<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Sierra Club and Clorox celebrate their partnership]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by dagny73 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:16:44 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/1 Sceptical

A friend of mine was using one of the Clorox green products and asked me what I thought as the 'green' friend.  I told him I wouldn't trust a large company like Clorox to be green and he should be wary.  After reading this post, I can confidently let him know that he should keep using the product and maybe I'll try it, too.

Dagny McKinley
http://www.onnotextiles.com
organic apparel

]]> Sceptical

A friend of mine was using one of the Clorox green products and asked me what I thought as the 'green' friend.  I told him I wouldn't trust a large company like Clorox to be green and he should be wary.  After reading this post, I can confidently let him know that he should keep using the product and maybe I'll try it, too.

Dagny McKinley
http://www.onnotextiles.com
organic apparel

]]> Comment #2 by banana republican http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:43:22 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/2 alright

As one of the critics of this, I wonder how one line of cleaners makes a company with such a horrible environmental record suddenly something to support.

If Clorox had decided to work on making their usual products more environmentally friendly, that would be something. They haven't. They've launched a foray into an alternative market along with a major advertising campaign. It's about market expansion, not protecting the environment. Frankly, I wouldn't be opposed normally, but the advertising campaign and the Sierra Club getting involved to fight for a corporation which is giving them money, frankly seems hypocritical to me.

Why should the Sierra Club be a tax exempt advertising company? Seriously, shouldn't advertising for corporations in exchange for money jeopardize their nonprofit status? It's certainly not the reason people have donated to the Sierra Club.

]]> alright

As one of the critics of this, I wonder how one line of cleaners makes a company with such a horrible environmental record suddenly something to support.

If Clorox had decided to work on making their usual products more environmentally friendly, that would be something. They haven't. They've launched a foray into an alternative market along with a major advertising campaign. It's about market expansion, not protecting the environment. Frankly, I wouldn't be opposed normally, but the advertising campaign and the Sierra Club getting involved to fight for a corporation which is giving them money, frankly seems hypocritical to me.

Why should the Sierra Club be a tax exempt advertising company? Seriously, shouldn't advertising for corporations in exchange for money jeopardize their nonprofit status? It's certainly not the reason people have donated to the Sierra Club.

]]> Comment #3 by Tasermons Partner http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:20:41 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/3 And just how well...

...have these "green" products done?  They make up what...maybe 2 or 3 percent of Clorox profits, at best?

]]> And just how well...

...have these "green" products done?  They make up what...maybe 2 or 3 percent of Clorox profits, at best?

]]> Comment #4 by ids http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:55:05 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/4 hit lub

At Sierra Club, we decided if the goal of green continued to seem so huge, so unattainable, so out of reach, people would give up.

Whatever the "goal of green" Pope is really after, this Clorox sell-out to the we-can't-do-it is business as usual. American Green Al Qaida, your Pope.

]]> hit lub

At Sierra Club, we decided if the goal of green continued to seem so huge, so unattainable, so out of reach, people would give up.

Whatever the "goal of green" Pope is really after, this Clorox sell-out to the we-can't-do-it is business as usual. American Green Al Qaida, your Pope.

]]> Comment #5 by jmorganp http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:55:01 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/5 I have trusted Sierra Club for years, why stop now

I count on organizations like the Sierra Club to be looking out for environmental issues. I know that they would not casually partner with a corporation who they were at all uncomfortable with. Why would they? Without their reputation they have nothing.

]]> I have trusted Sierra Club for years, why stop now

I count on organizations like the Sierra Club to be looking out for environmental issues. I know that they would not casually partner with a corporation who they were at all uncomfortable with. Why would they? Without their reputation they have nothing.

]]> Comment #6 by Penfold007 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:27:18 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/6 Question for Carl

I am a strong believer in the idea that large corporations can be a force for good and that NGOs should engage with them.  However, I am surprised that Sierra Club didn't follow the successful model of creating an certification standard that any company could meet to get its seal of approval, with a transparent process and independent board.  Why is this?  This type of ad-hoc agreement seems like a conflict of interest.

]]> Question for Carl

I am a strong believer in the idea that large corporations can be a force for good and that NGOs should engage with them.  However, I am surprised that Sierra Club didn't follow the successful model of creating an certification standard that any company could meet to get its seal of approval, with a transparent process and independent board.  Why is this?  This type of ad-hoc agreement seems like a conflict of interest.

