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On request, garments can be tagged with private labels
showing the closed loop symbol that promotes recycling used
garments, or listing the percentage of recycled products using
in making the garment. For example, “a shirt may be made
from the equivalent of five recycled water bottles,” says Trotzuk.
“We created a supply chain that is sustainable and arranged
all the components to make them sustainable,” he explains.
“This includes picking and choosing the materials and
creating a waste water treatment plant that cleans and
recycles waste water from the textile mill.”
The company has manufacturing facilities
in Vancouver as well as China and Vietnam,
and all factories are audited and consid-
ered socially compliant. The company also
promotes its Eco® mark, a trademarked
symbol used on its website that certifies
a garment is made from natural and/or
recycled fibers and that it has been
manufactured in a socially compliant,
fair trade facility. The Eco® mark also
represents authentic third-party audits
and certification of fabrics and com-
ponents.
Since changing its focus, one of
the challenges Boardroom Eco®
Apparel has found is that people don’t
always understand what eco-friendly really
means. “We don’t promote eco-friendly. We used to do that, but
it’s a buzzword and people are skeptical,” Trotzuk says. “We
promote ‘eco-apparel’ and when people see this, they ask ques-
tions. We explain that what we do is a reduction and/or mitiga-
tion of environmental impact. That seems to resonate more
with people.”
He too believes education is an extremely important com-
ponent to help potential customers understand what makes
his product different. “It’s complicated but showing the lifecycle
of a garment or explaining the supply chain helps them
understand the why and what. It is less marketing and more
information.”
Trotzuk says he believes the company is doing the right
thing by manufacturing recycled and recyclable apparel. “It is
mostly educational. It is leading by example. Personally it
makes me feel really good.”
100 YEARS AND NOW COUNTING GREEN
Supplier American Greenwood Inc. has been serving the
promotional products industry for more than 100 years.
Originally founded as a button manufacturer in 1900,
American Greenwood, located in Chicago, Illinois, now offers
an array of innovative and unique products.
In 2003, American Greenwood (UPIC: AMERGRWD)
included seeded paper and bookmarks as part of its line of
products. They weren’t a big hit. “When we launched the seeded
paper it was a really innovative idea. But no one even knew
what it was,” says Aaron Bradley, sales and marketing director.
“Once people knew about it, it became very popular and we
looked into adding more products,
more seeded paper and planter kits …
products with more of a perceived
value.”
Six years ago, in 2009, the company
created a new line of eco-focused
products, Sprout Tyme. While the
Sprout Tyme line is part of American
Greenwood, it has its own logo, web-
page and a different look and feel from
the company’s other products.
“Everything Sprout Tyme offers is made
from recycled products, is recyclable, and
made of compostable plastic and biodegrad-
able or seeded paper,” Bradley says.
He says that since Sprout Tyme was separated
from American Greenwood, sales have increased
every year. “At trade shows we arrange the Sprout
Tyme line so it looks like a separate booth, so people can
see the ‘green’ products we offer,” Bradley says, adding that the
booth display included a few sheets of seeded paper with
Continued On Page 32
INNOVATE
28 •
PPB
• APRIL 2015
SEEING
GREEN
“We don’t promote
eco-friendly. We
used to do that, but
it’s a buzzword and
people are skeptical.”
—Mark Trotzuk
Aaron Bradley