It just so happened I had on ABC news on a couple mornings ago when they did a news report on green products. Green products have exploded throughout the country, almost becoming the new fad of American purchasers. They call it "green-washing;" labeling prodcuts as "environmentally friendly," "eco-friendly," or "green," when many times it isn't not true. There is no national standard for these products, so it makes it difficult to choose which products are reputable and which are not. I can't believe that companies would actually put out products with labels claiming that they are helping the environment, when in fact they aren't! Hopefully something will be done in the near future to help prevent companies from putting out products just because it's the "new, hot fad," and more because it will help our environment in the long run.
Check out the video from ABC News
Also, an environmentalist, Leigh Stringer was interviewed during the video on ABC News. She wrote a book called "The Green Workplace," which gives tips and ideas for how companies can incorporate sustainable strategies into their workplace to create for a more environmental friendly company. I decided to look up her book (which you can purchase from amazon.com) and I ran across her blog! It has some interesting articles on something called "local-washing" (global companies claiming to have local food products), recycling, and different articles about how to create a more sustainable workplace. Check her blog out!
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I share your contempt...I never knew companies were willing to sink so low as to fake being eco-friendly just to make a profit! I must say I'm pretty shocked.
ReplyDeleteAs I was watching the video, it made me think of what Fred Pearce said about how major steps toward reducing CO2 emissions will only be made once it's profitable to do so. To add to that, I think we're also going to need laws to enforce labeling eco-friendly products as such. Otherwise, we're probably just going to have more eco-friendly posers out there.
Honestly, I wish I had more faith in both the American companies and the consumer, but unfortunately, I just don't. It doesn't surprise me at all that companies are taking shortcuts to increase their profits as this trend continues. What many consumers fail to do, however, is take the time to read the contents labels to make sure that everything checks out. Quite honestly though, there are a number of ways to make really effective cleaners out of everday household items:
ReplyDeletehttp://housekeeping.about.com/cs/environment/a/alternateclean.htm
I definitely agree with both of you -
ReplyDeleteA) I think some sort of legislation should be made to regulate what companies put out for consumers to use...
and B) all of us should make use out of cleaning with everyday household items. It probably works just as well and is definitely cost effective!