Green Products everywhere

We've talked several times in our forums about whether or not it's good or sufficient for large chains to "jump on the green bandwagon." Walmart in particlular started a great conversation weighing the advantages of their massive distribution with not wanting to support them because of larger scale harmful business practices, etc. Definitely worth reading.

But as I was wandering over to OfficeMax and Bed Bath and Beyond today to get some supplies for the luxurious Huddler HQ, I noticed that both stores are devoting signage and shelf space for green products. They still carry lots of non-green options, but particularly BB&B went out of their way to also do some educating on how much water can be saved, how much waste is saved with better packaging, etc. I was delighted. They haven't fleshed out the personal care products nearly as well as cleaning, but it's a great start.

The reality is, to get serious adoption, these options have to be just as convenient to find and buy...we're getting there. Anyone else seen some inspiring examples of mass-market adoption, or heinous examples of greenwashing around?

I had the same experience in Bed Bath and Beyond.  I got into their cleaning supplies area and man!  I was pleasantly surprised.  They actually have quite a bit of stock and variety.  And I do like their posters.

I haven't been in a Home Depot store lately but they also have a pretty bit Eco Options program.  Anyone know how that plays out in the store?

I haven't noticed, but then when I've been in Home Depot lately it's been to get stuff like wood and hardware.  What sort of products does their Eco Options program apply to?

Hi Deej,

Green is SUCH a good and noble cause. It has been so overwhelmingly embraced by marketing departments that it is actually getting nauseating. In almost every case with every product the label on tells you exactly what you want to hear - and it is typically not even close to the truth. I must point out a company that we won't see in the big stores. A company that rarely uses the terms green, organic, etc. They do use the terms truth, integrity, honesty and caring quite a bit though. This is a skin care and detergent company called NaturOli. They recently started carrying soap nuts. What I'd like to note here is to read a bit of what they discuss regarding the industries and marketing practices. There are some truly eye-opening reads if you drill into their site. ALSO, I hope you have read Stacey Malkin's book, "Not Just a Pretty Face." Stephen King could not be as scary on some issues. Ms. Malkin researched her book for seven years before publishing it. It really rocked my socks. Be prepared to be outraged and infuriated. What a world we live in, huh? Can't people learn to make money without the distortions and lies? WE MUST BE SMARTER THAN WE HAVE BEEN. We have the power to change things. It's a simple matter of choice - of choice in what we buy. Our dollars are the silver bullet. Let's use them wisely - and together we can make a REAL difference.

  Is this the best place for my question?  Don't know.  Looking for a great retractable, wall mounted outdoor clothes dryer.  One I saw in Gaiam catalog, then found it online cheaper.  Kept site in my favorites, waiting for $$ to buy.  A crash wiped it out with all my others.  It was about $250, held a lot of clothes.  Was one of those square strung types, so it didn't need another surface to hook to, like the parallel strung lines do.  Can anyone help me find this again???

Hm, I'm not sure which ones Gaiam was retailing.  They have one available for $79 but it looks like it's probably an indoor drying rack (wall-mounted, retractable).  Was it something along those lines or did it fold up and down against the wall?  We have a few listed in our clotheselines/drying rack category.  I'm sure we can figure it out!

It is wonderful to see green products being sold in regular stores. My local small town grocer is even carrying more green label cleaning products. I was even surprised to see the BioLet I installed this year being offered in Home Depot's product catalog.

I just hope one of the best green products I have seen this year, an air powered car, makes it on the market place. The history channel discussed this new car design this past week in the show Modern Marvels. This car is supposed to have about a 130 mile range and go as fast as 70 mph all on compressed air. To refuel you just plug it in. There is even a 'hybrid' model they discussed that uses air and gasoline to extend its range.

Was it the Air Car by Zero Pollution Motors/MDI?  It is a very cool car!

You should check out the Air Car Introduction wiki.

Thanks for the link, dana! I didn't know there were so many different models out there. It is a good point the wiki made about how an air power car is less efficient than an electric motor and battery system. Batteries, however as I understand, are quite expensive still. Last I heard, the car design was bought by a car manufacturer in India.

Yeah, the benefit of the air car is definitely cost.  They're not as efficient as electric cars, but they also don't have to worry about battery technology.

Hydrogen is the future and a lot of R & D is taking place . It's the most abundant energy on the planet .

A New Jersey company has taken the 93 year old technology of " Brown's Gas " , added some new inventions to maximize performence and economy . With phase #1 they " GUARANTEE " a 50% increase in fuel economy . They can do this because they are averaging 95% and in many cases tripple . With phase #2 they will promise 100 MPG on any SUV, V-8 engine or light truck . A typical 4 or 6 cylinder vehicle can travel from coast to coast on a single tank of gasoline . Phase #1 cost $1,095 plus installation , phase #2 will be about $2,500 plus installation . Phase #2 is awaiting CARB approval expected by year end . http://www.minimizefuelprice.com

These technologies do not require any infrastructure or storage tanks because it produces " hydrogen on demand ". With both phases installed it will reduce the use of fossil fuel by 85% or more and the only exhaust is water and oxygen . Some vehicles will get 100 MPG just from phase #1 and be satisfied . It all depends on how much driving a person does to justify phase #2 . A typical Ford F-150 light truck gets 12 to 16 MPG and can improve by nine ( 9 ) times . These modifications increase the value of the vehicle , increase the engine life , reduce engine oil contamination , keeps fuel injectors clean and more .

Ford Motor Company spent two months and millions testing 48 platforms for endurance 24/7 taking hourly readings and then ordered 48 more units to begin a phase #2 .The test results are not published , but would they have ordered units for further testing if not favorable ?

I would like to see all the different models of cars hit the market. Although it would be confusing with infrastructure differences, competition would be a good thing and help keep the largest problem with green vehicles under control: price. I know I cant afford a new gasoline powered car at current prices, let alone the price of a green vehicle.