- All Topics
Art & DesignAstrology & HoroscopesBeautyHacksBlogHer ConferencesBlogHers ActBody ImageBusiness, Career & Personal FinanceCarsEntertainment & BooksFashion & ShoppingFeminism & GenderFood & DrinkGreen & Eco-consciousHealth & WellnessHobbies, Crafts & DIYLawLifeMedia & JournalismMommy & FamilyPolitics & NewsRace, Ethnicity & CultureReligion & SpiritualityResearch, Academia & EducationSex & RelationshipsSocial change, Non-profits & NGOsSports & FitnessTechnology & WebTravelWorldWeb site - Blog Directory
Blogroll A-ZArt and Design BlogsBlogHer Conference BlogsBody Image BlogsBusiness, Career and Personal Finance BlogsCarsEntertainment and Books BlogsFashion and Shopping BlogsFeminism and Gender BlogsFood and Drink BlogsGreen and Eco-conscious BlogsHealth and Wellness BlogsHobbies, Crafts and DIY BlogsLaw BlogsLife BlogsMedia and Journalism BlogsMommy and Family BlogsPolitics and News BlogsRace, Ethnicity and Culture BlogsReligion and Spirituality BlogsResearch, Academia and Education BlogsSex and Relationships BlogsSocial Change and Nonprofits BlogsSports and Fitness BlogsTechnology BlogsTravel BlogsWorld Blogs
- Conferences
- BlogHerAds
- Special Offers
- Using This Site
A Light greening of Office Depot
by greenlagirl
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]
BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.
Comments
Define "green"
Siel - REI has a new eco-label as well. I wonder who determined the level of greeness and how it was measured. Was it a balanced group or the marketing department?
Kudos for the big boxes for trying, but seller beware, we can see through the greenwash.
The Aussies just blasted Woolworth for not coming clean on their green toilet paper being forest safe. They wanted proof, and Woolsworth couldn't provide it. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/23/2013650.htm
That's why I'm on the Sustainable Standards band wagon. It's the only way to get quantifiable evidence for accountability.
Mary
www.inwomenwetrust.com
The green bandwagon
I think a lot of big companies are jumping to label a product, initiative, or idea as "green" just because it is good PR and may lead to greater sales. If you'll pardon the pun, the environment is HOT right now!
Luckily, a lot of consumers (like yourself) do try to dig a little deeper and try to find products with recycled content, or reuse an item in a different way to give it new life.
We just need to go out and spread the word to the passive greenies. Even just pausing a moment and thinking "hey, do I really need this?" is a good start.
Lisa, blogging at mittenmusings
Even if the iniative isn't advertised
It's worthwhile to take a look around. I purchased some binders at Office Max this weekend and found a couple of options which allowed me to not only avoid yucky vinyl but were made from a high percentage of post consumer recycled material, are 100% recyclable, are biodegradable and contain no VOCs. Sweet.
And I don't have all the specifics available because they have no packaging. One binder had a sticker on it explaining all the details but I bought ones with no explanation and left the one for the next shopper to find.
Cutting through --
It's so great to see that many people can see through the hype of these companies. Yes, I heart that companies're going eco -- IF they're actually going eco. Grudgingly making 10% post-consumer paper then selling it as green isn't exactly eco-forward, as we agree here :)
On the folder front, Maria: If you live anywhere near a Whole Foods, you'll be glad to know that the super-eco company, Sustainable Group, has now got its goods into Whole Foods everywhere :)
greenlagirl.com