The Annoying Inconsistencies of Green!

I just returned from a two day business trip to New York where I stayed at a very nice boutique hotel called the Lucerne. Like so many hotels nowadays, they had a little sign in the bathroom saying that they were trying to do their part for the environment, and consequently if guests were willing to use their towels more than once to not leave them on the floor. Since I know, not only from personal experience, but also from talking to many other women, that environmental concerns are of great importance to female consumers, this should be a good thing right?

However, unfortunately the inconsistencies that exist regarding how different companies actually apply green practices, have resulted in my being more skeptical than anything else. In regards to the hotel example, that little devil on my shoulder tells me that they are really just trying to cut down on their electricity bills by not having to do so much washing. As with many other hotels, I also don't see a lot of 'green' efforts in other parts of their service and customer experience programs. Perhaps they recycle 'behind the scenes' but when it comes to disposing of bottles etc. there don't seem to be any obvious efforts being made on the recycling front.

I also recently had the experience of going to a resort in Florida that produced a shameful amount of waste without a single effort being made to allow guests to recycle bottles and cans. Those of us that recycle religiously at home, suddenly found themselves faced with the unwelcome reality that in other parts of the country, no one was making an effort at all.

I also have the same feeling of being 'tricked' when a company has non environmentally friendly products in its portfolio and then launches a supposedly 'green' brand. I immediately find myself thinking that the company is clearly launching a green brand in order to make more of the other kind of green, rather than really caring about the environment.

Okay - so having 'ranted' about the lack of consistency with environmental efforts - companies really do need to make it consistent or not do it at all - here is a great article on picking your battles when it comes to being green.

Green Article