Archive for Computers and Printers
Australian study shows gaps in consumer habits when ‘shopping green’
Posted by: | CommentsAn interesting new study just released in Australia reveals that shoppers in that nation harbour the very best in ‘green tendencies’ but that the conversion of eco-planning to actual eco-purchasing seems to often fall down by the time a customer reaches the checkout. The new study was compiled by Macquarie University in conjunction with Panasonic as part of an environmental sustainability initiative and determined that a gap exisits between the intent (in terms of eco-friendly shopping) and the actual purchasing habits.
Although its simply a single study pertinent to one nation the results are concerning and ask questions as to how to bridge that gap, both from the retailer’s perspective and manufacturers also. The most alarming result is that while 75% of consumers tend to ‘consider’ environmental features before shopping, but just 20% then go on to purchase goods with eco credentials. I immediately wondered if that could partially be a result of product choice as well as the more likely determining factor of cost. The research focused on the habit of over 2,000 consumers when considering and purchasing a range of electronics goods including washing machines, cameras, televisions and other household electronics.
The head of research for the study Professor Tim Flannery, expressed that environmental goals aren’t going to be reached as readily as targeted until consumers are as prepared to buy green as they already seem to be in terms of ‘thinking green’. He expressed that consumption and future purchasing are both inevitable and that continued awareness of environmental impact is the most logical way forward.
While his comments certainly make sense my feeling is that market research and product labeling already makes the informational piece of the decision for the product types studied readily available. Smart eco-shopping doesn’t take as much effort as a decade ago for many types of products so a more important piece of future research would be to determine which factors lower the actual sales of the greener option based on product type. As so many decisions are made with the pocketbook comprehensive research that shows how much more a consumer is prepared to pay for a ‘green equivalent’. That data in conjunction with manufacturing costs will ultimately determine the effectiveness of a campaign to sell an eco-friendly product.
The study offered many other findings including: the actual ‘eco features’ of a product counted for at best 20% of the the purchase intent and eco features appealed most to the youngest consumers (18-24) and the oldest (over 55). I find that surprising, I’d expect the age groups in the middle to be as eco-conscious in their shopping habits. Not the most encouraging report I’ve read recently but I’m sure a lot can be learned from it. You can learn more about the sustainability initiatives at Macquarie University in Sydney by following this link.
Green Gazette (Issue 35) Eco Bus, James Cameron, Green Electronics Rankings
Posted by: | CommentsThanks for visiting Planet Forward and our eco-blog. We’re thrilled with the feedback and traffic from our visitors and hope you can share our site with others who might be like minded. A few times per week we bring you the green gazette where I dig out new green stories and inventions or ideas that we feel should be shared. If you ever find something that you think is newsworthy or simply a brilliant idea please do share with us via the site.
I read with interest about a British environmentalist who intends to drive around the world in a bus powered only by bio fuels (where possible of course) left the UK 4 months ago but things have taken a turn for the worse in India. Andy Pag who previously completed a London to Timbuktu drive using chocolate waste (how can there be such a thing?) has been driving his bus (The Bio Truck) around the globe using used cooking oil to heighten awareness about the potential of bio diesel. Andy has just been released from jail in India for bringing a satellite phone into the country without prior approval. He didn’t know he needed a license for the phone and was thus released on bail, however he cannot leave India until his scheduled trial on January 23rd. Keep up to date with Andy via his site and learn more. His twitter account has the latest news.
Blue meanie?
Next up, I’ve yet to see Avatar (I know…I’ll be the last) and I can’t say I’m very enamoured with James Cameron based on interviews I’ve seen. Nothing personal but he seems to be a somewhat…well….self important? That said I don’t know much about him especially when it comes to eco-issues but apparently he has made some statements last night that seem to very much at odds with both his lifestyle and business acumen if I can use that phrase. I won’t go right over the precipice with regards to Cameron as I can leave that in the very capable hands of the ‘Big Hollywood Blog’ who in this post seem to have made their mind up about the uber-director and his not so green resume. There are always two sides to every story but side one isn’t very promising is it? Maybe the characters in Avatar weren’t green for a reason?
