Did you know that The Chicago Tribune averages 40% recycled stock? That equates to 116,377 metric tons of paper saved every year (and probably a few forests). Plus they use soy-based ink, bio-diesel in their delivery trucks and they offer a greener way to pay your bill. Easy Pay is their automatic service that eliminates monthly mailings and the need for checks.

We were approached by our client to create a mailer that would encourage people to sign up:

Our creative is hard-working, roll-up-your-sleeves direct response – a corporate communications envelope (6×9 kraft) that will be opened, crystal clear messaging and a fast call-to-action. The Tribune folks also threw in a solid premium – a re-usable grocery bag.

The letter is clean, with bold subheads that encourage scanning and instant understanding of the exclusive subscriber message. We’re hoping the results match our previous successes with the Tribune.

If you subscribe to the Chicago Tribune and get the above mailer, be sure to sign up for Easy Pay. Being “green” is practical choice that helps the world, and could be an easy part of your every day. Plus that bag is HUGE (we use ours all the time).

Monday night I caught “Manufactured Landcapes” on the Sundance Channel (it’s OnDemand for Comcast users). It’s a documentary about photographer Edward Burtynsky and his quest to show the impact of the natural landscape and how it’s been changed by industry and population growth. The film strides to not be preachy and let’s the photographer’s work speak to the subject matter.

Burtynsky’s work and vision come through as you see him thrust his camera into the various locations throughout China, Bangladesh and other parts of Asia. The photos show you the impact that the world has with demand for oil, new technology and energy dependence.

One segment that struck a chord, was when he traveled to rural China to a town that breaks down e-waste (old electronics, computers, etc.) and recycles the metals used in manufacturing them. This may seem like a good notion until you learn that they were improperly disposing of computer monitors. Unknown to them, the monitors had harmful chemicals that have seeped into the water table and polluted it beyond human consumption and have it shipped in.

Knowing this makes me want to skip buying any new computers or cell phones and ride my bike everywhere. Please take 80mins out of your life and watch this movie. It’s will change the way you see your impact on the world.

Buy the DVD