Local companies urge customers to `go green'

Kenny Santana, Contributor The Jakata Post, Bali, Jakarta

It doesn't take an Al Gore to save the world: With some local companies "going green", customers can now easily pick the right books, paper or hotel to contribute to the global effort.

Starting in April last year, Aksara bookstore began their No Plastic Bag campaign, under which they are asking customers to say "no" to plastic bags when buying books. Instead, the bookstore encourages them to use a customized tote bag made from 100 percent recycled cotton, sold at the store for a mere Rp 15,000.

POSTER EFFECT: A poster posted on (ak'.sa.ra) bookstore's
entrance in Kemang, South Jakarta asked shoppers to bring
their own bag in a movement to save the environment.
(JP/Prodita Sabarini)

"What Aksara is trying to do is simply help get the same message across to Jakarta's urbanites. We try to socialize to our customers that no matter how simple our actions, they will help minimize depletion of the ozone (layer)," said Aksara retail operations manager Aditya Ardhana.

"Hopefully, when they get the message, they wouldn't mind paying small money for our tote bags, which will help reduce the use of plastic bags in Jakarta."

He added that the bookstore also encourages customers to recycle plastic bag by bringing their own from home under the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) program.

"The less plastic waste, the better," Aditya said.

Aksara's green campaign, of course, can only work with the participation of its customers.

"It's safe to say that our customers have responded positively so far," said Aditya. "Although it isn't reflected in our tote bag sale yet, but verbally they have shown support. So far, 70 percent of our customers still prefer plastic bags... However, we believe bringing the message across is an ongoing process."

In addition to the No Plastic Bag campaign, Aksara has implemented other customer programs dedicated to the environment. They are currently in the process of replacing plastic bags with more affordable and environmentally friendly bags.

Meanwhile, the bookstore is partnering with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) by hosting WWF events; in return, the WWF will provide simple green tips to share with Aksara's customers.

Shoppers also will find more environmentally friendly products in the store, including the Cyclus 100 percent recycled paper from Equinox Paper. Customers can buy the paper through Aksara while corporations can order in bulk via the company's official website at www.equinoxpaper.com.

Mark Hanusz, the man behind the initiative who also runs Equinox Publishing, recalls how this green program began: "When we (Equinox Publishing) placed our first big order with the mill, we only used 30 feet of a 40-foot container. The mill told us it wasn't very efficient to do this, so they offered us an introductory price on reams of A4-sized photocopy paper.

"I spoke with a couple of business contacts to check to see if they would be interested, and was surprised to learn there was a demand for recycled photocopy paper -- even if it is more expensive."

In fact, it turns out the cost issue is the biggest challenge for Equinox to market the paper widely in the country.

"Generally speaking, there is more interest from multinational companies and hotels than local ones. I think the reason for that is that the multinationals get pressure from their head office to embrace recycled paper alternatives if available, whereas local companies only have pressure from within," said Hanusz.

"I can't really blame them, though -- if you are only focused on cost and not on the benefit, there is no reason to use recycled 'anything'."

Hanusz's own publishing division, among other companies, is already listed as a user of recycled paper.

"We started using 100 percent recycled paper for all titles printed after August 1, 2007. I am optimistic that by using this paper -- and not raising my prices -- will pay off in the long run," he said.

With Equinox Publishing's green initiative, bookworms can still read the same great titles at the same cost -- and not hear the crash of trees being felled for the paper.

Participating in the global greening movement can also be done while on holiday. Choosing a hotel with a Green Globe certification is one solution. Green Globe members are those companies in the travel industry that continually challenge themselves to improve their environmental performance.

One recently certified hotel is the Conrad Bali Resort & Spa in Tanjung Benoa. The hotel is making its green effort by taking small steps on a daily basis.

Using recycled paper for printing, providing jams and marmalades for breakfast in small, reusable containers and using natural pesticides and insecticides for grounds upkeep are some of these steps. The hotel also uses 100 percent grey water for watering their gardens, and implements water preservation programs, energy-efficient equipment and online eco-learning programs for staff.

The Conrad Bali is not only implementing internal programs, but is also encouraging its guests to take part. Besides the usual "use the towel wisely", "don't leave the tap running" and "turn off the light when not in use" messages, the hotel also offers its guests regular greening programs such as its Clean Up the World Day and the Turtle Adoption Program.

In September 2007, the hotel started activities at the local level to address climate change as part of its Clean Up the World program. Energy conservation education, tree planting and waste reduction programs that involve hotel guests are a few projects the Conrad has organized.

The resort is also famous for its turtle conservation programs.

The Conrad's Turtle Adoption Program supports the conservation of local sea turtles, and involves their rehabilitation and release back into the sea. With the growing threats to this endangered species, the Conrad Bali Resort & Spa encourages guests to make a donation to the program and to personally release a turtle into the ocean. Younger guests are also invited to see the turtles being fed each day in the hotel's Turtle Pond.

Being green also has turned out to be good for business.

The Conrad's public relations director, Ruth Zukerman, said that since its certification, ecologically minded customers have shown more interest in staying there.

"Recently, we received several bookings specifically stating their reason for choosing Conrad Bali was due to our Green Globe 21 program," she said. And on an independent travel website, one Conrad Bali guest from London praised the hotel's turtle program.

In giving back to nature, it seems green companies are finding out that customers will eventually give back.

In the end, such green initiatives can create a win-win situation for both companies and customers -- but beyond all that, for our Earth.