Are you a true-blue green or a sprout?

I'm a green entrepreneur and this is a new trend with more and more individuals going green but there are some big differences on what kind of green you might be. We all know the person that buys bleach and then calls themselves an environmentalist. According to a recent Fortune Small Business Article with a market research done by RoperASW there's actually only 9& of Americans that can be considered "true-blue greens" and this means they do what they believe and aren't all talk. That's a pretty small percents. The market research all concluded that 6% of Americans are considered "greenback greens" and these are the people that will buy green is it is convenient and of those 6% only a quarter of those people actually recycled. That's alarming to me. Next would be what RoperASW is calling "sprouts" and this totals 31% and to be a sprout means you go back and fourth on green issues. What about all the rest you wonder....well they apparently don't give a darn. SPECIAL REPORT: THE GREEN BUSINESS REVOLUTION points out that 1 in 5 Americans take part in some type of environmental activity and donating money even counts towards doing an environmental activity.

I have to point out that this is an older article I am referring to but what makes me write about it is I wonder whether the numbers are 1 in 5 anymore or if the trend is changing and maybe it's 2 in 5? Have the percents gone up, gotten worse or stayed the same? Makes you think.

This article really was written to point out that consumers really don't care about going green when it comes to doing their laundry or washing their windows and to prove it they tote all of these facts. If this is the case still today then why is my business doing so well? Why would there be such an interest in the product I am selling?

Folks, I think that the numbers are up and times are changing but the real question is: Are you part of that or do you still not care?

Clorox and Burt's Bees

"Who likes Burt's Bees now that it's been bought by Clorox?" Alison Stewart, a host on National Public Radio, said in November. "You know, just slap some bleach on your lips, it'll all be good."

Burt's Bee's sold itself to Clorox for $913 million dollars! The idea that Clorox and big boxed store and companies will go green is a joke to me and is just my personal opinion but here it is... These big companies are hoping to capitalize on the "green" market and the fact that consumers care about what they are using now. Sad thing is some consumers will fall for this marketing trap and believe the companies like Clorox. The same companies that make bleach or harmful products that kill our brain cells and hurt the environment. It is crazy. Folks, we have to be consumers that think and align ourselves with companies that have strong environmental heritages and don't just want to ride a popular wave and make money. Companies like this exist and were going green long before green was cool.

I hear time and time again that it's too expensive to buy green and it's not convenient so what is Clorox doing, making it easier. Should we thank them? Heck no because they company isn't going green people. The company is just going to make a few green products so we can pat them on the back. Buy products that are concentrate from companies that you can actually trust and don't be fooled. Better yet, start selling products that are green yourself and make money off helping the environment, helping your friends and family and not supporting this advertising trick. One other note: the green works products aren't tested on animals but Clorox still tests on animals so think of the company you're supporting. Do some research and don't just throw stuff in your cart.

Be real. Be honest. Be green

Interesting Links:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/07/business/06bees.php
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/11/burts_bees_sell.php
http://nontoxickids.blogspot.com/2008/01/burts-bees-and-clorox.html

This is just my opinion and I don't claim for it to be right or wrong. I'd love to hear your opinion and start and respectful dialogue.