Posts Tagged ‘sunrise’
Monday, January 11th, 2010
A conversation on bitter cold would usually be directed to our northern friends and those of us that experience snow throughout the winter. However, this winter that seems to incorporate the entire US. With freezing spells hitting the usually balmy states of the south there’s no saying what this winter has in store. That’s why people across the country should reap the benefits of lowering their thermostat’s just a little bit.
I realize this may seem like the opposite of what you want to do, but you can fight the cold by layering up, including investing in the increasingly popular Snuggie.
The following from Madison Gas and Electric provides a chart of the energy saved when you set your thermostat back.
|
Set back
|
8 hours
per day
|
16 hours
per day
|
24 hours
per day
|
|
5°
|
5%
|
10%
|
15%
|
|
7°
|
7%
|
14%
|
21%
|
|
11°
|
11%
|
22%
|
33%
|
|
13°
|
13%
|
26%
|
39%
|
It’s unlikely that you’ll be dropping your thermostat anywhere in the 11 to 13 degree range but it may be possible for you to drop it down 5 degrees. Even 5 Degrees for a few hours throughout the day can start to make a different. Every little bit helps.
For more information visit:
Madison Gas & Electric
Tags:Degrees, Electric, Gas, sunrise, Sunrise Packaging, Temperature, Thermostats, Winter
Posted in Eco-Friendly | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
It has only been a few days into 2010 and already there are a plethora of predictions for what this year’s trends will be, including the ever changing face of social marketing. So where are we headed? Of course no one can be certain, but according to many sources the road will be one of exclusivity and slight obsession.
Social media may start to feel more exclusive as users filter out the masses of unwanted information. For example, you may have a friend, or several friends who choose to update every waking detail of their lives on facebook. Hiding their newsfeeds will help to reduce this clutter, and to increase your sanity.
Another trend will take place within the business world. Companies, if they haven’t already, will formalize social media policies, leading to more restrictions in web usage and blocking out social media platforms. This will lead to another trend of increased usage of smartphones for social media browsing. Smartphones have the capability of browsing social media sites. More people will use smartphones to get their social media fix. Only time will tell if these trends hold true for 2010.
For more information please visit:
Social Media Trends
Tags:2010, facebook, New Year, packaging, Smartphone, Smartphones, Social Media, sunrise, Sunrise Packaging, Trends, Work
Posted in Custom Packaging Products, Marketing, Social Media | No Comments »
Monday, January 4th, 2010
It’s hard to believe that another year has come to a close. We know a lot has happened in 2009, especially in the pop-culture world. We lost the King of Pop. A balloon hoax flooded the news. The one and only Oprah Winfrey announced her retirement. However, 2009 was deeper than it’s pop culture surface. It was also a year of continued innovation. Here are a few innovative ideas that may have failed to make headlines but are certainly worth hearing about.
Smarter Irrigation for Crops and Landscaping- Past irrigation systems were based on timers. They used the same amount of water regardless of weather conditions. This often resulted in overwatering. Smart irrigation systems take weather and soil conditions into consideration resulting in precise watering.
Hotel Room Energy Management- Hotel rooms are often known for their temperature inefficiencies. Guests often don’t think twice about blasting they air conditioning while they stay. They also tend to leave it on even while they’re gone wasting a lot of energy. That was until the key card system was implemented.
When a guest leaves the room, taking the key card, the electricity is turned off and the thermostat resets to a temperature pre-selected by the hotel’s owner. When the guest returns and inserts the key in the slot, power returns to all equipment in the room—lighting, heating, cooling, TV and radio
The new decade brings new opportunities. It can be hoped that innovations in this coming year will bring more ideas that support the planet and reduce waste.
For more information visit:
Innovation
Tags:2009, energy efficient, Hotel, irrigation, Key, key card, packaging, smarter irrigation, sunrise, Sunrise Packaging
Posted in Custom Packaging Products | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
For a multitude of different reasons there comes a time when it is necessary to get rid of some clothes. Maybe your kids hit a growth spurt. Maybe you hit a growth spurt; wanted or not. It’s possible your style has changed, or that you just feel overwhelmed by the lack of space. Whatever the reason it’s important that your old clothes steer clear of the dumpsters. Here are 5 things to do with the clothes you don’t want to wear.
1. Donate them- If the clothes are still in good condition donate them so they can be worn by someone else.
2. Make accessories- Use the fabric to make headbands, hair ribbons and belts.
3. Make a quilt- Many of the heavy fabrics, such as jean, are great for quilting. Combining several different types of jean also creates a nice checkered pattern.
