Comments on: When non-eco companies have more-eco products than eco companies

By: Siel

Siel — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:11:02 +0000

Beth — Baking soda doesn’t quite make for a good dishwashing liquid — and while I hear you about how companies should be thinking about their packaging too, I’m tired of getting press releases from companies that sell totally uneco products — but in recycled / recylable packaging. I guess our pet peeves are different –

Rosalie — It is definitely an odd time. I mean, Seventh Gen’s defending the fact that 1,4-dioxane’s in its products, arguing that it’s a minuscule amount, while Clorox’s Green Works has just gone ahead and gotten rid of it. We’ll see if conventional companies actually end up pushing green companies to catch up –

By: Rosalie Miller

Rosalie Miller — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:27:48 +0000

What a dichotomy! Man o’ man… I’ve been aware of this progression for some time. A trend that will seemingly continue to transcend because there is a need and a want for more eco-friendly products made available at your local Vons, not at your local apothecary or Co-op. It’s that consumer one-stop shop attitude; and quite honestly, I fall “prey” to that at times, but I have also learned to educate myself about what companies support what, and what it is I’m putting on my face or on my dishes.

The need is for more grass-roots competition on a more main-stream level, perhaps? However, when it becomes mainstream, it looses that home-spun appeal, which I personally love!

How progressive can we get when you’ve got big-time companies like Clorox buying out Burt’s Bees, etc.? It’s frustrating, but then at the same time, my hope is that the uber-green lines from the not so uber green companies will create a more sustainable trend for themselves as a whole. We’ll see… :)

Your blog definitely sparked conversation in our home this evening. Thank you for such a great perspective!

By: greenerguy

greenerguy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:16:09 +0000

Interesting that green works used the same font as GreenatWorkMag.com. A small green magazine that has been around since 2000.

Great blog.

By: Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish

Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:10:59 +0000

>>How do YOU make these decisions?

I choose baking soda.

Okay, I realize that’s not totally eco either because it’s mined or something, right? Really, I go for the most eco choice that also has the least packaging — especially plastic.

I’d love to see all of these companies start to focus more on their packaging. Offering bulk options for bringing your own container. Creating concentrated versions (shampoo bars, for example) that require less packaging. Using 100% post-consumer recycled content in their packaging and taking back and recycling packaging at the end of its life (like Preserve.)

So, yes, the stuff inside the package is obviously the most important part, but now that we have so many least-toxic options, I’d like to see zero waste be the next green movement for these companies.

Didn’t really answer your question, though.