Green Works Update
Last week I wrote about the new line of green cleaning products launched by Chlorox on January 14th. As per usual, I took a pretty happy-go-lucky approach with the post, pleading ignorance when it came to comparing the eco-friendliness of Green Works with some of the other established green cleaning products out there.
Thankfully, Siel (a.k.a ‘Green LA Girl‘) has come to my rescue by sharing a link to an article she wrote (about Green Works) on her L.A. Times blog.
Here is a blurb:
Of course, the launch of a green line from a company known for committing many eco-sins brings up concerns from environmentalists. One is that while this Green Works line is green, most of Clorox’s $4.8 billion family of cleaning and household products is not. In fact, the “conventional” Clorox products don’t even list their ingredients (the Green Works line does) — which include toxic, petroleum-derived chemicals. The fear is that the Green Works line will give the entire Clorox company an undeserved green halo.
And there’s also concern over the fact that Clorox — by paying an undisclosed fee based partly on sales — gets to use the Sierra Club logo. That logo is not on any other cleaning product, which makes Clorox’s Green Works look supergreen. However, Clorox’s Green Works is hardly the greenest product on the market. As Collin Dunn of Treehugger points out, Green Works products still include some petroleum-derived ingredients; Dunn concludes that “Green Works is better than a conventional alternative, but not perfect.”
I highly recommend you check out the full article: Clorox launches a green cleaning line with the Sierra Club’s logo. It provides good points from both sides of the debate (apologies if the blurb seems a tad one-sided).
Our big theme here at EcoSherpa is the idea of ‘regular joe environmentalism’ (aka ‘environmentalism for the masses’), so I happen to agree that some good can come from this launch based on the fact that it will effectively put more eco-friendly (or at least, friendlier) products in the hands of the non-treehugger public - helping to foster more environmental awareness in general (which can lead to bigger and better things).
The big problem with ‘eco’ stuff is that it’s often not widely available (although that seems to be changing quite quickly) and it can be quite expensive as well. SO, a lot of people just won’t bother! (unfortunate, but true)
Anyway, thats just my take on it!
Thanks again, Siel!
Technorati Tags: green cleaning, green works, chlorox, method, shaklee, seventh generation
Written by Bentley on January 21st, 2008 with
2 comments.
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#1. March 23rd, 2008, at 3:57 AM.
Good article…nice to see both sides. Agree with you that lots of people need the solution (eco friendly cleaners) pushed in front of them before they’ll buy. At least with Green Works there is a “better” alternative in front of the masses on the store shelf. The next step is to make your own cleaners and it REALLY is very simple. Want to clean the floors, pour a little vinegar in a pail with some warm water…that’s it! There are a number of similar, very simple “recipes” for homemade eco friendly cleaners at greenterrafirma.com/cleaners.html … if you want to go the next step.
Thanks,
Bruce.