I am a few weeks out from opening a new newsagency and wanted to only offer green stationery – as a point of difference. This is proving to be a challenge. Even though our stationery department will be small with barely 800 SKUs, we can’t get this many with green – recycled and or carbon neutral – stationery items. In the US this would be much easier.
Ideas anyone?
i would also love to be able to offer more of this, we do well with fair trade and empowering the poor gifts and stationery. The skill is to communicate the benifts of these products over cheaper gifts/stationery.
Mark we have a section in our stationery were we have all our green and eco products. Yes it is difficult sourcing a decent range but by putting it all together in one section it is reasonably sucessful. We have included in our range, copy paper (2 brands) envelopes, binders, lever arch folders, notebooks, notepads ,pens, staplers, tape, document wallets, post it notes and diaries and journals all sourced thru gns. We also emailed all the green groups in our area to let them know about our range. If you want any extra info please feel free to contact us
Mark, while at the Brisbane GNS fair, the OSMER people showed me some of their green stationery products that was cheaper than regular products. I didn’t buy any because my Hallmark eco card range don’t really sell.
In addition to Adrian’s list, there are Marbig desk accessories (plastic and bamboo), Italplast desk accessories, Canon calculators, Bantex and Marbig dividers, Marbig display books, Bantx hole punch, Artline permanent and whiteboard markers, shredders from Pelikan-Artline, Liquid Paper, Scotch flip chart pads, Spicers suspension files, Fellowes mouse pads and many other pens, notebooks and pads. Most of these would be available through your local GNS.
Micador also have a range of Green products e.g FSC Pencils and paint brushes. GNS does range Micador but not sure of the range.
Great Aussie brand too!
I know someone who has started an Australian Eco/Green Stationery Company, memo books, notepads and greeting cards. Not sure if they are doing wholesale yet, but maybe contact them. The website is http://www.gumnuthill.com.au