What’s a Dagoba chocolate lover to do when the yummy fair trade bars get bought up by big bad Hershey’s? Or when Burt’s Bees lip balms are now owned by Clorox? Do you support the still-eco products — or think bigger and shun the big corporations?
That’s the question I took up in The Eco-shopper’s Dilemma, an article I wrote from Lime.com back in — June. Now, I’ve finally remembered to post about it here:
With so many small, green companies getting snapped up by big corporations, shopping green’s gotten complicated. Eco-foodies snacking on fair trade Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Dagoba chocolates are now supporting Unilever and Hershey’s. Clean hippies washing up with Burt’s Bees soap and brush with Tom’s of Maine toothpaste are lining the pockets of Clorox and Colgate. Green fashionistas in Edun’s organic, fair trade T-shirts are now walking billboards for a company part-owned by LVMH.
More eco-conscious products at mainstream stores can mean many new green shoppers…. Still, buyouts can trigger a sense of betrayal for a company’s fans — prompting some, like [Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the nonprofit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics], to change brands.
Click over and read on for opinions from Chris O’Brien, a director at The Center for a New American Dream (perhaps better known as the Beer Activist), Rebecca Sutton, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, Rodney North at Equal Exchange, and Beth Terry of Fake Plastic Fish.
The people I interviewed for this were all pretty hardcore environmentalists — but all of them still talked about balancing convenience and practicality with ethics and environmentalism. Still, the growing popularity of farmers’ markets and local co-ops show many people are foregoing big brand names to seek out eco-friendly products made by smaller, local companies.
That said, finding locally-made lip balm or ice cream’s appears to be quite a bit easier than locating a local toothpaste company — which perhaps explains why pretty much every everyone I spoke to brushes with Tom’s of Maine. I do too.
Curious who owns what? Mich. State Prof. Phil Howard’s put together a nice chart of organic and natural brands — and the corporations that own them.
Photo by jetalone
Re: toothpaste – what about the brand JASON? That’s what we buy – I don’t think they’re owned by a big corp. (Are they?)
My feeling is that I try to buy green products from green companies first and foremost – that way I’m getting a green product AND I’m supporting a company whose mission is to promote sustainability and/or social justice.
With the big corps who have green lines – I perceive it as a less of a commitment to green values and more of a market to exploit for profit until it’s not “trendy” (in their eyes) anymore. If Clorox were truly concerned about the environment, they would shift all of their products to being green, not just make a special line.
But if I don’t have access to a green company’s products, then I choose the green product made by a conventional company.
Comment by Melissa — September 17, 2009 @ 9:21 am
Hmm, looks like an opportunity for someone to start up a great news delivery service notifying its users of the latest change in corporate ownership with their favorite eco-brands.
The issue of big, corporate ownership is definitely a tricky one. You want to buy green to support the industry but do you continue to do so with these umbrella corps, thereby supporting their non-sustainable practices?
Seems like a question our communities should really be engaging in right now.
Thanks for the post!
Comment by Jedi Wright — September 17, 2009 @ 9:34 am
Melissa — Interesting question — I have never tried Jason! Here’s a Grist roundup of eco-toothpastes for people who’re looking for other options. Jason is owned by Hain Celestial Group — which specializes in eco brands with varying shades of greenness…. My bigger point was that it’s tough to find locally-made toothpaste :)
Comment by Siel — September 17, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
thanks for the link, and now i notice your locally-based point (skimmed right over that the first time! ;)
hmmm…maybe it’s time for DIY toothpaste? :) hehe
http://www.vegthreads.org/how-to-make-green-toothpaste
Comment by Melissa — September 17, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
In the name of complete transparency, I have to let you know up front that I work for Weleda, the organic skincare company, but I wanted to chime in. Our brand is owned by a family trust in Germany so we’re not corporate owned, and in the grand scheme of things, we’re pretty small compared with some other natural brands. We have a wonderful line of toothpastes that are all-natural and made with plant ingredients. My favorite, and many long-time users swear by this one, is the Salt Toothpaste. I know it sounds weird, but you should give it try. It’s very unique and it really works. You can find our products at Whole Foods, on our website and at natural health stores. :)
Comment by Carrie — September 17, 2009 @ 6:34 pm
I agree with “balancing convenience and practicality with ethics and environmentalism.”
While I feel better buying green products locally and would prefer to support the little guy, I don’t think you should beat yourself up for purchasing products that you can’t find locally at more conventional businesses.
Comment by Kim — September 18, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
Thanks for the transparency — Carrie :) I’ve heard good things about Weleda, though I’ve never tried the brand myself — I’ll look into the toothpastes :)
Comment by Siel — September 22, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
You should definitely give our Weleda products a try! They’re available in Whole Foods, Target, and CVS stores in Southern California, natural health and grocery stores, as well as on our website: http://www.usa.weleda.com. We’re launching a new line on October 5th that we’re really excited about! It’s called Pomegranate Regenerating Body Care. If you’re interested in reviewing, let me know.
Thanks!
Comment by Carrie — September 22, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
I have been a supplier of handmade soaps to the Canadian health food industry for 16 years. And finally I have decided to make a video on the deceptive ingredients in many name brand bath and products.
I read the Omnivore’s Dilemma and started to look at how pervasive corn is in our ‘natural’ bath and body products.
My company makes castile soap and I have created a video called ” Are You Washing With Corn”- view http://mountainskysoap.com/corn.php
People have to make choices as to what they buy, as that will drive the market, their health and the planet’s overall sustainability.
Comment by nina george — September 25, 2009 @ 2:02 pm