An article was recently tweeted discussing the concept of Downcycling and it drives home the point that while Recycling seems like a good alternative to landfill on many levels, much of what gets recycled may end up in landfill at some point in the lifecycle of the material anyway. Ultimately we should be focusing more on the Zero Waste concept through the first 2Rs - Reducing & Reusing.
(Read the article here - "Two Rs and a D" via @WalkerUD97)
If producer responsibility is not mandated I'm not sure how or when we'll convince them to start coming up with more sustainable products/packaging except by our choices and supporting those that are creative enough to have figured it out... it helps when we the consumers start considering the source of the problem rather than applying band-aids.
Shifting our thinking could look something like this:
As I'm about to 'get rid' of something, I ask if anything else could be done with it.
If not, and the only options are landfill or recycling, then I might think back to when I purchased the item and if there were other more sustainable options available.
And if there weren't any other options, I might think back and ask if I really needed it in the first place?
And then before I go shopping next time, I could reverse the line of questioning to help with the decision and perhaps avoid unnecessary waste, energy, materials & environmental damage.
Try it.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
marketing earth day to kids
Reprinted email from The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood
Between Sesame's new green Elmo and Nick's Big Green Help, the children's media and marketing industries are going green in a big way this Earth Day. Or are they? In today's Huffington Post, CCFC's Susan Linn and Josh Golin lay out the harms inherent in the environmental lessons promoted by companies whose profits depend on inculcating consumerism in children.
In the coming year, CCFC will work to make the connections between marketing to children and environmental degradation more explicit.
A link to the article is below. Happy Earth Day!
Marketing Earth Day (and Other Stuff) to Children
By Susan Linn and Josh Golin
Have you done your Earth Day shopping yet? Between greeting cards, jewelry, mugs, and teddy bears commemorating the day, its roots in environmental activism have all but been forgotten. Now corporations use Earth Day to sell us on the belief that we can buy our way into ecological sustainability. We can't.
Reducing consumption is essential to preserving the earth's resources and preventing its degradation. The same companies that are painting themselves green depend on the profits they earn convincing us to buy more than we need.
Nowhere is this more obvious, and more troubling, than in the world of children's media and marketing, where companies like Disney, Sesame Workshop, and Nickelodeon are eco-marketing as never before.
Read the rest HERE...
Between Sesame's new green Elmo and Nick's Big Green Help, the children's media and marketing industries are going green in a big way this Earth Day. Or are they? In today's Huffington Post, CCFC's Susan Linn and Josh Golin lay out the harms inherent in the environmental lessons promoted by companies whose profits depend on inculcating consumerism in children.
In the coming year, CCFC will work to make the connections between marketing to children and environmental degradation more explicit.
A link to the article is below. Happy Earth Day!
Marketing Earth Day (and Other Stuff) to Children
By Susan Linn and Josh Golin
Have you done your Earth Day shopping yet? Between greeting cards, jewelry, mugs, and teddy bears commemorating the day, its roots in environmental activism have all but been forgotten. Now corporations use Earth Day to sell us on the belief that we can buy our way into ecological sustainability. We can't.
Reducing consumption is essential to preserving the earth's resources and preventing its degradation. The same companies that are painting themselves green depend on the profits they earn convincing us to buy more than we need.
Nowhere is this more obvious, and more troubling, than in the world of children's media and marketing, where companies like Disney, Sesame Workshop, and Nickelodeon are eco-marketing as never before.
Read the rest HERE...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
wake up...freak out...then get a grip
Some people call me extreme, obsessed even, in my quest for honest information to help myself and others make better decisions. While I may not have figured out the best way to communicate, I'll remain faithful to being as honest as possible and hope that those who also care about making important changes are more concerned with the content of the message rather than how it is being delivered.
And until I can come up with a more creative way that will interest and inspire, I'll continue to share work of those who do a much better job than I do, such as this film by Leo and friends from the Royal College of Art.
Personally, I'm past the "wake up" stage and am neck deep in the "freak out" stage, trying to figure out how to get to the "get a grip & take action" stage. Any help and support is appreciated.
And until I can come up with a more creative way that will interest and inspire, I'll continue to share work of those who do a much better job than I do, such as this film by Leo and friends from the Royal College of Art.
Personally, I'm past the "wake up" stage and am neck deep in the "freak out" stage, trying to figure out how to get to the "get a grip & take action" stage. Any help and support is appreciated.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
the shift towards sustainability - important ideas
A friend forwarded me this article today that discusses the idea and presents examples of businesses changing their models to promote sustainable consumerism.
Taboo Talk in Business: Buy Less Stuff
I am so glad these conversations are finally taking place in more corners of cyberspace.
