On “CBS This Morning: Saturday,” Better Homes & Garden Beauty and Fashion Director Ellen Miller announced several of the magazine’s Best New Product Awards for 2012.

Each winning product was chosen by consumers. BHG and market research firm Brandspark surveyed more than 66,000 consumers across the U.S. about products they use in their day-to-day lives. In all, there were 67 winners, in categories such as health and beauty, food and beverage and household items. Let’s give Congratulations to the winner for BEST ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER  Windex Mini Concentrated Refill Pouch     

This concentrate offers an easy refill option that can save resources - Requires 90% less plastic than a standard 26 fl. oz. trigger bottle - enough for 6.5 ballpoint pens  Avoids transporting 22.4 fl. oz. of water - nearly 1.5 pounds by weight. It’s so simple. Just cut the corner of the pouch and pour the contents into an empty and clean 26 fl. oz. Windex® trigger bottle. Slowly fill the bottle with tap water.  In just three small steps – cut, pour, add water – it’s an easy, greener choice.

Plus Packaging,  would like to commend SC Johnson Co. for there innovative thinking. We believe in providing beautiful and eco friendly packaging solutions at a very competitive price. We meet this mission by using global resources and leading edge technology. We are known as a highly progressive company which stays on the cutting edge of the flexographic printing industry while providing innovative packaging solutions to the changing world. Our products are eco-friendly, and we pride ourselves as “Green Packaging Specialists”  

In a world that has become completely dominated by technology, marketing efforts by small businesses constantly must adjust to the changing times.  Having a website used to be the key in attracting new business.  Now you have to compete so people find your website, with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) which has become a multi-billion dollar industry.

Texting is another popular way to get your message out there. Companies like TextPower offer amazing solutions including “tcards”. For example:  text the word    plus    to 81888 … now you can advertise your business, send text blasts, stay in touch with your sales force…whatever.

QR Codes allow you to market your company to people with “smart phone technology”. You can advertise your QR code, and then have people engage your company with whatever you choose to link the QR code to.

Emails are fast and effiecient, but so often we are overwhelmed with the amount of “junk” email we get that the useful ones get overlooked.

And just when you thought you could get down to really working you have all those social marketing tools: Facebook, Twitter, and U-Tube to name a few.

There was a time when people used to meet, shake hands, and sit across a desk from each other. Today we are surrounded by people texting, tweeting, emailing, and doing business only on the phone. For over 35 years Plus Packaging Inc. has adjusted to the technology. We have all the bells and whistles in the tech world….we still prefer talking to our clients…and of course where would we be without that 800#?  (800-535-9550) 

Here are a few things to take into consideration when looking for environmentally friendly packaging…

First of all, you have to identify your company’s’ goals. Take into consideration what environmental issues you are most concerned with, and design your packaging with those things in mind. For example, the type of plastic or paper used in your packaging… Look into recycled plastic or biodegradable plastic, or recycled or FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified) paper products.

Know the life span of your packaging. Will it be recycled, reused or thrown away? This will also help you to determine the material that you want your packaging made from.

Lastly, consider whether or not the environmentally responsible packaging enhances your product’s image, provides adequate protection for your product and is economically viable for your company.

In taking these things into consideration, you too can improve on the environmental impact of your packaging!