Comments on: My Thoughts on Green Consumerism

By: Oil painting portrait

Oil painting portrait — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:58:53 +0000

This reminds me of a famous shopping mall here in our place. In order to contribute to the 3R’s campaign of the local government, the mall encourages people to buy this green bag when they go shopping. The bag may be used and re-used every time a person goes shopping. In return, whoever uses this bag every time he or she goes shopping a certain amount of rebate is rewarded to the shopper.

By: baby

baby — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:06:50 +0000

I feel that many of these environmentalist fanatics that go overboard don’t have an understanding of economics and profitable business etc.
Yes, I’m not a fan of consumerism, but I am also not a fan of living in the middle ages. We have technology and products available to us; all that needs to happen is the products and things we use need to go green. Yes, we should buy less, and be frugal with our money… but if things were OK, I would have no problem with a guy who rides motorbikes on the weekends or still enjoys cars. MODERATION is the key here, and trying to make sure your EVERYDAY activities and products are environmentally friendly.

By: Natural Family Living Blog » Blog Archive » Green and Frugal Go Together

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:23:09 +0000

[...] hip dinner conversation, a few eco-friendly gadgets, and some new lightbulbs. Remember my post on green consumerism? BUT this is not the case with the [...]

By: Allie

Allie — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:41:37 +0000

You’re absolutely right. It’s a balance. If you’re going to buy, buy green, but think about reusing or repurposing first. Unfortunately, people don’t like to report on balance. They like to tip the scales. It makes for better headlines. But going green isn’t all or nothing, and when it’s reported that way, it scares people off or makes them feel that what they do isn’t important if they don’t go whole hog. Little steps can make a difference. Thank you for talking about the balance. Great post!

By: Mama K

Mama K — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:53:43 +0000

Great post.
Overall, it is a big marketing gimmick for most companies. But it still makes my life easier if I can find organic alternatives at my regular grocery store. Also it is more affordable to live “green” if mainstream companies are willing to put the products out there. I believe in voting with my dollar.
One glaring flaw with the critics arguments is that the kind of people that are the most wasteful consumers are generally not going to give two hoots if something is green or not. They are not going to seek out healther (more expensive) alternatives if they can go to the dollar store and get mass quantities of stuff. More is more to that kind of consumer.

By: distruk

distruk — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:39:08 +0000

I agree that our high rates of consumerism are not likely to decline anytime soon, but by replacing the things we regularly purchase with more eco friendly alternatives, we are taking small steps in a good direction. “Organic” has become a bankable trend these days, and with an established “Whole Foods market” already established and willing to pay the price for organic and sustainable products, Wal-Mart was smart to join in. We can only hope that other retailers will make the choice to offer green products.

By: Crafty Green Poet

Crafty Green Poet — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:14:36 +0000

I agree, we consume too much but we should buy greener, whatever it is we’re buying just as much as we should consume less.

By: Miss Malaprop - indie finds for your uncommon life » Blog Archive » Carnival of the Green # 90

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:15:15 +0000

[...] Green Tiffany Washko presents My Thoughts on Green Consumerism posted at Natural Family Living Blog, and Alex Ho compares Paper vs. Styrofoam vs. Plastic Cups to [...]

By: Aurelius

Aurelius — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:30:35 +0000

Or Walmart wants to give the impression of being enviro-friendly, so begins to sell organic produce?

By: Some articles that hit home for me from this week’s Festival of Frugality « I’ve Paid For This Twice Already…

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:55:31 +0000

[...] other is “My Thoughts on Green Consumerism” at Nature Moms. As a recovering “stuff” addict, I found this viewpoint refreshing and [...]

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:59:39 +0000

I have had this same thought myself Tiffany. We first have to think of the reuse, reduce aspect. If my 10 year old flannel sheets are working just fine, I would do better to keep using them rather than buy new organic sheets. Of course, for my next set, I’m glad I know where to get organic, and that they’re available!

By: Meredith

Meredith — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:23:46 +0000

I think they have a point about buying useless stuff. But I also think that if people buy green, we’re better off. It opens the green door to those who might not have changed at all. That’s a good thing. It’s what got me into the green movement initially. However, watch yourself at Walmart. There’s a difference between organic and natural, and Walmart has been blasted in the past for mislabeling items.