Kmart Corp. called its American Fare brand disposable plates biodegradable, Tender Corp. called its Fresh Bath-brand moist wipes biodegradable, and Dyna-E International called its Lightload brand compressed dry towels biodegradable. In the three complaints, the FTC alleges that the defendants’ products typically are disposed in landfills, incinerators, or recycling facilities, where it is impossible for waste to biodegrade within a reasonably short time.

As are result Kmart and Tender have agreed to orders that bar them from making deceptive “degradable” product claims and require them to have competent and reliable evidence to support environmental product claims. The settlement with Tender also requires it to disclose clearly whether any biodegradable claim applies to the product, the packaging, or component of either. Both settlements contain provisions for record-keeping processes to assist the FTC in monitoring the companies’ compliance. The third matter, against Dyna-E and its owner, George Wheeler, will proceed in administrative litigation. -Sustainablelifemedia.com

Greenwashing is such a mixed bag – on one hand it helps demonstrate public interest in environmentally responsible goods. On the other it creates a series of consumer deception while illustrating the lack of sustainable understanding companies are hiding behind.

For more on the FTC’s guide to Compliance click here

Lunchbreath on Flickr

Egglings from Red Envelope

I love the concept of having packaging made in a material that you can then bury! Aside from encouraging gardening through unique gift giving, this concept could really find some great applications…

While there weren’t any steamy ideas, Brandon and I will definitley be spending the next few weeks in the yard planing a vegetable/fruit garden as well as installing a compost heap and doggie compost well. It’s been difficult taking courses on sustainability and then coming home and figuring out how to translate what I’ve learned to my family – and then look to get them on the same page.

My parents have been very supportive and have even started their own vegetable garden and compost heap. I feel very blessed that they’re looking to have an open mind – change is not always easy. Brandon and company have been good about slowly examining their lifestyle and allowing me to make small changes one day at a time. So far we’re using biodegradable garbage bags, are eliminating plastic bags from the grociery store for dog walks, watching how much electricity we’d be wasting by leaving the lights on, as well as water usage. I’ve got my avocado seeds on the window and with any luck they’ll sprout soon… or not… I’m still getting a handle on this ‘green thumb’ thing!

Ryan’s Weird Ways To Be Green

Yesterday I was hunting for a nice mothers day gift card (yes – I’m buying into the fake holiday… it’s my mom and quite frankly I enjoy celebrating it).  My close friends know I’m a bit of a note/card geek and love sending out christmas cards, birthday cards, etc. but I do recognize that they are ‘extra paper’ being created. Because they are meant to be sentimental and kept for a long length of time I don’t consider cards to be nearly as wasteful as office printing or newpaper discard.

I was hoping on finding a card from a company that’s looking to foster sustainable products without screaming ‘look at me – I’m earth friendly’. I’ve been a long time fan of Papyrus and much to my delight, discovered this message on the back of the card I picked out:

“Papyrus supports long term environmental sustainability and is commited to protecting and preserving the environment by using recycled and FSC certified paper and vegetable based inks whenever possible.”

Here’s an interesting writeup of their green commitment

I’ve been a bit disparaging about the local green scene, but found a list of farmer’s markets in the area (close to our home in SoFla) that I’ve got to start frequenting:

Josh’s Organic Garden
Harrison Street and S. Boardwalk
Hollywood Beach, FL 33019

323-463-3171

Wilton Manors Farmers’ Market

524 NE 21st CT
Hagen Park at City Hall
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
(954) 568-0504

Normandy Village Market Place
900 71st Street
Miami Beach, FL 33141
(305) 531-0038

Pompano Beach Green Market
100 N.E. First Street, Across from City Hall
Pompano Beach, FL 33061
(954) 782-3015

Lincoln Road Farmers’ Market
600 Block on Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 531-0038

Coral Gables Farmers’ Market

405 Biltmore Way (in front of City Hall)
Coral Gables, FL 33114
(305) 460-5311

I was a bit bummed to hear at the Green Expo that there aren’t any green retail stores in the area such as Twin Cities Green in Minneapolis. I’ve been hunting for a rain barrel or compost tumbler locally but at this rate might have to resort to Amazon for a lot of home equipment.

Michael Pollan has been  highly influential in my own personal journey in Sustainable Design, but more importantly in green living. The Omnivore’s Dilemma really helped open my eyes to questioning where our food and nutrients are actually coming from. The movie Food, Inc by Robert Kenner is looking to expand upon the notion that the business of food compromises what is healthy for its consumers for that which is profitable. I truly believe that the chemicals, preservatives, and newfound methods of agriculture are slowly poisoning us and contributes to our disconnect from our environment (and one could argue, from eachother).

Read the introduction and first chapter of
The Omnivore’s Dilemma (PDF)

There are no ‘connect the dots’ to prove this notion right, but I can’t help but wonder if my own personal digestive issues (pancreatitis and crohn’s) aren’t directly tied to modern food consumption. Granted I’m not a case of someone who eats nothing but processed food their whole lives, but I am the only person in my family with any digestive disorders. The struggle to eat organic food (and be migrating to vegetarianism) has been difficult primarily due to the inconvenience and expense of finding real food combined with the potential alienation or inconveniece once can become within their social circle. By in large my family has been very supportive, but the road is arduous. After seeing an early run of Food, Inc, however, it just became quite a bit easier.

This weekend I attended the Green Expo at Stranahan Park in Downtown Ft Lauderdale. While I was very glad to see that the city was promoting eco friendly initiatives it was a little strange to see so little offered for such a large area. Perhaps I’m very spoiled in Minneapolis but it was disappointing to learn that there aren’t any green stores and few groups – none of which were really rallying for green living.