by: Alain Thys
Now here's a green programme that's pragmatic, inspiring and at the same time simple enough that it could make consumers care. In 2008, the French supermarket Casino intends to label its products according to their eco-friendliness. The move follows an earlier announcement by Britain's Tesco who will start tracking the CO2 footprint of its products.
Still, the French intend to up the ante, by going beyond CO2. For up to 3,000 products in its range, Casino will provide information on the amount of packaging that is used, the amount of waste that is generated and the distance the product has travelled (see copy of draft label below).
And to indicate that Casino also intends to act if the eco-footprint stops making sense, they are discontinuing the sale of the codfish which had to travel 27,000 kilometers to end up on the French consumer's dish.
I like what I see :-)
Green is going across the chasm. I can see lots of opportunity for retailers in the US to start taking mind share. The key word that you captured is "pragmatic", making it real day-to-day relevant is the key. Do so, and the mainstream will get into it.
Interesting. You're right. It appears the French are upping the ante. It's amazing to me how many firms and industries are working hard to go -- or appear to go -- green. I was struck recently by the announcement by Targus of their green laptop backpacks: http://www.targus.com/us/about_pr_20070911.asp