — possibly grinding it into coat insulation.
“What they use to enhance uniforms — a plastic seam product used on the elbows of jackets, depending on the work environment — those have to be environmentally acceptable now,” Lerman said.
When the association recruited Lerman in 2006, he had to quickly acquaint himself with the industry’s many and growing concerns. But the reward of facing such challenges can be summed up in one moment, he said.
“When a new police officer is able to put on a real uniform and not training for the first time, you see the look in their eyes, and you know that just putting on that uniform is a great achievement, that the honor and dignity they’re seeking as a police officer is there. The challenge for our members is to make sure the uniform they’re putting on is worthy of that respect and dignity and honor, and not in any way taking away from that.”
Tags: christina lee, distributors, Environmental Protection Agency, green movement, NAUMD, North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and, Richard Lerman, working with manufacturers
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Keeping the Green Movement Going: How to Avoid Eco-Fatigue
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
Unless you’ve been hiding under a non-carbon based rock for the last five years, you are probably aware that there is a massive environmental movement under way. This movement is centered around the dangers posed to the planet by global warming, as caused by the actions of human beings.
Governments, businesses, and individuals are all on the green train, but there is a new worry on the horizon: will people eventually tire of being told what to do in order to save the planet?
There is a curve when it comes to marketing of any product or idea. First, the idea starts small, then gains momentum. Eventually the idea has the support of thousands of people, but then a funny thing happens: all of a sudden, everyone gets tired of hearing the same old message.
It Ain’t Easy Being Green
This has happened time and again in marketing, but the problem with consumers and so- called eco-fatigue is that the very life of the planet depends on people continuing to live greener - and supporting businesses that conduct business in a greener manner.
In other words, no one can become eco-fatigued enough that they actually fall asleep, or the result may be a permanent coma.
So how does a business go about helping others, and the business itself, to avoid eco- fatigue? Well, first of all businesses need to be leaders in the area of green living. Businesses need to show people, through example, that their impact on the environment is important to them.
They can do so by using recycled and recyclable packaging with the recycle symbol on it. Refusing to use too many supplies - and making sure those supplies are eco-friendly - will also send the message that your business cares about the environment.
Use A Light Touch
And that is really what avoiding eco-fatigue is about; staying away from the point where people begin to feel as though they are being bullied into inconvenient behaviors in order to circumvent a catastrophe at some point in the distant future.
The campaign surrounding green living has traditionally centered around fear and guilt, and people just can’t take that kind of treatment for long (just look at how effective it is on your teenager!).
Sooner or later they rebel, and it usually happens in a big way; while they may have done little things before to help out, now they do nothing because they are just tired of being pushed into it.
The way to avoid this problem lies in the way we state what green living is all about. It is surprising how little of the ‘living green’ campaign focuses on how smart green living actually is; it is not just about the environment, it is about the bottom line.
Turning off lights, using less water and driving less means a far less outlay of cash. It is just more convenient to do paperless paper work; much easier to send messages wirelessly, and much easier to keep records.
In order to avoid eco-fatigue, then, it is important both to lead and to emphasize the positive. Doing so will be good for your business - and good for the planet.
Tags: consumers, eco friendly, eco-fatigue, environment, environmental movement, going green, Green, green business, green movement, how to, Leeia Ladipoh, Marketing
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