How psyched should one be when a big corp launches a “green” initiative? I mean, the Home Depot Eco Options was a bit of a bummer…
But the latest: Office Depot launched a new Buy Green section.
As usual, I’m glad a major corp cares ’bout greening. And as usual, I’m giggling at what big corps consider green. The Buy Green section features Office Depot brand white copy paper — with a measly 10% post-consumer content, for ex. Of course, that’s better than 100% rainforest destroying paper — but considering there’s 100% post-consumer recycled paper on the market, the 10% stuff is a bit of a laugh –
It seems smart green shoppers would do best just by using their head — i.e. going for the highest post-consumer recycled products and the like. After all, Office Depot offers paper with 35% post-consumer recycled content.
Another option’s to just shop at The Real Earth, right in Malibu, for office supplies –
Meaning the Buy Green section of Office Depot would prolly be most beneficial to green newbies in getting them started. But how might a newbie find this section?
I couldn’t figure that out, so I emailed the PR person for instructions. Now I know: Scroll to the very bottom of the homepage to get to the fine print at the bottom. On the bottom-right corner, locate the “Products” category. The Buy Green link’s at the very bottom of this category.
How many people do you think will actually find this section, esp. sans detailed instructions from me?
[image: screenshot from Office Depot]
August 27th, 2007 at 9:58 am
It’s a tough call, but I think in the end it’s better that Home Depot offers this than otherwise.
A corporation greenwashing their minimal voluntary efforts is far better than a corporation greenwashing their compulsory court-ordered mitigation measures! But you see that all the time, especially in places like Long Beach where the Port of LA/LB has been forced to do a number of environmental projects and wetland restorations.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
This post is the kind of stuff I would want to see in a TV show. Too bad companies are scared to advertise on that kind of program.
If a large part of climate change is happening due to the residential sector, then we all need to make some adjustments if we can. These adjustments can be made on three levels: 1) Solely based on buyer purchasing decisions, 2) Company decisions on what to sell, or 3) The government telling companies what to sell.
As a consumer, option 2 makes me the happiest- when companies go out on their own and make the safe products. It makes me feel good about the company I’m dealing with. I’m not a conscious buyer, I was never raised that way, and I come to this blog for advice. Thank you.
August 27th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
LAME is all I have to say. Don’t they see there might be a MUCH bigger green market than they think? Just pandering to quell the stirrings of a few consumers & some eco-scolding by bloggers is LAME.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
It is unfortunate that Office Depot doesn’t seem to see the green market as a major opportunity — as evidenced by their relegating their link to an unfindable spot on the bottom right corner of corners –
Of course, even if one found the link, I’m not sure whether the “Buy Green” section would lead to more eco-friendly behavior or confused un-eco purchases….
August 27th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Speaking of office supplies, I’d love to hear your take on this:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118575698772781852.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
August 28th, 2007 at 8:59 am
I am an environmentalist, so I choose to support the businesses that support the environment. I use packing peanuts in my business. Office Depot sells a biodegradable brand made of corn starch. So I buy from Office Depot instead of from Office Max. I have written many times, especially in my book, Evil Genius in the Garden of Eden, that we can overpower the powerful corporations merely with our buying choices. We live in a consumer-driven economy, so we can choose the course of our environmental health by exercising our will through spending habits. Think about this power. Rupert Murdock owns myspace.com, so young people should boycott it and send a message that he feels in his pocketbook. As of this moment, the power is in our hands if we choose to stand up and make green choices.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
I went to Staples and Longs Drugs looking for 100% recycled paper and 3 ring notebooks. No such luck. Finally found what I needed at Whole foods- they have New Leaf, a line of 100% recycled paperstuffs.