This discussion is tied to another concept, and challenge that my husband and I, along with some friends are considering taking, talked about here:
Buying Nothing New for One Year
While we'd look to buy used, make our own, or do without whenever possible, we would also aim to support only companies who offer eco-friendly and socially responsible products, and that conduct their business in an ethical and sustainable manner. We already have started doing this, but why not make it official?
I am starting to feel like more people are really making the connection and recognizing that a business model and consumption pattern that are dependent on the exploitation of human and natural resources cannot be sustainable and should not be acceptable.
Are you feeling an albeit slow but major paradigm shift?
Taboo Talk in Business: Buy Less Stuff
I am so glad these conversations are finally taking place in more corners of cyberspace.
This discussion is tied to another concept, and challenge that my husband and I, along with some friends are considering taking, talked about here:
Buying Nothing New for One Year
While we'd look to buy used, make our own, or do without whenever possible, we would also aim to support only companies who offer eco-friendly and socially responsible products, and that conduct their business in an ethical and sustainable manner. We already have started doing this, but why not make it official?
I am starting to feel like more people are really making the connection and recognizing that a business model and consumption pattern that are dependent on the exploitation of human and natural resources cannot be sustainable and should not be acceptable.
Are you feeling an albeit slow but major paradigm shift?
a failed attempt to verify a company's claims
(update: buyer beware - 6 Sins of Greenwashing)
Consumer Lesson 101: Do not trust any company who asks for money or personal information before they are willing to provide basic answers about its people and products.
If someone says something along the lines of, "Hey Teresa, I know you're on the lookout and like to support/recommend planet-friendly companies. I see you recently posted concerns about the blood diamond industry. Check out Diamond Nexus Labs because they claim to be conflict-free, ethical and environmentally-friendly," you can be sure I will check them out before recommending them to anyone.
I emailed some folks at Diamond Nexus Labs (based in Wisconsin) and asked them for some information that was not readily available on their website, such as who owned/operated the company, and if they would explain some conflicting information I had noticed about them in my research.
Click HERE to read the full tale of discovery and annoyance.
Consumer Lesson 101: Do not trust any company who asks for money or personal information before they are willing to provide basic answers about its people and products.If someone says something along the lines of, "Hey Teresa, I know you're on the lookout and like to support/recommend planet-friendly companies. I see you recently posted concerns about the blood diamond industry. Check out Diamond Nexus Labs because they claim to be conflict-free, ethical and environmentally-friendly," you can be sure I will check them out before recommending them to anyone.
I emailed some folks at Diamond Nexus Labs (based in Wisconsin) and asked them for some information that was not readily available on their website, such as who owned/operated the company, and if they would explain some conflicting information I had noticed about them in my research.
Click HERE to read the full tale of discovery and annoyance.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
if i can't beat 'em, green 'em
Gift Ideas - if you can't buy used, or offer something homemade, consider supporting the marketplace of eco-friendly and ethically produced items at World of Good. I am loving their Trustology Guide which helps to verify product claims.
Gift Wrapping - aim for zero waste, reusing tape-free reusable/recyclable items. Get inspired by these designers who entered the Future Present competition. I should have taken a photo of the sock my stepdaughter used to wrap my organic hemp winter hat and submitted it!
Gift Cards - quirky, customizable, and no one and nothing was harmed in the creation and sending of these e-cards (as far as I can tell).www.rattlebox.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
eye-popping numbers...stop this runaway train
(copied from the CCFC's latest email newsletter)
The Commercialization of Childhood Index*
$500,000,000,000: The amount of money in purchases that children under twelve influence every year.
$17,000,000,000: The amount of money spent to market to children, a staggering increase from $100 million in 1983.
$3,400,000,000: Revenue generated by the Disney Princess brand in 2006. There are 40,000 Disney Princess items on the market today.
1,200,000,000: Toys sold with kids' meals at fast food restaurants in 2006.
20,000,000: Baby Einstein videos sold by Disney through 2006. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under two.
200,000: The acts of violence, including 40,000 murders, that the average child will see on television by the time they are eighteen.
25,000: Ads on television the average 2-11-year-old sees on television every year, a figure that does not include product placement.
4,151: The number of product placements on the first thirty-eight episodes of American Idol.
$50 or more: The donation from you that will help us fight all of the above. We rely on you because we will not compromise our commitment to children by taking money from corporations. All donations of $125 and up will be matched by an anonymous donor. But any amount is appreciated. To make a tax deductible donation please visit: www.commercialfreechildhood.org/donate
*All statistics cited are taken from CCFC's downloadable fact sheets: http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/factsheets/facts.htm
The Commercialization of Childhood Index*
$500,000,000,000: The amount of money in purchases that children under twelve influence every year.
