Mass Market Goes Green

So the big move has happened - Walmark announces "green" labels insuring that manufacturing and consumption will never really be the same.

Walmart announces that vendors will be required to label how "sustainable" their products are based on 4 categories; energy and greenhouse gas emissions, material, natural resources and "people and communities". For licensing, branding and manufacturing in general this is a move that will be felt considerably. We have all heard how tight the margins are in retail, and with new regulations the cost of producing inevitably goes up. Is the Walmart consumer prepared to pay more?

I for one believe that the masses are just as eager to be ever more conscious in their shopping habits and that the more the supply chain changes the more affordable and "mass" sustainable products will be. Congratulations to Walmart for taking the lead! With Walmart order numbers they will aid already conscious manufactures get a foot hold in a market places and encourage others to change who may have had trepidation. No longer should the environmently conscious products be a niche market branding mechanism, but tangible in the way product is made, shipped, packaged and the final impact - discarded. The consumer needs to be prepared to assume some of the financial and consumption responsibility as well...let's see how that part goes.

See www.armconsulting.me and how I am working on my part!

Jen

Happy 400 years to NYC

Here's to Henry Hudson for finding us - his mistake and our gain. Imagine the mutiny after years and years of exploration and never finding the elusive North-West passage, but to only discover Mannahatta. If you click on the title it takes you to this absolutely fantastic project - The Manhattan Project where you can see NYC communities in 1609 - 400 years ago via computer translations. This is a project of The Wildlife Conservation Society.

With the 400 year celebration - Macy's moved the fireworks to the Hudson and I hear they were spectacular. We could still see the "rockets red glare" from our side of the east river without the crowds.

Check out all the history and activities and celebrate the city on this historical anniversary!

Three things to be grateful for

1) Central Park

2) Prospect Park

3) Any green-way in NYC

We really have the best of so much in this very lovely city.

xoxoxo

Jen