When You're "Green," Instead of Green.

Green is the new Black.  Or the new 40.  It's the new fad in our American society, especially within celebrity circles and big business.  They want us all to know that they are doing their part to be Eco-Friendly.  Don't get me wrong, this is effing awesome.  Everything helps.  Even the evil empire Wal-Mart does their part.  It may seem contradictive to see organic goods at Wally World, but by them selling those products they're helping those organic companies to grow their sales and spread their purpose.  (thanks to Stonyfield Farms on the Food Inc. movie for enlightening us on this).

Wal-Fart is doing the small stuff by making an effort to offer sustainable goods at reasonable prices.  They're also doing the larger stuff.  Their website even mentions their efforts toward sustainability.  It states:

"At Walmart, we know that being an efficient and profitable business and being a good steward of the environment are goals that can work together. Our broad environmental goals at Walmart are simple and straightforward:

To be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy;
To create zero waste;
To sell products that sustain people and the environment."


That's pretty good stuff coming from one of the most hated, most recognizeable, wealthiest organizations in America. 

Many of this countries big businesses have set similar goals.  Whether the goals are set with actual care and concern for sustainability is yet to be determined.  Enter exibit A, my place of employement. 

They are a major player in this countries insurance market.  They have been a fortune 500 top 50 business for something like 15 years and can be found in every state including Alaska and Hawaii.  They preach their green efforts on a large scale, but I am a witness to the lack of efforts on the small level. 

Many of their buildings are LEED certified.  They have a fleet of Hybrid vehicles, and they make similar claims as the ones listed above pertaining to their eco goals.  That's all well and good and it's a step in the right direction, but as with any large company the majority of the actual "work" being done is done on the small scale and in the zone, regional, and local offices - where the term "green" only applies to the ficus tree in my office. 

The amount of paper wasted on a daily basis is enough to make a lumberjack cry.  In an electronic world, everything still needs a paper signature.  Each and every training session is done with a power point presentation that is also handed out in the form of a pamphlet resembling the Bible.  Styrofoam cups and plastic bottles litter the garbage cans.  Packaging is a joke.  Boxes the size of small children arrive and you're expecting something totally awesome but much to your surprise it's a packet of papers, 1/30th the size of the packaging. 

Many things fall on the shoulders of the employees like shutting off computers and lights at night (I'm looking at you LER and LB) and recycling within the office, but with more support from the enterprise individuals may be more willing to partake in such endeavors. 

Granted they have tried.  They have marketing materials available (more paper).  They use a "green" slogan for certain things.  And they have even created an internal interweb site available for employees with more information - but the site has not been updated since April...2009!!! 

This falls into the "talk the talk, walk the walk" mentality.  It's like the Preacher who sleeps around and does drugs in his free time.  Don't act like you're holier than thou when deep down inside you're full of rubbish.  It may look good on the surface, but we see through your lies, and unfortunately all that we can do is blog about it (although higher ups know my thoughts on it as well). 

Be real...not "real."  Later.