Recently, I was sent a Marcal Small Steps “family starter kit” to review. At first I thought, “Oh, another company jumping on the “green” bandwagon.” I was wrong. It turns out that Marcal has been using recycled paper to produce their tissue and towel products since 1950. Why didn’t I know that? I initially accepted the products to review simply because my husband already buys this line at our local grocery store. He doesn’t buy it because it’s earth-friendly. He buys it because it’s less expensive than its competitors! Also, it works just as well as other leading brands. Marcal is a great example of a company that helps people to “go green” at value prices.
Using the Marcal products made me think of a question that I have been asking myself lately when it comes to companies that produce green/earth-friendly products. How green is green enough? I have mixed thoughts.
Initially, I only liked method products, because the entire company is based on making environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Then, people began to tell me that there were similar companies (such as Seventh Generation) that were available at lower price points. I tried them out too. Their packaging isn’t as attractive as method’s, but the products work really well and the company also has deep convictions about being green. The Seventh Generation brand also has a wider variety of green products. Since then, I have come across several other lines that are not only effective but also earth-friendly.
Now, I have more to add to the equation. Larger companies are making natural cleaning lines (like The Clorox Company’s Green Works™ Cleaners). So far, I have declined offers to review such products because I have been conflicted regarding whether or not I want to support large companies jumping on the “green” bandwagon since it is a popular focus at the moment. Meanwhile – as one of my truly green friends said, “It’s the same company that makes bleach!” My dilemma: Is it better for a company to be a “little green” rather than not green at all? Do I only feel comfortable promoting green products from companies that are wholly committed to earth-friendly products?
So far, I only have questions – no real answers yet. For the record, I don’t profess that we are a green family. I consider myself “light green” – as in I prefer to do what’s best earth-wise as long as it doesn’t take an exorbitant amount of extra time, energy or money. Then again, I don’t say that this is a “green blog”… My conclusion: It’s not easy being green. Do I wish that all companies would go as green as (reasonably) possible across their entire product lines? Yes. Meanwhile, I guess that I’ll just have to go with my conscience on a case by case scenario.
What are your thoughts regarding companies with green product lines? Is it “all or nothing” or do you pick and choose based on price and other factors?
