Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Retail

Just a collection of links that connect filthy commerce, media and eco-consciousness:

"Wal-Mart Green Push Supports Earth Month" (BrandWeek, Apr 1, 08) -- "The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer said that more than 50 products spanning various aspects of sustainability will be featured on store shelves in April and that more than 500 eco-friendly items will be available at Walmart.com."

"Mags Go Gaga for Green, with Just a Nod to Own Hypocrisy" (AdAge, Mar 31, 08) -- "[A]ny of those green glossies seem determined to test their readers' capacity for cognitive dissonance by editorializing for eco-friendly action on virgin paper that lugs big carbon emissions behind."

(On a related note: I recently picked up a copy of National Geographic Green Guide, and I recommend that anyone who's embarking on a greening of their lifestyle -- or anyone who wants to study magazines -- do likewise.)

"Crate & Barrel Keeps Pulse on Environment" (ChiTrib, Mar 24, 08) -- "As for going green, Crate has got a head start. It got rid of packing peanuts in 2006 and has been moving to eco-friendly catalog practices for years. Last year, it advertised its sustainable furniture in national magazines and just recently created a section on its Web site to tout its green strategy."

Comments

[Nomie]

The Crate and Barrel thing reminds me of a huge kerfuffle going on with Lush, which makes "fresh handmade cosmetics." They're really pushing right now for sustainability and green-ness. In the UK, this means shipping products out "naked" - no bags or wrapping for bath bombs and bubble bath bars - and using popcorn instead of packing peanuts. Yes, actual popcorn. And this is for mail order. I can understand the move to reduce packaging, but stuff arrives damaged quite often and I'd think that re-shipping replacement goods (which is basically their policy) would be a way bigger environmental hit. Plus, who wants to take a bath in Pop Secret?

[Kerry]

You know, as the consumer I think its my responsibility to recycle/reuse the junk that comes into my orbit, not a company's business necessarily limit it for me. That Lush example would drive me nuts because it's just not practical.