Consumers yell “GREEN” but do they follow through?
Ok I have been trying to get in touch with my green side lately, recycling, being aware of what I use and what I am wasting etc. Now I may not be as green as some of you but I am taking baby steps. I have been doing some research and found some interesting facts.I found out a lot of consumers are screaming for companies to go green but the fact is they are not aware that their actions speak louder than their words. I noticed a lot of companies are down sizing packaging to create less waste and still have the same amount of products. They are trying to listen to what consumers want, but when it comes down to it and the consumer is looking at the products on the shelf next to their competitor something funny happens. Company A down sizes packaging but keeps the same amount of product. Company B has a larger pkg but the same amount of product as company A but lots of wasted packaging. The consumer will pick pkg B because it looks bigger therefore thinking they are getting more product. Are our eyes decieving us? Is our brain playing tricks on us? This is happening folks and some of us are to blame for companies not wanting to take the green inniative. I know for a fact that one company down sized packaging to go green and their sales tanked because consumers thought they were getting less product so they went back to bigger packaging.
“Also a lot of people are screaming “Green” and then do not buy the products. If you are not buying it the companies will stop selling it and therefore you miss the whole point of being green anyway.” Says Jennae from Green Your Decor
Some food for thought! What do you guys think?
I am guilty of that. I look at packaging and look for what looks like a better deal. I should start looking at the products better. I am a family of 5 so I try to get more for my money. I know I buy the smaller bottles of detergent that is supposed to be more concentrated. That’s really about all I look at. I do try to go green like you are a little at a time. I am watching what I cook for making sure less goes to waste and I am recycling things now. To be honest I never thought about checking the products out more throughly. I will start though. Thanks for the post.
I am guilty of that. I look at packaging and look for what looks like a better deal. I should start looking at the products better. I am a family of 5 so I try to get more for my money. I know I buy the smaller bottles of detergent that is supposed to be more concentrated. That’s really about all I look at. I do try to go green like you are a little at a time. I am watching what I cook for making sure less goes to waste and I am recycling things now. To be honest I never thought about checking the products out more throughly. I will start though. Thanks for the post.
I actually like the smaller packages. For laundry, I can get the same amount out of a small bottle of All and the big non-concentrate version, and the small bottle fits better in my laundry room cabinets.
It’s just a matter of reading what’s being offered.
I actually like the smaller packages. For laundry, I can get the same amount out of a small bottle of All and the big non-concentrate version, and the small bottle fits better in my laundry room cabinets.
It’s just a matter of reading what’s being offered.
Oops, and I meant to mention I saw you featured on the news here in the Northbay last night. Very interesting segment. I wish I knew about your blog sooner.
Oops, and I meant to mention I saw you featured on the news here in the Northbay last night. Very interesting segment. I wish I knew about your blog sooner.
From now on I will read labels carefully to see how much product I am getting for my money.Won’t just go by packaging.
From now on I will read labels carefully to see how much product I am getting for my money.Won’t just go by packaging.
I always look at how many ounces, grams, etc. I am getting and if it is close I will opt for the “green item” even though they are more expensive sometimes. I have the Arm and Hammer multi-purpose cleaner in the picture above and I love it.
I always look at how many ounces, grams, etc. I am getting and if it is close I will opt for the “green item” even though they are more expensive sometimes. I have the Arm and Hammer multi-purpose cleaner in the picture above and I love it.
I had thought they had did it becuase of the economy not becuase of going green.
I had thought they had did it becuase of the economy not becuase of going green.
As a general rule, I strictly go by unit pricing when making any kind of purchase. Other than that, going green in my home means using less product than instructions indicate, minimum buying products such as paper towels (use rags instead), making my own products using good old vinegar etc. formulas, and doing without altogether. It’s amazing how you’ve been marketed to believe you need items you can actually do without.
As a general rule, I strictly go by unit pricing when making any kind of purchase. Other than that, going green in my home means using less product than instructions indicate, minimum buying products such as paper towels (use rags instead), making my own products using good old vinegar etc. formulas, and doing without altogether. It’s amazing how you’ve been marketed to believe you need items you can actually do without.
As for myself, I buy the natural cleaners and the concentrated detergents. I also try to remember to use the reusable bags for stores, but what I find sometimes is that even the store employees don’t like to put my things in the reusable bags.
As for myself, I buy the natural cleaners and the concentrated detergents. I also try to remember to use the reusable bags for stores, but what I find sometimes is that even the store employees don’t like to put my things in the reusable bags.
I understand how a consumer could think that – Perhaps these companies need to emphasize the idea that their product is more concentrated, thus producing less waste. Knowledge is power, and if I dont know that (i.e. they just advertise it as “green”) then I can not make an informed decision.
I understand how a consumer could think that – Perhaps these companies need to emphasize the idea that their product is more concentrated, thus producing less waste. Knowledge is power, and if I dont know that (i.e. they just advertise it as “green”) then I can not make an informed decision.
It’s part of being an informed consumer. Figure not just price per ounce, but also the number of loads of laundry — or whatever — the different brands will cover. I don’t need to lug he extra weight of water and other fillers around in my reusable totes.
