Not necessarily. Take promotional products for example. Almost anything you can think of: pens, magnets, paper products or wearables now have a green cousin.
And what exactly is the definition of Green?
Since there is no industry wide standardization, it is a matter of presentation and interpretation. For example, let’s look at non-woven polypropylene bags. These typically imported bags have been marketed as shopping totes and trade show bags for over 30 years. Only in the past few years have they been promoted as a “Green” or eco- friendly product.
Granted, these reusable bags do replace plastic grocery bags that San Francisco wisely banned the sale of in 2007 and have been major contributors to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This stew has been growing in the Pacific Ocean since 1950 and consists mainly of plastic products (see http://tr.im/o4UO). However, like the plastic bags that they replace, they are made from a non-renewable resource. So are they in fact “Green” or just “Greener?” Mama used to call this the lesser of two evils and I have to agree.
I suspect by now you’re wondering “What about the shopping bags made from recycled plastic?” These are typically composed of pre and post consumer scrap as well as recovered soda bottles, denier and PETE. Technically another Greener candidate as they are not necessarily recyclable.
Now by process of elimination, we’re left with “Greenest.” Ideally, this will have an organic beginning, enjoy a long service life and ultimately be biodegradable like this American made, 15 oz. organic canvas shopping bag.
So the point is, if you are leaning towards Greening your life, consider products that are more like yourself: sharing an organic beginning, enjoying a long life devoted to service and ultimately biodegradable!
And what exactly is the definition of Green?
Since there is no industry wide standardization, it is a matter of presentation and interpretation. For example, let’s look at non-woven polypropylene bags. These typically imported bags have been marketed as shopping totes and trade show bags for over 30 years. Only in the past few years have they been promoted as a “Green” or eco- friendly product.
Granted, these reusable bags do replace plastic grocery bags that San Francisco wisely banned the sale of in 2007 and have been major contributors to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This stew has been growing in the Pacific Ocean since 1950 and consists mainly of plastic products (see http://tr.im/o4UO). However, like the plastic bags that they replace, they are made from a non-renewable resource. So are they in fact “Green” or just “Greener?” Mama used to call this the lesser of two evils and I have to agree.
I suspect by now you’re wondering “What about the shopping bags made from recycled plastic?” These are typically composed of pre and post consumer scrap as well as recovered soda bottles, denier and PETE. Technically another Greener candidate as they are not necessarily recyclable.
Now by process of elimination, we’re left with “Greenest.” Ideally, this will have an organic beginning, enjoy a long service life and ultimately be biodegradable like this American made, 15 oz. organic canvas shopping bag.
So the point is, if you are leaning towards Greening your life, consider products that are more like yourself: sharing an organic beginning, enjoying a long life devoted to service and ultimately biodegradable!
No comments:
Post a Comment