Marketing Tip for a Cause

I committed to writing one blog about marketing and the environment as part of blog action day.  I thought I would work up to blog action day with a few 'green' marketing tips.  

My first tip is to find a way to reward your customers for helping the environment while doing business with your company.   A good example of this is Trader Joes (at least my local store).  They will enter you into a monthly contest for a $30 gift card every time your bring your own bag.  Sounds good,  right?  Here is what makes it better:

1. They sell reusable bags at the check out. I am sure they make some money on the bags but you just feel better when you use one.
2. They save a little money every time you bring your own bags. Hey, all those pennies and bags add up...
3. It can create good word of mouth.  Who doesn't want to win money for doing something easy and then brag to all their friends.

What they could do better:

• I didn't know about the give-a-way the first few times I shopped at the store.  If they added a sign at the checkout counter or if I was asked"paper, plastic or reusable bag" now that would have gotten my attention. 
• They do have a sign about the promotion but it is by the door on the way out so unless you are using the one checkout right in front of the door you won't see it.  Even then the sign is almost part of the wall.  Just make the sign stand out or place one by each register.
• Put a big sign and picture of last month's winner in the middle of the store.  That would get some attention.

You can make your business green by asking your customers to help out.  Whatever you do make sure your customers know about the effort and make it easy to participate.

If you have other examples please let me know via a comment.