]]> Comment #7 by cloroxvp http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:40:15 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/7 Setting the Record Straight on Clorox

As The Clorox Company's Vice President of Environmental Sustainability, the environment is what I and many others throughout The Clorox Company focus on every day. I'm proud to say that Clorox actually has a long history of environmental stewardship, but we recognize that we have to do a better job of sharing our environmental progress and we need to make more progress. What's important is that we remain committed to furthering our environmental initiatives.

In addition to our natural brand offerings like Green WorksTM and Burt's Bees®, we stand by the environmental safety of our other products, often going beyond environmental regulations in the formulation, packaging and manufacture of these products. We work hard to make sure our products and business activities comply with, and often exceed, what's required of us.

As part of this effort, Clorox is continually evaluating new ingredients and manufacturing processes that provide better performance and are safer for the environment. We then make adjustments to our products and operations accordingly. In fact, every Clorox product goes through an environmental assessment by our Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance department prior to being marketed.

Clorox is also continually seeking to reduce its packaging, maximize its use of recycled materials and develop packaging materials that are recyclable.  We also work to continually improve the eco-efficiency of our manufacturing processes to both ensure compliance with all state and federal environmental regulations and go beyond these requirements in order to reduce our environmental footprint.  We are participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project and we have also joined the U.S. EPA's Climate Leaders Program, committing to conduct an inventory of, and further reduce, our greenhouse gas emissions.

I strongly encourage you to go to http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/community/OurEnvironment. ... to learn more about our many environmental activities as well as our goals to do better in this area going forward.

Bill Morrissey, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability

]]> Setting the Record Straight on Clorox

As The Clorox Company's Vice President of Environmental Sustainability, the environment is what I and many others throughout The Clorox Company focus on every day. I'm proud to say that Clorox actually has a long history of environmental stewardship, but we recognize that we have to do a better job of sharing our environmental progress and we need to make more progress. What's important is that we remain committed to furthering our environmental initiatives.

In addition to our natural brand offerings like Green WorksTM and Burt's Bees®, we stand by the environmental safety of our other products, often going beyond environmental regulations in the formulation, packaging and manufacture of these products. We work hard to make sure our products and business activities comply with, and often exceed, what's required of us.

As part of this effort, Clorox is continually evaluating new ingredients and manufacturing processes that provide better performance and are safer for the environment. We then make adjustments to our products and operations accordingly. In fact, every Clorox product goes through an environmental assessment by our Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance department prior to being marketed.

Clorox is also continually seeking to reduce its packaging, maximize its use of recycled materials and develop packaging materials that are recyclable.  We also work to continually improve the eco-efficiency of our manufacturing processes to both ensure compliance with all state and federal environmental regulations and go beyond these requirements in order to reduce our environmental footprint.  We are participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project and we have also joined the U.S. EPA's Climate Leaders Program, committing to conduct an inventory of, and further reduce, our greenhouse gas emissions.

I strongly encourage you to go to http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/community/OurEnvironment. ... to learn more about our many environmental activities as well as our goals to do better in this area going forward.

Bill Morrissey, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability

]]> Comment #8 by Tasermons Partner http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:03:12 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/8 A few questions...

In fact, every Clorox product goes through an environmental assessment by our Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance department prior to being marketed.

Just outta curiosity, is this environmental asessment required by law, or does Clorox do this voluntarily?  And are the results public?

Also, can the PSRC department (or has it ever) denied a product to be marketed because of negative environmental impact?

And also, what was the environmental assessment for the Clorox Bleach product line?

]]> A few questions...

In fact, every Clorox product goes through an environmental assessment by our Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance department prior to being marketed.

Just outta curiosity, is this environmental asessment required by law, or does Clorox do this voluntarily?  And are the results public?

Also, can the PSRC department (or has it ever) denied a product to be marketed because of negative environmental impact?

And also, what was the environmental assessment for the Clorox Bleach product line?

]]> Comment #9 by cloroxvp http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:11:01 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/9 Clorox Product Safety Assessments

Like many other companies, Clorox conducts environmental/human safety assessments above and beyond what's required of us by the government. These studies are not available to the public for competitive reasons. However, the EPA publishes a summary of ingredients that we and other companies use based on tests conducted. These summaries are available to the public.

For new formulas, product developers are provided guidance and tools to identify environmentally preferred ingredients. Assessments are conducted several times during the formulation stages by environmental and human health safety experts before a product is allowed to go to market. And yes, in the past, there have been new formulas developed by our own scientists or acquired products that have been rejected by Clorox's Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance Department. Such products are then reformulated before release into the marketplace.

