Has anyone else noticed the comercialization of being GREEN and ORGANIC?

Question

I have been eating organic for a few years, and have been concerned with the earth and global warming many more. However, I am seeing bags and shirts, which are made very commercially in china and other countries, that say GO GREEN, and SAVE THE PLANET.

Is this the way to discredit truly being green into some fad?

I will not buy these items, because I don't need a shirt made in a sweatshop to show how much respect I have for our planet.

Answer 1

I don't care if something is "green". The only thing I care about is if it saves me money and safe.

Answer 2

This is not the first time being green has been a fad. i remember about 15 years ago it was big and then before that in the 80s and before that u had hippies. fads happen in cycles. it doesn't discredit or hurt the cause in any way. in fact it maybe the only thing that helps it. a very few people actually care about the earth UNTIL it becomes popular. they may then be doing it for the wrong reason but at least they r doing it. and in some cases these people will try ti and like it and stick with it for along time but the majority will only do it for as long as it is cool and then they will revert back to their old ways. for these people i feel that some green living is better then none at all.

Answer 3

I've noticed the same thing. I was shopping for recycled back to school supplies for a display and noticed several companies with pictures of forests and a little logo that looked very similar to the chasing arrows with a 100% in it. If you read the whole label it said 100% customer satisfaction.

I think it is annoying that companies that are still gross polluters or using virgin fibers are trying to lure consumers that are trying to make better choices. It can be daunting to have to read every label when you get started going green. It is well worth it to read and find companies that you can trust.

Answer 4

I'm so glad someone else thinks this too!!  

I was just saying this same thing to my husband the other day.

I completely agree.

Answer 5

i dont think so, i dont look it at that way, ...i think its just advertising for a cause that shouldve been brought up and out many years ago, its a good thing i think. This nation is long over due in doing anything about all the destruction man has caused. so be thankful that , no matter how they're advertising, fad or not, that more people are beginning to do something about it. i too, eat organic, have for years, ...So the more people that join in , the better, no matter how it comes about.

Answer 6

I know. It turned into a trend other than a cause. I only got one of those, but I didn't even get it because I was concererned about the government...I got it for a completely different reason. I will send money orders to three charities when the last one gives me the adress to send it to. Two of those charities are for endangered animals and saving the baby seals in Canada.

I was hugging tress long before this became a trend.

Answer 7

It has definitely become a commercial trend. I like to hope that it's worthwhile for the sake of visibility, but I'm afraid it just trivializes important issues.

Answer 8

Yes.. But I'm a little confused as to why you are annoyed by it.

The masses are influenced by the media... Everyone is finally starting to realize the dangers of global warming more than ever.

Answer 9

I AGREE THE WORLD NEEDS TO GO GREEN!

Answer 10

I have definitely noticed this, and quite frankly it pisses me off. It's kind of a bittersweet thing to me though.

Particularly in Wal-Mart, this really irritates me. On the one hand it seems like a good thing, and I am honestly grateful for it to a certain degree -- the more people are aware of the need to go green, and the more it seems "cool", the more people will do it. Naturally. However, as you mentioned these products most of the time do not help the environment whatsoever... they're simply money-making devices, and still support inhumane labor conditions all over the world.

For instance, No Boundaries now carries organic cotton T's... a nice first step, but I would much rather buy a shirt made by somebody being paid more than 15 cents an hour.

What we really need is a Green fad that doesn't lie to the public. Traditionally, people who are concerned about the environment have been the ones who have looked deeper into the labels on what they buy -- where it was made, what of, chemicals used, and so forth -- and educated themselves on what is and is not acceptable. When the industries are advertising their products as being green and backing those claims such that only ignorant consumers will buy their stories, not only do we have a bunch of not-very-green products being sold in masses, but we have the consumers believing that they're doing the planet a favor at the same time. (For example, many poultry farms will market their meat as having been "never administered hormones" while the use of hormones in raising poultry is federally prohibited. This label helps only their business, not the planet... and practices like this are far more common than most would imagine. Additionally, food labels such as "Natural" and "Organic" are seen as black and white determining factors for some people as to whether a product is eco-friendly; however most people who buy these products have no idea how minimal the requirements for these certifications are*.)

However, if this fad encourages people to do things like recycle, reduce, reuse -- the basics that we all know how to do -- then maybe some good will come out of it... but who knows whether the positives will outweigh the negatives, or vice versa?

What I would like to see is the popularization of some sweatshop-free, sustainable clothing line that sells shirts making it cool to quit eating factory farm meat... :)

Answer 11

Yeah I agree kinda weird. By the way look at this! He rocks! http://jollypeople.com/albums/jj37/MMage...

Answer 12

Yup I have noticed it everywhere. Especially in appliances and lightbulbs.

Answer 13

yes I have and you are completely right!

Answer 14

you're right, but global warming isn't actually happening! the news is feeding you lies, get better educated on global warming and you'll see!

Answer 15

Yep, you're right!

Answer 16

Yes!! I am a manager for a cosmetics line in a major American nationwide retailer, and I am seeing so much of this!! And I did a search for green clothing on find-green.info, and instead of only the normal eco-friendly items you can buy that show up, there are now brands that are not eco-freindly advertising their "green" fashion and latest "green" trends. It's sickening. See for yourself..