Finally tonight it’s update time on the guide to Green Electronics with a great scoring system and notes to help consumers better evaluate the performances and green initiatives on major electronics manufacturers. Sony have been aggressively cross marketing their VAIO laptops and mini-notebooks with a greater emphasis on eco-friendly features. A new mercury free LED backlight has helped Sony leap in the standings but the review is interesting to read overall and can help you make a balanced decision if you are on the fence about an electronics purchase. The guide essentially grades 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles based on their green record. Some of what you read will be an eye opener in both good ways and bad…and I will name names on those not scoring well…Microsoft, Fujitsu and Dell. Get your collective act together because an informed public do care about what the corporate green initiatives are for their products these days. Send the review to your friends who love gadgets!
Green Gazette (Issue 16) Ethical undies, cycling to work, green computing
Posted by: | CommentsI can’t really comment on the Yankees post yesterday, I also won’t hijack the post tonight and ask that you visit this page to see a real sporting wonder. I’m here to write the latest Green Gazette and I must confess I’m pleased the Yankees won the rounders “world” series, it certainly makes for a happier Planet (Forward) around these parts. I’ve got a few enjoyable eco-friendly bits of information to share so lets get cracking!
First up, The Washington Post provides a well written article focusing on how to further green up your computer. The emphasis with computers (and many other products) is how eco-friendly they are but we tend to make those considerations when we purchase something brand new. The article makes for good reading as it shows how additional software and hardware can help in a number of ways also. Naturally reducing power consumption is at the heart of most ideas about making computing more green. Within the article a link to this list exists which is one of the most informative aspects – especially this:
Product: Encore Electronics Thin Client
Price: $110
How it saves: Reduce the power you use while computing by having multiple workers share a PC or server’s computing power. One PC can power about 10 Thin Clients; one server can power about 30. A Thin Client uses only 5 watts to 10 watts a year, whereas a desktop uses about 350 watts.
Check out the remainder of the items on the list also, if you own a business you might be very impressed at the difference that you can make.
Here’s a story that I found quite inspiring, especially when I’m behind someone who drives a vehicle that gets <20MPG and feels that asking their school class to reduce paper consumption by 3% is going to clear the conscience. Walking the talk doesn’t always happen as often as it 
should and this is sadly sometimes the case with businesses that profess to be green. This story introduces you to a list of entrepreneurs who run green businesses who happen to be attending the Opportunity Green conference in Los Angeles this weekend. The 12 individuals concerned are from the bay area (incidentally the conference looks brilliant) who elected to cycle – that’s bicycle – from San Francisco down to Los Angeles for the conference. That’s 5 days in the saddle, 90 miles per day, not to be sneezed at! The event was titled the Tour de OG and this page explains why this was done, what was involved and who was prepared to burn those calf muscles and ride all the way down the California coast. I’ve made that journey a number of times by car (it’s beautiful) and I envy them having been able to see that lovely coastline at just 15mph on a touring bicycle. (I’m not crazy I used to tour cycle as a teenager) The individuals who took part deserve applause and so do their companies; their profiles are also on the link I provided – some great ideas are in there.
A lot of people don’t pay enough attention to their underwear and they really should. Not wanting to go into to much detail but I’ve seen
Eco friendly undies (men's available also!)
….oh I better stop there. I’m writing about underwear for a reason of course as I want to turn your attention to Pact Organization. Pact are an interesting company and here’s a brief summary of what they are all about. They do of course sell underwear, really nice underwear but of course there is more to it than that. PACT’s motto is CHANGE STARTS WITH YOUR UNDERWEAR. The purchase of PACT underwear is participation in a social movement: when you buy PACT underwear, you are supporting and encouraging organic cotton farmers, responsible labor practices, and businesses that form partnerships with nonprofit organizations dedicated to positive change in our world. In addition to the ethical supply practices they also donate 10% of all profits to one your choice of causes they are affiliated with. Namely Forest Ethics, Oceana or 826 National – each worthy of your time. Buy some nice fresh stylish underwear – make a difference and see what happens!
Back soon…
