CAN BLACK FRIDAY BE GREEN?

When we think of today's Black Friday, we're accustomed to associating it with the color green as in MONEY--dollars spent, dollars saved, retail profits and the health of the U.S. economy.  But what about the other green, as in our environment?  Unfortunately, not so good.  Aside from the chorus of greenhouse gases rising in harmony from all the cars on the road racing to snag those 3:00 a.m. bargains, what's the real eco-culprit of Black Friday?  The PACKAGING!!  According to the Product Policy Institute, "shoppers will buy mountains of limited-use products wrapped up in disposable boxes, bubble wrap, Styrofoam and other packing materials."  (Politico 11.27.09).  The "blackest" part of packaging?  It's contribution to CLIMATE CHANGE!!  Can you guess what the percentage of America's greenhouse gases coming from all that mostly nonbiodegradable cushioning is?  Do you know what it is if you add in the emissions used to produce imported products? 

Check out the Public Policy Institute's website at www.productpolicy.org to learn how you can help promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to make brand owners responsible for the environmental stewardship of their products, from creation to disposal.  In the meantime, think of creative ways to reuse/recycle bubble wrap, Styrofoam and other packaging materials!