Ever since green got so chic, reporters have been inundated with pitches from businesses that want press for their green practices. The Austin-American Statesman addresses this in its eco-blog this week. Asher Price writes, “Broadly speaking, of course, these efforts are to be applauded. But many of these businesses are doing what you or I might do: They change their lightbulbs or they put more insulation in their roofs.”

Price mentions a local dentist who wanted media coverage for keeping an energy-efficient building, water system, and lighting fixtures. The dental office obviously got the attention it wanted. But as more businesses go green, what constitutes a newsworthy environmental practice? Of course, the answer is complicated. Large corporations have deep ecological footprints, so their practices will naturally garner more coverage — and scrutiny — than small businesses. Yet small companies often have the freedom to experiment with more innovative green technology.

Any thoughts on what makes a newsworthy green practice now?

Green News for the week of 02.26.08

Another blow to the alternative car industry. USA Today reports, while plug-in hybrid cars reduce gasoline consumption, the vehicles might actually increase air pollution. The technical explanation, “That’s because a plug-in’s lower tailpipe emissions may be offset by smokestack emissions from the utility generating plants supplying electricity to recharge the big batteries that allow plug-ins to run up to 40 miles without kicking on their gasoline engines.” According to the article, General Motors, Toyota, and Ford still have plans to roll-out battery powered prototypes in the next few years.

Also: The Environment Report asks, if Clorox is committed to the environment and its Green Works line is just as effective as its signature products, why not eliminate the conventional products and become an entirely green brand? Clorox responds, as long as there are consumers who want Pine-Sol and bleach — it’ll keep selling them.

Minnesota considers a ban on certain chemicals in children’s products.

Ralph Nader for the presidency to either the delight or dismay of environmentalists.

GREEN NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF 02.18.08

The beef industry was faced with its largest recall in the United States after undercover video showed workers abusing cattle, prompting officials to recall 143 million pounds of meat. Now the beef industry and animal rights groups are sparring about the scandal in the media, according to the .

Also:

The Associated Press reports, “the acting chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission lashed out Monday at the toy industry for a lack of safety controls that led to a string of highly publicized recalls.”

The Hartford Courant reports on the challenge of drawing young people to some sects of the green movement. The article says, “Fearful of a loss of relevance, concerned they might lose influence in shaping state policy, long-established groups like the Connecticut Audubon, the Connecticut chapter of the Sierra Club and the Connecticut Forest & Park Association are now reaching out to attract younger members, employees and board members.”

Read more »

GREEN NEWS FOR THE WEEK 02.11.08

The Spirit of Organic

Boulder Weekly reports on the controversy surrounding Aurora Organic Dairy, which was allegedly in violation of 14 federal organic regulations and has faced a series of lawsuits. The article reports, “Controversy is not new to Aurora. Almost from the moment Mark Retzloff and Marc Peperzak left Horizon Organic to launch Aurora in 2003, critics have questioned just how ‘organic’ its milk really was. Aurora’s size was the first thing to draw attention.”

Green Computing: It’s about saving money, not the environment

And the Economist.com reports, “Green computing is one of the latest fads in the digital domain. Often, it’s dressed up as corporate responsibility and used as a marketing tool. Corporate computer-users may talk about reducing their carbon footprint to slow global warming, but what they really mean is finding ways to slash their electricity bills…Google built its latest data centre on the Columbia River in Oregon so it can tap cheap hydroelectric power. Microsoft has done much the same in Washington state, and HSBC just built a data center next to Niagara Falls.”

Also:

ABC News reports, Wal-Mart, Target, and other chains continue to sell baby bottles made with controversial chemical BPA

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Yalmaz Siddiqui, environmental strategy advisor for Office Depot, has worked closely on the company’s green efforts. In April, he will participate in launching the company’s new brand, Office Depot Green. Siddiqui agreed to answer a few questions via e-mail for Target Green.

Target Green: Which do you feel garnered more media interest: Office Depot’s three-phase plan to make its stores energy-efficient or its launch and expansion of eco-friendly office products?

Siddiqui: In 2007, the mainstream media had a strong focus on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints. There was also a significant shift in public interest in the topic of climate change. In this media context, Office Depot’s announcement of a dramatic 10.1% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas emissions from our facilities was, hands down, our biggest green media story of 2007.

This achievement resulted from a number of environmental initiatives, including the retrofit of the lighting in all of our stores to T5 Energy-Efficient Lighting and the installation of energy management systems across our chain of more than 1,200 stores. What was also noteworthy about Office Depot’s carbon footprint reduction was that we achieved it notwithstanding a 4.5% growth in our store and warehouse facilities footprint. This news, combined with the fact that these initiatives helped Office Depot save approximately $6.2 million in electricity costs in one year, also garnered media interest. Office Depot was featured in a number of media outlets (business and consumer-focused) for the company’s leadership and our success in “being green” while “saving green.”

Target Green: Do you think greenwashing is going to be a problem for companies in 2008?

Siddiqui: There are certain green claims that are simply not defensible and it is critical that companies entering the green market need to know the current Federal Trade Commission Guidelines - and follow their upcoming FTC changes to avoid making non-defensible claims. But, just as companies need to be careful about “greenwashing,” so do the environmental organizations, product certifiers, and the media who are ready to label companies as greenwashers. These organizations need to do their homework on marketplace dynamics and consumer behavior.

Notwithstanding the media hype in 2007, the current product marketplace is simply not purely “green.” Case in point - in 2005, the most recent year for which there is data - only 6% of all printing and writing paper produced in North America contained ANY recycled content. Ninety four percent of printing and writing paper was virgin. With this marketplace insight, today a choice to buy paper with 10% recycled content is a choice to buy green. Companies need to be allowed to grow their green marketplace and take consumers on a journey up the continuum of shades of green. Only this will allow mainstream consumers to get over their historic hangover that “green” means expensive or low quality. To achieve a societal shift towards a greener future, we need to reward consumers and companies for small shifts in a greener direction. Labeling those small shifts as “greenwashing” will not help transform the market

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GREEN NEWS FOR THE WEEK 02.04.08

Manufacturers of children’s products faced another blow this week, following a study that found high levels of chemicals in infants that used baby cosmetics, like shampoo, powders, and lotions. The reports, “Representatives of the fragrance and cosmetics industries said they were surprised by the findings and questioned their validity. They said only one phthalate compound is used in baby products, and it is found in such low levels that they doubt it could explain high concentrations found in the babies.” Smearing the science behind the study is unlikely to comfort worried parents.

The Economist questions whether consumers understand the bigger picture when gravitating towards all things “natural” — including natural cigarettes. Most notably, “Such is the power of Mother Nature in the hands of marketers, conjuring images of heartwarming wholesomeness and rustic simplicity. ‘Natural’ products are a fast-growing market: worthy websites offer products such as ‘chemical-free’ soap (a contradiction in terms) or ‘detox diets’ designed to flush industrial poisons from their customers (doctors remain dubious about the benefits).”

Also:

According to TreeHugger, green fashions take hold at iconic shops, including Saks Fifth Avenue.

Former oil exec gas-guzzling SUVs.

Some major banks agree to limit financing to coal-fired power plants, says NPR.