$17,000,000,000: The amount of money spent to market to children, a staggering increase from $100 million in 1983.
$3,400,000,000: Revenue generated by the Disney Princess brand in 2006. There are 40,000 Disney Princess items on the market today.
1,200,000,000: Toys sold with kids' meals at fast food restaurants in 2006.
20,000,000: Baby Einstein videos sold by Disney through 2006. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under two.
200,000: The acts of violence, including 40,000 murders, that the average child will see on television by the time they are eighteen.
25,000: Ads on television the average 2-11-year-old sees on television every year, a figure that does not include product placement.
4,151: The number of product placements on the first thirty-eight episodes of American Idol.
$50 or more: The donation from you that will help us fight all of the above. We rely on you because we will not compromise our commitment to children by taking money from corporations. All donations of $125 and up will be matched by an anonymous donor. But any amount is appreciated. To make a tax deductible donation please visit: www.commercialfreechildhood.org/donate
*All statistics cited are taken from CCFC's downloadable fact sheets: http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/factsheets/facts.htm
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
but if you have to buy something...
**This post has been updated/modified**
On "Black Friday" or rather, "Buy Nothing Day" we were visiting family in the Washington, DC area...and we bought something. Gasp.
We went to the Museum of the Native Indian and picked up a couple of these fair trade ocarinas from the museum store, since they happen to be on my stepdaughter's holiday wish list (so we saved some shipping miles). We then had lunch at this local independent restaurant. We walked for what felt like an eternity until we found something that was not a huge faceless restaurant chain. The atmosphere, staff and food were awesome.
The whole point of Buy Nothing Day, if nothing else, is to make you stop and think before you buy (if you even need to buy at all). The intent is not to ruin the economy and put people out of work but to make consumers, retailers and producers take a moment to realize that we exploit fellow human beings and our earth through the choices we make.
And it would be nice to come to a point where that didn't happen anymore.
...consider buying used first...to use up the junk we've already produced...check out used book stores, consignment shops, craigslist or some local online reusable materials exchange...
and if you have to buy new and can't make it yourself...consider some of these options (to name a few) and keep an eye out for fair trade, organic, natural, safe, recycled, reused/reclaimed, zero waste, local, sustainable items:
SustainLane Directory
Happy Hippie Eco-Friendly Retail Directory
eConscious Market
plucky tree
global exchange
speesees
Eco Toy Town
If you find more, let me know. And keep in mind, not all things "green" and "natural" are created equal. Read the About Us sections, contact the companies directly, find out what's in the product, how it was made, who made it, and what to do with it when you're done with it.
Here's a quick email that I send to many companies if I can't find answers on their website or am unsatisfied with the info they provide:
I generally don't accept their first response and always have more questions, which usually starts an interesting discussion. Try it.
On "Black Friday" or rather, "Buy Nothing Day" we were visiting family in the Washington, DC area...and we bought something. Gasp.
We went to the Museum of the Native Indian and picked up a couple of these fair trade ocarinas from the museum store, since they happen to be on my stepdaughter's holiday wish list (so we saved some shipping miles). We then had lunch at this local independent restaurant. We walked for what felt like an eternity until we found something that was not a huge faceless restaurant chain. The atmosphere, staff and food were awesome.
The whole point of Buy Nothing Day, if nothing else, is to make you stop and think before you buy (if you even need to buy at all). The intent is not to ruin the economy and put people out of work but to make consumers, retailers and producers take a moment to realize that we exploit fellow human beings and our earth through the choices we make.
And it would be nice to come to a point where that didn't happen anymore.
...consider buying used first...to use up the junk we've already produced...check out used book stores, consignment shops, craigslist or some local online reusable materials exchange...
and if you have to buy new and can't make it yourself...consider some of these options (to name a few) and keep an eye out for fair trade, organic, natural, safe, recycled, reused/reclaimed, zero waste, local, sustainable items:
SustainLane Directory
Happy Hippie Eco-Friendly Retail Directory
eConscious Market
plucky tree
global exchange
speesees
Eco Toy Town
If you find more, let me know. And keep in mind, not all things "green" and "natural" are created equal. Read the About Us sections, contact the companies directly, find out what's in the product, how it was made, who made it, and what to do with it when you're done with it.
Here's a quick email that I send to many companies if I can't find answers on their website or am unsatisfied with the info they provide:
Hello,
Just wondering where your products are made, if they are fair trade, environmentally-friendly and non-toxic?
Thanks,
Teresa
I generally don't accept their first response and always have more questions, which usually starts an interesting discussion. Try it.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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