4.Make a Bag- Cut long, wide strips of fabric that you can fold in half and then sew the sides creating a great bag. You can also add a handle for convenient carrying.
5.Make things for your pet- Old fabric can be sewn together for pillows and bedding that are perfect for pets.
For more information please visit:
Using Clothes
Tags:Accessories, Clothes, Jean Quilts, packaging, Quilts, Recycling Clothes, reuse, Reusing Clothes, sunrise, Sunrise Packaging
Posted in Custom Packaging Products, Eco-Friendly | 1 Comment »
Monday, December 28th, 2009
How do you feel about spending a relaxing afternoon on the deck, basking in the sun, taking in the scenery and kicking back… on a bunch of milk jugs? This afternoon might have sounded like it was headed in the right direction until the milk jugs, but don’t be deterred. By the Yard is an innovative, fellow Minnesota-based company whose outdoor furniture is made out of recycled milk and water jugs. If you aren’t sold on their innovative materials you might be swayed by their comfort, variety and product guarantees.
Their furniture is no joke. By the Yard boasts a 35 year warranty for their outdoor furniture, guaranteeing that it will not crack, rot, or peel within that time. It is also offered in a variety of colors and styles to ensure it meets your decor. Perhaps the best part about the color you choose is that it’ll stay that way. Their website states;
It will not fade more than 3% over a 10 year period; a color change that is generally not noticeable to the human eye. The color runs throughout each piece and has a UV-inhibitor incorporated into the material to minimize the chance of any discoloration.
The following is a sampling of a few of these colors and styles.
Now that’s cool!
For more information please visit:
By the Yard
Tags:By the Yard, Chairs, Comfort, Crack, Furniture, Innovative Materials, Materials, Milk, milk cartons, Milk Jugs, Minnesota, Peel, ROt, sunrise, Sunrise Packaging, Water Cartons
Posted in Eco-Friendly, Marketing | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
Living a more sustainable lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight. It’s unlikely that you go to bed a fossil fuel hog and wake up the next day with your hybrid car and carrying reusable grocery bags. It’s a continual learning process. It’s also about recognizing the impact of your daily habits and understanding what it takes to change them. For example, take a magazine and consider it’s impact on the environment. You probably think that if you recycle them you are doing your part. To some extent this is true but did you ever think about the resources used to make the original magazine? Do you know if you subscribe to a magazine that is made out of recycled paper or not? Many magazines are in fact made out of recycled paper which significantly cuts down on the amount of resources needed to print them. One such magazine is the popular Everyday With Rachel Ray. For a list of more magazines go to better magazine list.
You may think now that you’ve subscribed to a magazine printed on recycled paper (which you of course plan to recycle when you’re done reading) you’ve really done your part. However, even this can be improved upon for the die hard green goers. I’d like to introduce you to the electronic magazine subscription. Available through your computer and involved in the destruction of zero trees. Described by Barnes and Noble as
“…delivered to the recipient’s email address. Scores of titles available. An Eco-Friendly gift because these subscriptions are paperless and are delivered electronically- not by mail carrier.”
It’s everything the environment ever wanted.
For more information visit:
Grist
Barnes and Noble
Tags:Digital, digital magazines, Eco-Friendly, Magazines, packaging, paper, Rachel Ray, reading, recycle, reuse, Smart Reading, sunrise
Posted in Custom Packaging Products, Eco-Friendly, Marketing, Packaging Design | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Holiday lights decorate the house. They decorate they yard. They wrap around street posts and store fronts. They may be festive but they also are notorious for upping the ever dreaded energy bill. However, this year can be different with solar powered string lights. They are described by Christmas Solar Lights as,
“…LEDs – which rely on a really tiny amount of electric current to make them work. They work with both electricity and solar power and light up, but don’t get hot. They also last for years and years, further cutting your maintenance bills. In fact a single LED should last for at least 25 years. Another thing to remember is that solar powered Christmas lights aren’t only used to decorate Christmas trees. Unlike tinsel and baubles, ceramic stars and plastic angels, these lights can be used to create fun and effective lighting at any other time of the year as well.”
Here are some of the pros and cons of switching over to the more efficient version of the holiday light.
Pros
- They save lots of money on your energy bill.
- They are easy to install since you won’t need to run power cords to them.
- They are eco-friendly.
- They last for years.
