‘Made in USA’ and Green Linked?
This is an interesting discussion that you should consider when making any purchase. Does a product that is ‘Made in America’ or in fact, whichever country you are from, directly correlate with being green?
GreenBiz.com takes a look at this very issue in terms of marketing. In a recent study done by the Shelton Group called Eco Pulse, 2o% of people felt that ‘Made in the US’ does in fact factor into the decision on whether a product is green or not. A similar percentage of people felt that local produce was important to them.
The results of this study are interesting and it’s an important topic to discuss. I do in fact think there is a connection. When a product is made close to home, the product requires less travel time and therefore less environmental impact. That connection ends though when a company in our own borders pollutes and causes environmental damage to the local region. This is what makes it so important to ensure that we do research before buying from companies regardless of where there products are made.
A while back, I talked about the Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle and this very issue arose with many of the commentors. Because their bottles are made in China, many feel that they were not as “green” as many would have liked. There are people in search to find a stainless steel bottle that are made in our own country, but with no avail. I would have loved to buy a bottle within our own borders, but at the same time I do feel that this bottle made my life much healthier and a little more green…A tough issue with a product where it’s impossible to find a manufacturer in our own country that makes them.
How do you feel about this issue? Is ‘Made in America’ a criteria for a product being green?
Comments
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March 24th, 2010
That’s really a innovative way of thinking, I had never point out before. I completely agree with you that by using local produced items we are contributing a little towards a green environment.