THINKING GREEN WHEN BUYING WIDGETS:
Why buy "green"?
Unless you have been living on a deserted island, you will have noticed an increased interest in "green" products. Companies are constructing ecologically friendly buildings, with energy saving features and interiors finished with materials made from recycled or renewable resources. Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, are in high demand. And nearly every school child in America, the next generation of consumers, has had some kind of environmental education according to American Demographics magazine. Obviously, "green" has become a part of the American vocabulary and psyche.
What constitutes "green"?
When evaluating products, it's important to understand the terms used to describe the "green-ness" of a product. Here's a brief outline of terms:
- Biodegradable: the item will break down through natural means such as bacteria causing decay. However, a product that claims to be biodegradable may only be partly so.
- Photodegradable: breaks down when exposed to light; however, this cannot occur if the product is buried in a landfill.
- Post-consumer content: made from waste generated by consumers in their consumption of goods.
- Pre-consumer content: made from indusctrial waste generated by the in the production of goods, such as plastic scraps and material fibers.
- Recycled: product contains a percentage of recycled or reclaimed materials. The exact percentage can vary widely.
- Recyclable: products can be reclaimed , in part or in whole, through various processes.
But don't stop thinking "green" with the product itself. It might be possible to imprint using soy inks instead of petroleum-based inks. And remember the packaging. Giving an enviromentally friendly widget packed in plastic bubble wrap or foam peanuts sends a mixed message to the recipient.
Is going "green" worth the extra effort?
Absolutely, if that's the part of the message you wish to communicate. First, there are lots of product options available to you (a few are shown along the right side this page). Second, the difference in price between a "green" and "non-green" widget is sometimes insignificant or non-existent; the few extra cents can be very worthwhile when you consider the extra mileage you gain from being recognized as environmentally conscious.
So join firms like Lockheed Martin, Paine Webber and Cigna Healthcare who have already discovered that "going green" can be environmentally responsible and economically viable.