As I was going through the ads in last Sunday's paper I was surprised to see just how many manufacturer's are jumping on the “green” band wagon for Earth day, or earth week as it now is according to the ads.
It feels to me that every compnay wants to cash in on the green of “green”. It wouldn't disturb me so much if they really meant it. So many times they just repackage the same old product and state it's good for the environment, when it's not any healthier, or more sustainable than it was yesterday, AND they spent perfectly good resources to make new packaging. Granted, some companies are stepping up and doing what is right,though it is a slow process.
First the Target ad caught my eye.. it stated for “earth week” their ad was printed on recycled paper. My first thought was.. well, DUH.. it's always printed on recycled paper.. that's what newspaper is. BUT having no tangible proof of this, I set out looking for the recycled content on my local paper. Of course, I couldn't find the infrmation printed in the paper, or on the paper's webiste. So, I sent them an email requesting the info- I have yet to get a response. So, if Target's ad IS in fact printed on recycled paper this week, good for them, but shame on them(and everyone else) for not doing it every week.
Then as I was going through the coupon section, full of ads for “green chemicals”, and “natural areosoles”, the Reynolds recycled aluminum foil ad jumped out at me. I had assumed that aluminum foil was already recycled (it seems like a no-brainer to me)so, again, I went off to research it more. I was astaounded at what I found. To make foil, basically, sheets of aluminum are heated and rolled over and over again until the desired thickness is reached. Because Aluminum foil is pretty much in it's natural chemical form, it's easily recycled – though in my personal experience(from the people I know) most don't recycle it.(of which, I will be educating them)
Newly manufactured aluminum foil takes a lot of energy to produce,and according to the Aluminum Association, about $2 billion is spent each year to do this. There is an option though, which I wasn't previously aware of ~Recycled foil! Foil that is made from recycled aluminum uses 80- 95% LESS energy to produce, and is STILL recycleable.
Reynolds Wrap has come up with a recycled aluminum foil that is made from 100% post consumer/post industrial aluminum, in a box and core that is made of 100% recovered papers, and the ink is even water based!
Right now, you can sign up for a coupon from Reynolds Wrap, and they will email you a reminder to download the rebate coupon on April 22. Free roll supplies are limited, so remember to download it early. I'm going to try it. It's a small step to fix a big problem.
As far as the other manufatureres, I got my eye on you..