Cons
- They are powered by the sun so inorder for them to charge properly they have to get ample amounts of sunlight. Daylight savings can affect how charged the lights are.
- They are more expensive that non solar powered lights.
Although there are a few drawback in switching to solar powered lights there are more advantages in the long run.
Solar String Lights
Christmas Solar Lights
Tags:Holiday Decoration, Holiday Lights, Lights, packaging, Solar, Solar Lights, Solar Panel, String lights, sunrise, Sunrise Packaging
Posted in Eco-Friendly | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Companies are always looking for ways to better market and revamp their products. However, the answer isn’t always in altering the product itself. This can be especially true if your customer base is extremely loyal to your current product. A perfect example of this is when Coke tried to edge out Pepsi by reformulating it’s Classic Coca-Cola into its “New Coke.” The result was a complete marketing failure as loyal Coke followers were outraged by the decision ultimately leading to the reintroduction of the original recipe. So where do companies gain a marketing edge if they aren’t altering the product? It comes from new and innovative packaging. Many companies have turned to this approach to give their classic products a new edge on the competition. Here are a few recent examples.
Heinz worked extensively to redesign it’s ketchup bottle so that it would stand upside down. This made for easy use as the ketchup was always near the opening. It’s vacuum seal also helped eliminate mess.
Kraft was another company that benefited from redesigning its packaging for Chips Ahoy. It’s old packaging opened from the side and lead to stale cookies. The new packaging allows for a resealable top flap that eliminates staleness and increases the ease of use.
For more information visit:
CNN
Tags:Chips Ahoy, Classic Coke, coke, competition, Cookies, Heinz, ketchup, Kraft, New, New Coke, packaging, product, sunrise
Posted in Custom Packaging Products, Marketing, Packaging Design | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
I think it’s safe to say that children and adults think differently. Children have an innate curiosity to the world. They often walk into a store and want to touch everything. They are drawn to bright colors and unusual shapes. For this reason when packaging items that are marketed to children, such as toys, the packaging should pay close attention to these details while still fulfilling it’s packaging purpose. Here are a few tips regarding color and construction offered by Mark Gallagher, the Creative Director of a brand positioning and consulting company.
Often, the use of die cut windows, clear plastic or other elements that allow the buyer to see the actual product can instill a level of trust. Being able to see the product’s color and construction is reassuring and will often sway the purchasing decision in your favor.
Although bright saturated colors tend to be eye catching, making your packaging too colorful can confuse your message. By using color with purpose, such as a blue/green pallet for a water related toy, your package design becomes thematic, making for a stronger message.
Check out these top toys of 2009.
The packaging on these toys are tastefully colorful. They allow for children to interact with the toy while still protecting it. No wonder they’re the top sellers this year.
DR Toy
Tags:Add new tag, Child, children, color, Holiday Toys, kids, packaging, Presents, sunrise, toys
Posted in Custom Packaging Products, Marketing, Packaging Design, Product Information | 2 Comments »
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Meet Yonca, New Accountant and Avid Scrapbooker!
Do you have a nickname?
I don’t have a nickname. I just go by my first name.
Last book you read?
The last book I read was actually a book on finance.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
If I could meet anyone it would be Ghandi. I just think that he would be a really interesting person.
Favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is scrapbooking!
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why?
If I could be a superhero I would be Phoenix from X-men because she has the best power out of all of them.
What attracted you most to working at Sunrise?
I was attracted to all of the opportunities that Sunrise was able to offer me.
—
Meet Ali Torborg, Intern and Future Kayak Guru
Do you have a nickname?
I think it’s more likely for me to be called by one of my nicknames that by my given name. The majority of my friends call my Torbs or Torby.
Last book you read?
“The Time Traveler’s Wife”
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
I would want to meet John Wooden, perhaps I could celebrate his 100th birthday with him in the upcoming months. I’ve read several of his books and I think his life and accomplishments are incredible.
Favorite hobby?
I don’t have a specific hobby that I love. I’m extremely competitive so I tend to like sports. I want to take up kayaking this summer and I have a feeling that will become my new love.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why?
I would choose teleporting. There are a lot of amazing places around the world. Imagine the travel time it would cut down on if you could teleport.
What attracted you most to working at Sunrise?
The friendly people and the job description is what attracted me most to working at Sunrise.
Tags:Accountant, Add new tag, employees, Finance, Intern, Job, Kayaking, packaging, Scrapbooking, sunrise, Superheros
Posted in Packaging Design, Sunrise Family | No Comments »
