The USDA is also establishing a voluntary labeling program under which makers and vendors of biobased products can attach USDA-approved labels. These labels will have logos to help consumers easily spot the products off shelves, as well as a statement of the product’s and/or its container’s biobased content. More information is found here – http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-17610.htm
This labeling program is necessary to dispel misleading claims.

-Pauline

We are teaching children that’s it “cool” to be “green” by taking some scraps fabric off the floor of a under-paid-labor manufacturing shop in China and sticking it on a piece of plastic and throwing in more plastic. Now that I type-out that statement it actually seems all the more absurd and comical. If Mattel really wanted to “make a difference” maybe they should research some biobased materials to pour into Barbie molds.

It’s little known, but all manufacturers have access to a database of biobased materials and raw goods. USDA’s has a relatively new BioPreferred program. The federal government offers procurements for biobased products and raw materials—and the Web Site list all maker/manufactures of bio-based products and raw materials. BioPreferred could do a better job promoting this program, but a consumer we can do a better job demanding biobased products.

Beth Davis

Sounds like greenwashing. Your point about the reuse of left over materials is on target. It seemed disingenuous for the VP of marketing at Mattel to play us for fools. Are they interested in the bottom line or in the environment? The answer to that question is obvious. Equally, I am not sure the last time I ran into a five year old that was environmentally conscious.

I have a question for your TerraChoice statistic referenced in your blog. I understand and agree with your point about Barbie BCause. Do you think that the dramatic increase in green products from 2007 to 2009 is mostly greenwashing as well? In the article you referenced from TerraChoice they state that 98% of the products were greenwashed. Is there “Seven Sins of Greenwashing” criteria to stringent?

Jason Merckling

I agree that many companies are participating in the green movement because it’s the “in” thing to do. This still frustrates me to no end. One thought that I’ve found comfort in, however, is that once you begin green practices, you tend to get sucked into the ideals behind the activities. I will admit, I originally started using my cloth grocery bags because they were A) Free and B) Being used by everyone else at my HyVee. In the first couple months after acquiring my bags, I forgot them at home when I went shopping more often than I remembered them and continued to collect plastic bags. Now, however, after realizing the point behind the bags, I refuse to shop without them and rarely forget. Maybe this will happen on a corporate level as well. Wishful thinking, but ya never know.

Bests,
Trey