Green Spot

The “almighty” American Dollar Bill, a buck, the green slips of that odd substrate made of a linen and cotton that we exchange for goods and services and toil for 9 to 5, 40 hours a week. It’s green. At least it used to be, in color that is. These days it contains different shades of colors in its backgrounds and more intricate designs placed during the print process at the US Mint to slow counterfeiting. But as the title of this post says, there’s plenty of other substrates out there that are “green”, not in color, in eco-friendliness.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a non-profit and non-Government agency is an organization that encourages Forestry and Logging companies and workers to join its ranks and be an accredited FSC provider. The FSC was created out of a need to slow deforestation and ensure Forest lands and wood or paper product is distributed with the utmost care and with attentiveness towards the future of forests and the world. We spoke on reforestation in a prior blog and how China leads the way in that regard, and when companies gain FSC Certification, they not only help to raise the standards of wood and paper production, and help forests, but increase their brand equity as well. The FSC has a large amount of criteria that one must follow such as:

• Prohibit conversion of forests or any other natural habitat
• Respect of international workers rights
• Respect of Human Rights with particular attention to indigenous peoples
• Prohibit the use of hazardous chemicals
• No corruption – follow all applicable laws
• Identification and appropriate management of areas that need special protection (e.g. cultural or sacred sites, habitat of endangered animals or plants)

Each fiber of FSC Certified "green" paper is a nod towards eco-friendliness.

Post consumer materials can be found around the home in many places. The kitchen is one of many of these places and the list of home goods available that represent a change in our collective habits, mindsets and purchasing demand has increased exponentially since the first Earth Day decades ago.

Aside from the reusable bags that are used to transport groceries, and the day’s lunch and beverages, there are also the reusable canteens that act as receptacles for the necessary intake of water - both goods come from post-consumer material, and whether its stainless steel, organic cottons, or recycled PPP or PET, they are now staples in the modern, eco-friendly kitchen.

Recently Reynold’s Wrap® and Scott Tissue and Towel Papers have introduced new product lines that are made from post-consumer materials. The famous Reynolds Wrap® brand has gone a step further to offer its “100%” line to the world in a time where the Earth desperately needs some reduction in waste. This foil wrap line is made from, as the name says, 100% recycled aluminum, and is an innovative and brave step for the company. Scott® offers toilet paper, paper towels, moist wipes and more, at up to 60% of post-consumer recycled materials.

Although both companies should be commended for their efforts, and are leaders on the shelves of markets worldwide, it is possible to reuse towels and napkins in the kitchen and near the bathroom sink to reduce paper usage altogether. Not only would this save you money, but is a more eco-friendly choice in the long run. We do indeed support companies that make green products, and the intentions are good. Simple green solutions are all around us though, and rather than wrap leftovers or cover bowls in aluminum foil, reuse BPA-free tupperware to cut down on aluminum waste.

In conclusion, the home goods market and families around the world continue to think and live more progressively in an eco-driven consumer world. As this trend continues, the future may see a green home on every street, and cleaner neighborhoods for generations to come.

Reynold's "Green" Wrap: 100% Recycled Aluminum

Scott "Naturals" Tissue and Paper goods