Many of the product press releases I’m emailed claim a ‘green’ angle which is often false. Today’s is for a July 4th Room and Board special, focusing on American made goods:
“As the 4th of July approaches, we thought it’d be a good time to remind you that more than 85 percent of Room & Board furniture is sourced and manufactured right here in the United States. Room & Board is thinking American-made for America’s birthday!”
“This means a smaller environmental impact as these pieces are shipped entirely within the boundaries of the U.S. Room & Board is committed to sustainability and this means high-quality construction, timeless design and the commitment to American-made as it stimulates local economies and helps to keep our suppliers in business and doing what they do best.”
This does make sense from a local perspective, but it is false to claim it to be ecologically sound. Aside from the fact that an American worker has a much higher carbon footprint that almost any other, and US manufacturing growth (rather than services growth) therefore usually has a negative global impact, there is a bigger problem. Transferring goods by land across the US has a higher energy cost than transferring by sea from Europe. If you live in New York, transportation costs mean it is more ‘green’ to by French wine than Californian. This is counterintuitive and uncomfortable, but its the truth.
Being green is fashionable these days, and unlike in the past, its profitable, so it isn’t merely an act of charity. But if you claim something is green that isn’t, you are benefiting as a result of the environment suffering.
Of course, this just goes to show that environmental choices are difficult choices and there are many things to balance and consider.
If only standard furniture manufacturing practices (for the big-box retailers) were as simple as a one-way sea transport from Europe!
Most standard manufacturing practices involve sourcing American wood (either North or South), shipping to China or Vietnam for assembly (and cheaper labour) and then shipping said products BACK to the United States for sale. This, for example, is how Crate & Barrel manufactures its product… and you can’t walk into one of their showroom without being beaten over the head with a poster trumpeting how green they are.
For a large retailer such as Room & Board, I think this is pretty remarkable… and that your diatribe is misinformed and misleading.
It’s important to call out greenwashing practices (and thankfully we have bloggers like you to do so)… but it’s counterintuitive and uncomfortable when said bloggers choose to only perpetuate the culture of misinformation. Remember, not everyone can afford to have all their furniture hand-made and shipped from Europe to New York City. Most of us have to live in the real world.
Thanks John, thats a very well argued response, and I may have to eat crow on this one.
A Scotsman of honour and humility! I like you even more! Thanks for the dialogue…
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Nice catch Dave. I’m glad people are on the bandwagon, but not that they attach everything no matter how utterly trivial to that bandwagon, it turns green into a fad. Check out the “Greenwashing” section on 3P, there’s some good stuff there. And if you ever want to contribute, I’ll give you a login!
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