Student Post
by Stephanie Gold
Today, it seems that everywhere we go we hear about companies and retailers trying to do something for the environment. Whether it's Wal-Mart installing solar panels to power everything from the store lighting to the refrigerator section or a small local grocery store installing energy saving light bulbs, it is clear that retailers are beginning to focus on environmental issues across the globe. Some argue that these companies are "going green" because they understand the severity of the global warming problem while others insist that they are motivated by the financial incentives. Regardless of their motivations, the question still remains as to whether or not consumers are affected by eco-friendly companies.
This month, Frito-Lay announced their new "Net Zero" plan, where it will completely change the way its factories work and move toward creating an environmentally friendly potato chip. The company will have to run the factory almost completely off of recycled water and renewable fuels if it wishes to achieve its goal of taking the Casa Grande plant off of the power grid. Frito-Lay estimates that this project, which should be completed by 2010, will reduce its water and electricity consumption by roughly ninety percent and greenhouse gas emissions by anywhere from fifty to seventy five percent.
Today, many consumers are concerned about global warming and other climate issues, and companies such as Frito Lay are hoping to use this concern to its advantage by marketing its products as environmentally friendly. A great example of this is Frito Lay's marketing of Sun Chips as eco-friendly snacks made entirely with solar energy.
As oils prices continue to soar and approach $100 a barrel, we would expect to see other companies follow in the footsteps of Frito-Lay, as a way of appealing to more consumers and reducing their energy bills. If retailers can truly commit to helping the environment, educated consumers will support their efforts by choosing their products over the competition. By making environmentally friendly options available at reasonable prices and educating consumers about the effect their shopping habits can have on the environment, large changes can be made. Whether or not these changes are significant enough to change the predictions for the future is still to be seen, but it is clear that the green potato chip is no longer considered such a bad thing.
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Kudos to Frito-Lay. That's really good to know. I personally like Sun Chips, and they now have many new flavor varieties. It is hoped that many other companies are already doing the same, or will follow their lead...
Please continue to give voice to young women. Expand this practice.
Best,
D
Interesting. Let's hope more of the big corporate groups place the environment as a top priority.
As I wrote in the preceding post - hope you run these at the end of semesters to come! This is a great way to encourage more young students in science to take into account the importance of communicating what they do.
- the 'other' D ;->
I echo what "Dano" said and would like to see more voice given to young women in science. Highlighting the science competition in NY earlier this week was terrific.
"Coming Out" remains my favorite posts on Science Blogs ever.
http://scienceblogs.com/intersection/2007/11/coming_out.php
Sheril, you've really made me think.
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for writing on the Intersection. And what an important topic you've brought up: are companies greening, or are they just greenwashing? I don't know enough facts about Frito Lay, but I do know this. While I'm as enthused as everyone else every time a big company takes an environmental initiative, I hope we won't forget that we also need government to step up to the plate as well. Individual and corporate decisions are important and can be inspiring, but we ultimately need solutions at the level of national policy and international negotiation.
Thanks again for your great contribution!
I thought this was a post by Sheril until I read the comments. Great job Stephanie! Sheril, keep encouraging those undergrads! We were there once ourselves :)
Heck, I may even blog about "Net Zero" myself since this is the first place I heard about them.
I thought this was an interesting piece as well. It does make you wonder though: is Frito Lay doing this for the profit or for the ideology? Perhaps a bit of both?