If you are already competitive in terms of price, quality and performance, adding "green" claims and eco-labels to your marketing strategy may enhance your brand image and secure your market share among the growing number of environmentally concerned consumers.

Start your green marketing campaign by ensuring your green claims are credible. Do this by having your product certified that it was produced in an environmentally sound manner. Once certified, use the eco-labels from the certifying organizations to help consumers make educated choices. The links below can help you learn how to get certified!

Green Your Products

• Read the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) guide Greening Your Products which describes how to introduce new and improved green products.

• Certify your offerings as being "green" products.

• Evaluate your product packaging to reduce waste.

Advertising and Eco-Labeling

• Regulations for green marketing and advertising.

• Add "green" claims and ecolabels to your marketing strategy.

• Learn the top six eMarketing tips for marketing to green consumers over the Internet.

Market Research

The following resources will help you get started researching consumer attitudes and behaviors toward green products:

• Environmental E-Market Express

Provides current environmental market research data, international trade leads and events.

• Talk the Walk

Offers research and statistics on consumers’ attitudes and behaviors in the context of successful green products and sustainable lifestyle marketing strategies.

• Green Consumers: A Growing Market for Local Businesses

Explains how local businesses can better serve green consumers.

• Green Food Claims

Reports on how self-declared environmental claims have mislead consumers about a food's green credentials.

• Consumer Reports: Greener Choices

Supplies information on buying greener products that have minimal environmental impact and meet personal needs.