It’s part of being an informed consumer. Figure not just price per ounce, but also the number of loads of laundry — or whatever — the different brands will cover. I don’t need to lug he extra weight of water and other fillers around in my reusable totes.
I’ve noticed that the Pampers boxes got smaller. They used to be 18-1/2″ long; now they’re 14″. They went from 88 diapers per box to 82 (size 4 diapers). That’s only 6 diapers per box less, and a 4-1/2″ box decrease. They must really be smooshing them in there!
I’ve noticed that the Pampers boxes got smaller. They used to be 18-1/2″ long; now they’re 14″. They went from 88 diapers per box to 82 (size 4 diapers). That’s only 6 diapers per box less, and a 4-1/2″ box decrease. They must really be smooshing them in there!
I do buy green. My favorite cleaning product is Sun and Earth. But sometimes I make my own with vinegar, lemon juice and water.
I do buy green. My favorite cleaning product is Sun and Earth. But sometimes I make my own with vinegar, lemon juice and water.
I’ll take the smaller package any time, but only if it compares in size/amount to the competitors larger for the same value. If the item is packed in cardboard or recycled materials, I will buy that faster than the plastic. I’ve also started recycling all our plastic bags and foam egg cartons, and have noticed that the grocery stores don’t always like the “green” tote bags. The past few times they’ve filled the bags 3/4 full then started putting everything in plastic bags!
I’ll take the smaller package any time, but only if it compares in size/amount to the competitors larger for the same value. If the item is packed in cardboard or recycled materials, I will buy that faster than the plastic. I’ve also started recycling all our plastic bags and foam egg cartons, and have noticed that the grocery stores don’t always like the “green” tote bags. The past few times they’ve filled the bags 3/4 full then started putting everything in plastic bags!
With laundry detergent, companies are doing a really good job labeling with ’56 washes’ or whatever, so we can compare. Dishwasher tablets are another easy one. I’m wondering what kinds of products this new phenomenon is happening with. I’ve never noticed being swayed by the bigger package myself… not to say it hasn’t happened subconsciously. That’s something I’ll have to pay more attention to.
I will buy the green product even if it is slightly more expensive than a non-green one. But so far, I don’t seem to have any brand loyalty. I keep looking around until I find something on sale so that the price is close to what I would be paying for the non-green equivalent and I stock up.
With laundry detergent, companies are doing a really good job labeling with ’56 washes’ or whatever, so we can compare. Dishwasher tablets are another easy one. I’m wondering what kinds of products this new phenomenon is happening with. I’ve never noticed being swayed by the bigger package myself… not to say it hasn’t happened subconsciously. That’s something I’ll have to pay more attention to.
I will buy the green product even if it is slightly more expensive than a non-green one. But so far, I don’t seem to have any brand loyalty. I keep looking around until I find something on sale so that the price is close to what I would be paying for the non-green equivalent and I stock up.
Interesting! I think you’re right…people always want the best “deal” but aren’t taking all facts into consideration.
I saw “Consumer Queen” on my local news station the other night!! I was thinking “Hey, I know her!!”. Great job!
Interesting! I think you’re right…people always want the best “deal” but aren’t taking all facts into consideration.
I saw “Consumer Queen” on my local news station the other night!! I was thinking “Hey, I know her!!”. Great job!
I am obsessed with recycling. If someone throws away a plastic bottle, I actually go and take it out of the trash can. I feel guilty if I don’t. It took me a while to get used to it but eventually became part of my daily routine. I do pay attention at my local stores and I see the difference in size. And I do notice that to alot of people size does matter. But hopefully all the supermoms reading these comments will realize and see that we really need to help our enviroment.
I am obsessed with recycling. If someone throws away a plastic bottle, I actually go and take it out of the trash can. I feel guilty if I don’t. It took me a while to get used to it but eventually became part of my daily routine. I do pay attention at my local stores and I see the difference in size. And I do notice that to alot of people size does matter. But hopefully all the supermoms reading these comments will realize and see that we really need to help our enviroment.
I try to purchase green items and smaller containers and recyclable packaging. I also refuse to use the plastic bags offered at the grocery store. I tell the checkers that I don’t want any bags and to please put my groceries back into the cart. I keep my reusable bags in the car and I can put what I want into each bag. It takes a little more time to slep the groceries around like this. The folks at the store look at me like I have a third eye and often my receipt is checked at the door, however, I don’t have to find someplace to store those plastic bags nor do they end up in my garbage can. I’ll even forego plastic bags for the produce if I can get away with it.
I try to purchase green items and smaller containers and recyclable packaging. I also refuse to use the plastic bags offered at the grocery store. I tell the checkers that I don’t want any bags and to please put my groceries back into the cart. I keep my reusable bags in the car and I can put what I want into each bag. It takes a little more time to slep the groceries around like this. The folks at the store look at me like I have a third eye and often my receipt is checked at the door, however, I don’t have to find someplace to store those plastic bags nor do they end up in my garbage can. I’ll even forego plastic bags for the produce if I can get away with it.