Happy Earth Day!

April 22, 2008

This year, Earth Day, which has now become as mainstream as the rest of us who have broken the 30-year old ceiling, is receiving more attention than in decades. The truth is that we all seem to hang on every "sustainability" message that retailers and brands are pushing our way. Long before the environment was fashionable a man by the name of John McConnell created Earth Day "to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment and its resources." Unfortunately, just like the confusion that surrounds nutritional claims, the words environment, green and sustainability is also tainted with mixed messages. So what’s the truth?

Reality is that no one yet knows for sure, yet. And that could lead to lots of opportunistic and over eager marketing that does little to protect or enhance the planet – but much to line the pockets of the brands.

Just as we do when it comes to health claims, when we see a package touting a green benefit, we need to read further to find out just what that means. The trend seems to be focused on the natural, organic or local benefits that are inherent in certain foods. But there is a lot more to sustainability. If we are truly going to change the environmental impact wee need to be talking about air, water, land and of course, our farming. It appears, according to a just released study from The Hartman Group, that for the consumer its all about "lowering risks to ourselves, our communities and the planet through various air, water and environmental pathway."

Hartman asked consumers to describe which sustainability activities they currently participate in:
• 76% of these consumers say they turn off the faucet to conserve water while brushing their teeth (and 4% say they "plan to do this soon")
• 73% regularly donate household items to community or non-profit outlets (and 8% say they plan to soon)
• 65% believe sustainability is achieved by purchasing compact fluorescent light bulbs
• 27% believe sustainability is achieved through composting kitchen and yard waste Hartman also asked consumers to describe which sustainability products they currently own or might purchase in the future:
• Water filters: are currently owned by 45% of consumers in the World of Sustainability (with another 18% saying they hope to "buy this soon")
• Natural household cleaning products: are currently owned by 32% of consumers in the World of Sustainability (with another 23% saying they hope to "buy this soon")
• Household air purifiers: are currently owned by 27% of consumers in the World of Sustainability (with another 16% saying they hope to "buy this soon")

What are you doing to reduce the impact that you and your family are having on the environment? Share your thoughts and ideas, and send me an email at Phil@SupermarketGuru.com and if we use your ideas in a future column we will send you a Supermarket Guru canvas tote bag as a thank you!

Posted on Tuesday 4/22 by Barbara
We compost left over food.Then use the soil after for our plants. We burn wood in effient wood stove. Burn only dry seasoned wood that is not wet at all. We use energy effient light bulbs. Use enviromentily safe cleaners. Turn lights off when we don't need them on. We pay attention to what we buy and eat and how it has been processed. I have lost in the last 2 and half years 127 pounds gone from a size 22 to a 12. I ate well but needed to pay attention to quanity. I am amazed at how easy it was once I got started. I just cut everything in half or thirds. So i could have 3 meals out of 1. No great diet just amounts. That in itself is a good earth day example eat heathy and you can enjoy life heathy. Giving back to the earth. Love your news articles. B.K.

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