From Guest Blogger Cherie: Companies Going Green — Four Retailers Making Environmentally Friendly Products
If Cody Lundin had his way, Americans wouldn’t use any paper products. While the Discovery Channel’s “Dual Survival” star helps individuals live off the land in a more Aboriginal method, some industries, specifically paper product producers, are starting to do their part in improving production methods for the greater, greener good.
Here’s how four companies have improved their processes and products in an effort to reduce water usage and provide greener purchasing options to the eco-conscious consumer:
Overnight Prints
OvernightPrints.com is an online service that prints a variety of paper products, from postcards and brochures to address labels and calendars. The company uses a process that is environmentally friendly and uses recycled paper that is processed without chlorine, and it is certified by Green Seal and backed by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
By doing away with lithographic printing—a standard in the printing industry—and converting to waterless printing, Overnight Prints has been able to cut down on emissions, simplify its manufacturing process and cut down startup waste, while improving quality and producing excellent products.
PeopleTowels
PeopleTowels, a company that produces reusable, lightweight towels, boasts not only an environmentally friendly product but a fashionable one, at that. The company believes their towels cut down on paper towel waste, which, according to their website, is responsible for more than 3,000 tons of waste a day in America and kills close to 20 trees just to make one ton of product. These reusable towels can be designed to the customer’s liking, providing a more slick look than the plain, white towel.
EcoPalm
EcoPalm produces a product that even Lundin himself would be proud to use: biodegradable dinnerware. EcoPalm’s plates, bowls and utensils are made from palm tree husks. The company doesn’t cut down any trees, either; the husks they use are ones that have fallen from their trees naturally.
Though each individual plate is pricey—ranging from $6 to $9—they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they’re durable enough to use multiple times. There’s even a heart-shaped plate for romantic occasions. And the best thing about them? You can toss them out knowing they will simply biodegrade.
Ikea
“The Ikea Way” isn’t just about getting quality products at a low price or knocking down your list of home items all in one place. The Swedish company also promotes ways to create a sustainable home and make the most out of renewable energy.
The company boasts it’s producing more products that cut down the overall use of water and energy and production of waste. According to Ikea.com, its products were 32 percent more energy-efficient than similar products on the market. The company claims that almost all of its products are made from recycled or renewable material, and it’s pursuing a plan to use only recyclable or renewed materials in all their products by 2015.
Now let me get this straight.
You recommend buying pricey biodegradable plates for 6 to $9 a pop? I can think of quite a few other uses for that kind of money that would actually make a contribution to a cleaner environment. I would buy a set of attractive durable plates that can be reused hundreds if not thousands of times for less money.
Then I would take a few bucks remaining from the initial savings to build or buy a compost structure for recycling the table scraps.
After you are all set with your own do-good lifestyle you can pump the continuing savings into a feeding program for the homeless or a 3rd world village that needs a potable water well.
You really need to think through the economics of these proposals that look good on the surface but will not stand up to the reality of the market place.
Would have to agree with you Larry…but then most folks who follow Lundin seem to be the type the take body image and Status quo far to seriously, and they don’t really use their brains much. The rest just seem to be trolls and people in sorry need of attention just like Cody. I am not the author of this article but have had on of Lundin’s followers troll and use my name, so be advised of Cody’s promotions army using their brand of integrity. Which may or may not be the case here. (same as using the unfortunate circumstances and heart string tugs of third world countries as a selling ploy. People should do the right thing because it is the Right thing..and use their heads while doing it..guess some just can’t multitask. 🙂 ) Cody may live green but uses tree bark for disposable plates, not because he is Green, but because he is a cheapskate. Cody Loves Green in the bank…and the author of this article, Well… I’m sure Cody’s been happy to take her money too. These companies listed are a bit wasteful, otherwise..I’m wondering who got paid to advertise for them by writing for this blog piece and why they cant use their Sir name….another of “Cody’s cowards” perhaps?