We continually conduct environmental and health assessments on our products, including bleach. What people may not know is Clorox Liquid Bleach is sodium hypochlorite, not free chlorine. In its physical state, household bleach is more similar to common table salt than chlorine, which is why it mostly degrades into salt after use. Here are links to a risk assessment conducted by the EPA, as well as an environmental health review of sodium hypochlorite conducted in Europe:

USEPA Sodium Hypochlorite Risk Assessment:  http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/old_reds/case0029.pdf

European Union - Environmental Health Review of Sodium Hypochlorite:       http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scher/do ...

]]> Clorox Product Safety Assessments

Like many other companies, Clorox conducts environmental/human safety assessments above and beyond what's required of us by the government. These studies are not available to the public for competitive reasons. However, the EPA publishes a summary of ingredients that we and other companies use based on tests conducted. These summaries are available to the public.

For new formulas, product developers are provided guidance and tools to identify environmentally preferred ingredients. Assessments are conducted several times during the formulation stages by environmental and human health safety experts before a product is allowed to go to market. And yes, in the past, there have been new formulas developed by our own scientists or acquired products that have been rejected by Clorox's Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance Department. Such products are then reformulated before release into the marketplace.

We continually conduct environmental and health assessments on our products, including bleach. What people may not know is Clorox Liquid Bleach is sodium hypochlorite, not free chlorine. In its physical state, household bleach is more similar to common table salt than chlorine, which is why it mostly degrades into salt after use. Here are links to a risk assessment conducted by the EPA, as well as an environmental health review of sodium hypochlorite conducted in Europe:

USEPA Sodium Hypochlorite Risk Assessment:  http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/old_reds/case0029.pdf

European Union - Environmental Health Review of Sodium Hypochlorite:       http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scher/do ...

]]> Comment #10 by rbpill1 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/ Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:46:45 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/finding-common-ground-in-green/10 Happy Earth Day!

I agree with the person who mentioned that it silly to say that companies are going to far in promoting Earth Day.  That's like saying that too many companies are jumping on the Breast Cancer Awareness bandwagon--money raised for breast cancer funding and awareness from business still beats the alternative--no funds and no awareness raised.

My company, ecomarketingsolutions.com provides companies with environmentally-friendly promotional products for trade shows and other branding events--and I can say that each year, for Earth Day, business surges for Fortune 1000 firms looking to promote and educate customers and prospects on the importance of recycling, tree plantings, etc.  

In fact, we sold over 12 million tree seedlings in recyclable packaging that were given to schools, churches, and used in direct mail campaigns by these companies--so while you may scream "green washing", I say that anything business does to help plant trees and reduce waste -- at no cost to their customers -- is a good thing.

Companies may try to mislead their customers into believing that their products are "green" or "environmentally-friendly" when in fact, they may or may not be.  An educated consumer is still the best weapon.  This also holds true in choosing the correct candidate for President in spite of the rhetoric from both conventions.  People must learn to read between the lines so they can make the best decisions.

However, taking small steps is still better than taking no steps toward a greener planet.

Happy Earth Day - April 22, 2009.

]]> Happy Earth Day!

I agree with the person who mentioned that it silly to say that companies are going to far in promoting Earth Day.  That's like saying that too many companies are jumping on the Breast Cancer Awareness bandwagon--money raised for breast cancer funding and awareness from business still beats the alternative--no funds and no awareness raised.

My company, ecomarketingsolutions.com provides companies with environmentally-friendly promotional products for trade shows and other branding events--and I can say that each year, for Earth Day, business surges for Fortune 1000 firms looking to promote and educate customers and prospects on the importance of recycling, tree plantings, etc.  

In fact, we sold over 12 million tree seedlings in recyclable packaging that were given to schools, churches, and used in direct mail campaigns by these companies--so while you may scream "green washing", I say that anything business does to help plant trees and reduce waste -- at no cost to their customers -- is a good thing.

Companies may try to mislead their customers into believing that their products are "green" or "environmentally-friendly" when in fact, they may or may not be.  An educated consumer is still the best weapon.  This also holds true in choosing the correct candidate for President in spite of the rhetoric from both conventions.  People must learn to read between the lines so they can make the best decisions.

However, taking small steps is still better than taking no steps toward a greener planet.

Happy Earth Day - April 22, 2009.

]]>