ECOSiZE Me

Ziploc Evolve: 25% Less Plastic But Still 75% Wrong

Have you heard of Ziploc Evolve plastic storage bags? They claim to be better for the environment.

• Made with a new resin blend, Ziploc Evolve uses 25% less plastic. (But remember 100% of plastic still comes from limited, finite and non-renewable resources (petroleum).
• Made using approximately 50% wind energy (for Ziploc Evolve manufacturing facility).
• Packaged in 100% recycled paperboard, using 35% post-consumer content.

Ziploc's efforts are 25% in the right direction but still fall 75% short on the environment. 

Why is it that Ziploc only makes the "Evolve" line "better" for the environment. Can we therefore say that their other products are "worse" for the environment? "Evolve" bags may be "better"...until they hit the landfill. Then they are the same as any other plastic storage bag. If Ziploc is truly concerned about the environment, wouldn't they make all of their products using the new, "better" for the environment formula?

Want a better choice all together? Then choose to reuse and ditch the disposable. Reusable food storage containers and reusable snack and sandwich bags are the eco-friendly way to go.

Missed Opportunity

I saw a Wal-Mart commercial on television this past weekend. It was an advertisement of how you could save money by shopping at their store and then packing your lunch instead of eating out on a daily basis.

Displayed in the commercial were a variety of items that they would have you use to pack a lunch. What was truly significant about the footage was that it contained a paper lunch bag (instead of a reusable lunch container) as well as a bottle of water (instead of a reusable drinking container). While I applaud the idea of packing your lunch instead of eating out, Wal-Mart misses the boat, economically and environmentally. Purchasing individual (disposable) bottled water and (disposable) paper lunch bags are not ways in which to be economical. Nor are they ways in which to be green.

What a missed environmental opportunity! Wal-Mart’s PR and advertising gurus fail to gain the respect of “green” shoppers. Their commercial silently and subtly speaks volumes about the company’s true commitment, or lack thereof, to our environment.

 

The Wal-Mart commercial is an indicator that environmental stewardship is not truly at the forefront of our society. That convenience and disposability take precedence over waste reduction and sustainability. This is truly an unfortunate circumstance. One that needs to be reversed.

 

 

 

Cash for Clunker (Refrigerators)

Take the time to read this article. Kudos to the State of MI and Michigan utility companies for taking a proactive approach in reducing energy consumption and moving toward energy efficiency.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090812/BUSINESS06/908120326/Clunker-refrigerator-rebate-program-hot

Wal-Mart Eco Mandate

I'll simply post one of the many links to this headline news...

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/07/16/wal-marts-eco-labeling-mandate

Take the time to read it and form your own opinion. I have lots of thoughts on Wal-Mart which I won't go into in this post. Suffice to say that all things outwardly green are not necessarily good once you dig deeper. I will commend the sentiment. But, I am not convinced that an eco-label mandate is the way to proceed.

Enter "Wal-Mart Eco Labeling" in your AOL Search Bar for more stories on the subject.

What are your thoughts?