Fishy Fiji water

This ad, spotted on a BART train on the way to work in downtown San Francisco this morning, represents what could be one of the best examples of corporate PR BS known as "greenwashing."

How can water flown nearly 6,000 miles from a remote island, and bottled in potentially toxic plastic that can only be downcycled, be eco-friendly? It can't. Check out the Greenwash Brigade's details today, and return there for more about phony "green" claims by corporations.

Even Mayor Newsom derided the appearance of Fiji water  (which he diplomatically didn't mention by name, but was clearly referring to) at a green tech event he attended in Los Angeles a few months ago.

This reminds me of a recent Clorox "green" campaign showing smiling, sunny children on swings. Clorox has a new line of "green" cleaning products, endorsed by the Sierra Club, but chlorine bleach is a nasty thing, as its manufacture releases dioxins. OK, at least chemicals makers say they are reducing the release of dioxins.

Comments

[Clara]

Chlorox has irritated me ever since it bought Burt's Bees. Natural my foot.

[Vancouver computer recycling]

Greenwashing. Yes unfortunately this is part of the ugly side of marketing.

[tedlow]

There’s a great video on San Francisco I Am where hundreds of teens in the Bay Area ditched their video games at home and headed for the biggest green festival in the nation. The Festival was held in San Francisco and the kids learned AND taught one another about climate change and green jobs. Even Chuck D from Public Enemy was there.

You can check out the video here:

http://www.sanfranciscoiam.com/videos/c898d779b574

[Lara Glew]

Hi,

My name is Lara Glew. I've just visited your website and I was wondering if you'd be interested in exchanging links with my website. I can offer you a home page link back from my Recycling website which would be (http://www.lara-glew.com) with Page Rank 3.

Your link will be placed here:
http://www.lara-glew.com (It`s a recycling website with PR3)

As mentioned, your link would be placed on the site home page, not on any "links" pages which may be buried in the site somewhere.

If you are interested please add the following information to your website and kindly let me know when it´s ready and I will do the same for you in less than 24 hours, otherwise you can delete my link from your site.

TITLE: SnaffleUp
URL: http://www.snaffleup.co.uk
DESCRIPTION: SnaffleUp The recycling web site designed to keep useful items out of landfill.

Or you can use the following html code:

SnaffleUp - SnaffleUp The recycling web site designed to keep useful items out of landfill.

I hope you have a nice day and thank you for your time,

Lara Glew
lara.glew@lara-glew.com

[Annie Bankss]

Great Blog !!
It is disgusting how these companies squeeze out money from their customers saying they are eco friendly. I think this will continue as long as we customers blindly purchase the products without enquiring the facts.

Annie Bankss
Save Our Planet

[Shawn]

http://www.philly.com/philly/living/green/RSS_GREENANDSAVE20081119_Ed_Begley_Jr____New_Films_promote_fresh____Green____Opportunities.html

[Chandler Bluesoul]

Thanks for the great blog! Keep up the awesome work!

[Fashionista]

Very helpful information. thanks!

[Chris]

Greetings!

The National Wildlife Federation recently finished a send-a-letter-to-the-EPA widget and Facebook application that sends an official message to the Environmental Protection Agency urging them to recognize the impact greenhouse gases are having on our planet. We're trying to drum-up up some support for their cause. If you're so inclined, we'd appreciate a link to either application or simply spread the word! Thanks so much!

Widget: http://www.clearspring.com/widgets/48dd4c8e92491714

Facebook Application: http://apps.new.facebook.com/speakupforwildlife/

[albertjames]

I started drinking Fiji water do to its high mineral content at the request of my mother's medical research. Something changed drastically in my body after consuming Fiji water. I felt healthier, I could think much more clearly, I just felt better overall. From now on this water is going to be a part of my diet for the rest of my life! It is expensive, but I believe the health benefits are worth every penny.
-----------
albertjames
Viral Marketing

[Dan Gill]

Hi Elsa - I tried to reach out to you via Linkedin (probably a terrible idea...I never check messages there.) Anyway, the gist is that I think you have a great/comprehensive understanding of the intersection of green and social media. I'd like to talk to you about a site that I founded. I entered my email address above. I'd appreciate an opportunity to chat.

I hope you're doing well - take care,

dan

[JJW]

Greenwashing is getting out of control. Its amazing that just becuase a company serves a cup of coffee in a recycled cup that they are "green".

It really is the consumer who must see through all of the phony green pr. Check this website out, www.izzitgreen.com

It lets consumers rate and review how "green" business actually are.

-jjw

[Dagny]

It's really up to the consumer to do their homework and find out what's real and what's not.

Dagny
www.onnotextiles.com
organic apparel

[Green Lifestyle]

It’s my first time on your blog and I will be returning and subscribing!

[monish]

hello,
This is monish the owner of http://www.hybridcarsonline.blogspot.com

I came through your blog accidently,but some how your blog kept me there for long.that why iam comenting on your topic.

its really good and iam happy to see such blogs here online.good keepup the work..
all the best..
i will come back to your blog frequently
monish

[livepaths]

Very interesting.
If the economics don't work, recycling efforts won't either.
http://LivePaths.com blogs about the innovative people and companies that make money selling recycled or reused items, provide green services or help us reduce our dependency on non renewable resources.

[go natural baby]

Love your blog! Green washing is happening within the organic cotton industry as well. Many large corporations want to "go green" and now use "organic" fibers,but they are not certified,this the masses don't know that those organic fibers are most likely in contact with all kinds of chemicals (besides sweat shops).
Go Natural Baby manufactures certified organic cotton children's clothes, using low impact dyes, nickel and lead-free snaps and zippers and fair trade. I hope you do a blog about the difference between organic and certified organic.
Peace,
Justyn
http://www.gonaturalbaby.com

[William]

I couldn't agree more with you on the corporate America's "GreenWashing" it is really sad and affects people like you and I who really care.
I love your blog and I just wanted to let you know about my new website. I would love to get your comments and feedback on it or perhaps maybe even a blurb on your blog about it as well. We sell eco-friendly home decor and lighting products, a lot of our products are reclaimed and biodegradable as well.
-William
www.worldlydecor.com