tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post7047905392377604005..comments2024-03-28T01:51:22.367-03:00Comments on Not Buying Anything: Punt The PlasticGregg Koephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-57322952756140945992012-10-08T16:44:08.232-03:002012-10-08T16:44:08.232-03:00Nice comment - lots of good info there. I checked ...Nice comment - lots of good info there. I checked out your link for the Marine Litter Campaign, and they lost me at "Plastics Industry's initiative...". I also prefer Algalita's approach.<br /><br />Thank you for mentioning the VCI - it is obvious that this is the direction we have to move in, and the sooner the better. If something isn't sustainable, it shouldn't be happening. <br /><br />I am glad that we are moving in this direction, and that consumers are beginning to realize the power they have when they adopt habits of responsible consumption. We can say no to harmful corporate practices, and take our money elsewhere.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-7440855520301498792012-10-07T19:18:06.583-03:002012-10-07T19:18:06.583-03:00This is a great post. The steps that Algalita r...This is a great post. The steps that Algalita recommend go beyond the" Marine Litter" campaign by the plastic industry. http://www.facebook.com/l/IAQEFnZL1AQGOdow_6gnd8SR6AOA0OUapBX4Q4HFWlvGyOg/www.marinelittersolutions.com<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />I am not a fan of the "Marine Litter" characterization of the problem. It is just one aspect (although very important one) and it tends to say that if only people changed their habits the problem would go away without any major change in how we manufacture plastic. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Even if there was 100% containment of plastic through purposeful recycling... there will always be disasters like the Japanese tsunami which will deposit millions of pounds of plastic into the ocean.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />We must rethink how plastics are made and which products they can safely be used in. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />I would like to see an initiative similar to what Patagonia has started in the textile business where companies rate their processes according to sustainability using a Value Creation Index (VCI). There is a great video on UCTV by the Vice President of Patagonia, Rick RIdgRidgway this topic. "http://www.youtube.com/embed/sdAiuCCDsPA <br />This is a tool that can be used by companies to measure and rate their product sustainability. In the best world, the ratings are published and readily available to the consumer when they purchase a product. They created a Sustainable Apparel ColalCoalitionttp://www.apparelcoalition.org/ which is joined by Walmart and many other big companies who realize something must be done.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />I am not sure if the plastic industry has in place a VCI or any plans for a VCI. If a VCI tool was used in the plastic industry, the bottom line profits would be directly related to how well the processes are rated relative to sustainability.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />I believe a VCI goes beyond what the plastic industry has in mind with their "Marine Litter" campaign. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com