In an era when recycling is a popular approach to keeping the environment healthy, there are things your business can do to benefit from the movement.

Many of your customers are eco-conscious and when you use recycled bags, they gain a perception that you are doing your part to promote something they believe in. It’s a small eco-friendly step that earns you bragging rights. A small news release can spread the word that you are doing your bit to keep things green.

There is a lot of talk about saving the planet, but it isn’t always translated into action. The use of recycled paper products is a tangible sign of actions that speak louder than words. Putting up a sign or two pointing out your commitment is okay.

You can expand the effect by cooperating with groups that have the same tree-saving objectives in mind. Offer to help sponsor or participate in festivals or other events in your area that focus on environmental issues. There are national efforts as well, such as the Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million promotions that focus on books and other publications printed on recycled paper. Research the possibilities in your particular business arena.

Recognition of particular efforts can encourage conservation. The Aveda Environmental Award is presented to publishers that specialize in sustainable publishing. Local awards such as Environmental Excellence Achievement recognition, as presented by the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility and Environmental Management Corp. of Evansville, Ill., could be a pattern for an effort in your own area.

Reusable fabric bags are promoted as one environmentally friendly approach to packaging, but they are more expensive than recycled paper products. The recycled paper achieves the same eco-friendly impact without the greater cost.

Keep an eye on the competition. If they are taking steps to be green, you need to keep up. Using recycled paper for packaging should be only a first step toward building an environment-conscious business. Develop products and policies that keep you in the forefront of the effort. As word gets out that you are serious about making your business good for the environment, it is possible you’ll see the bottom line positively affected. In today’s atmosphere, people who are genuinely serious about the issue will recommend you to like-minded friends.

A comprehensive environmental strategy may begin with recycled bags, but it certainly should not end there.