Green Practices Accelerate As Earth Day Approaches

April 17, 2008

Source: The Merchandise Group


As Earth Day 2008 approaches on April 22, more businesses and retailers are taking steps to go green. From furniture stores to grocery chains to toy retailers--environmentally friendly practices are gaining in both popularity and demand.

Recently, Helsingborg, Sweden-based IKEA announced that it will no longer offer plastic or paper bags, effective October 1, 2008, after the results of its March 2007 "bag the plastic bag" program. At that time, the company's goal was to reduce its U.S. stores plastic bag use by 50 percent from 70 million to 35 million. Customers responded in overwhelming numbers, with 92 percent eliminating the use of plastic bags completely and switching to reusable bags.

"The success of this program truly demonstrates that our customers care deeply about our global home and that we can all work together to be sustainable and environmentally responsible," said Pernille Spiers-Lopez, president of IKEA North America in a recent statement.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, consumers in the United States use more than 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wrap every year. In addition, U.S. consumers throw out 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags, recycling less than one percent. These bags alone can last up to 1,000 years in the environment. Paper bags also wreck havoc, costing the environment 14 billion trees, to produce a mere 10 billion bags.

Customers are primed to take action to decrease the strain on the environment, and are demanding that the businesses and stores they frequent do the same. Grocers, such as El Segundo, Calif.-based Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Inc. are increasing their commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Fresh & Easy recently announced its use of an environmentally friendly ultraviolet sanitizing machine to clean and reuse its shipping and display packaging. According to the company, all display packaging is transported from its stores to its distribution center, and is then sent through the UV machine, being disinfected and sanitized before reuse.

"Reducing the amount of landfill waste we produce is an important objective for Fresh & Easy," said Tim Mason, CEO of Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market in a press release. "It is essential for us to use new technologies and try new techniques to reduce our impact on the environment. The ultraviolet light machine at our distribution center is another way we are being thoughtful in what we do here at Fresh & Easy."

Even toy retailers, such as Wayne, N.J.-based Toys 'R' Us Inc., are switching to eco-friendly products. In a press release, the company announced the launch of its eco-friendly toy line, including natural wooden toys, natural cotton plush animals and organic cotton dolls, packaged in 70 percent recycled materials. According to the company, the new collection will be available on Earth Day, and it plans to introduce additional items to the line throughout the year. Each environmentally friendly toy also features a green leaf seal to designate its natural status.

"We know that kids are becoming more environmentally conscious and are curious about how they can do their part to help protect the planet," said Karen Dodge, chief merchandising officer for Toys 'R' Us in a recent statement. "Going green is more than just a trend. It's becoming a lifestyle."

As consumers gain increased awareness of the impact human consumption has on the environment, demand for retailers and businesses to offer products that compliment this new lifestyle increases.

Green Practices Accelerate As Earth Day Approaches

April 17, 2008


Source: The Merchandise Group

As Earth Day 2008 approaches on April 22, more businesses and retailers are taking steps to go green. From furniture stores to grocery chains to toy retailers--environmentally friendly practices are gaining in both popularity and demand.

Recently, Helsingborg, Sweden-based IKEA announced that it will no longer offer plastic or paper bags, effective October 1, 2008, after the results of its March 2007 "bag the plastic bag" program. At that time, the company's goal was to reduce its U.S. stores plastic bag use by 50 percent from 70 million to 35 million. Customers responded in overwhelming numbers, with 92 percent eliminating the use of plastic bags completely and switching to reusable bags.

"The success of this program truly demonstrates that our customers care deeply about our global home and that we can all work together to be sustainable and environmentally responsible," said Pernille Spiers-Lopez, president of IKEA North America in a recent statement.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, consumers in the United States use more than 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wrap every year. In addition, U.S. consumers throw out 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags, recycling less than one percent. These bags alone can last up to 1,000 years in the environment. Paper bags also wreck havoc, costing the environment 14 billion trees, to produce a mere 10 billion bags.

Customers are primed to take action to decrease the strain on the environment, and are demanding that the businesses and stores they frequent do the same. Grocers, such as El Segundo, Calif.-based Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Inc. are increasing their commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Fresh & Easy recently announced its use of an environmentally friendly ultraviolet sanitizing machine to clean and reuse its shipping and display packaging. According to the company, all display packaging is transported from its stores to its distribution center, and is then sent through the UV machine, being disinfected and sanitized before reuse.

"Reducing the amount of landfill waste we produce is an important objective for Fresh & Easy," said Tim Mason, CEO of Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market in a press release. "It is essential for us to use new technologies and try new techniques to reduce our impact on the environment. The ultraviolet light machine at our distribution center is another way we are being thoughtful in what we do here at Fresh & Easy."

Even toy retailers, such as Wayne, N.J.-based Toys 'R' Us Inc., are switching to eco-friendly products. In a press release, the company announced the launch of its eco-friendly toy line, including natural wooden toys, natural cotton plush animals and organic cotton dolls, packaged in 70 percent recycled materials. According to the company, the new collection will be available on Earth Day, and it plans to introduce additional items to the line throughout the year. Each environmentally friendly toy also features a green leaf seal to designate its natural status.

"We know that kids are becoming more environmentally conscious and are curious about how they can do their part to help protect the planet," said Karen Dodge, chief merchandising officer for Toys 'R' Us in a recent statement. "Going green is more than just a trend. It's becoming a lifestyle."

As consumers gain increased awareness of the impact human consumption has on the environment, demand for retailers and businesses to offer products that compliment this new lifestyle increases.