The other day I wrote a little about greenwash.  Today I want to offer a suggestion on how you can show your customers that you are more than green on the surface. 

Idea:The Green/CSR tab.  You probably have an About Us page on your website.  Why not put your green, sustainable and corporate social responsibility credentials out for your customers to see?  

This tab, page, section, whatever you want to call it, serves many purposes.  It also has some risks. 

The risks first.  By putting your credentials out there you open yourself up for criticism.   You may not be green enough or responsible enough, what ever that means, for some people.   And if you do mess up at some point, people might turn your words against you.

Now some of the opportunities. 

  1. By putting it all out there and facing the risks you are forced to address the issue of whether you are a green/SR company or just greenwashing.  If you find it is just greenwash, well… maybe its time to rethink your marketing.
  2. If you aren’t greenwashing, then by putting your credentials out there you may be raising the bar on your competitors.  They may be just greenwashing.  A green tab makes it easier for your customers to see that you are the real thing.
  3. The green tab is another opportunity to engage your customers.  Ask them for suggestions on making your company or products greener.  Ask them for ideas on expanding your green offerings.
  4. By providing an example, you may be educating your consumer. Hopefully this will encourage them to be more sustainable themselves.  You end up having a multiplier effect.

What do you put on your greentab?  Here comes my favorite answer — it depends.  I have put a greentab on this site.  There is not a lot for me to put on there — yet.  What you put on your greentab is a reflection of

  • where your company is in its development 
  • what type of product or service you are offering
  • what your customers already know or think they know about green/SR in your space

Questions:

  • What do you see as the risks of putting up a greentab?
  • What do you see as the opportunites created by putting up a greentab?
  • What would you put on your greentab?
  • What can I as a blogger do to be greener and more socially responsible?