It is very difficult to make a decision on what to buy at the store these days. For instance...
I will go to the grocery store and pick up a new cereal just because it says "Organic." But, as I proceed to the checkout line I start to think... just because that cereal is made of organic ingredients doesn't mean it is really "green," truthfully the box isn't even made of recycled materials, the plastic bag covering the cereal is non-recyclable, and the ink used to print on the box was most likely made of toxins ... maybe I should just pick up that other cereal I like... I'm not making much of a difference... I'm just one person buying cereal.
Have you ever had this kind of experience when you are shopping? You go to the store wanting to make an educated decision about the products you are buying, but you are never sure you are really making the right choice. Whether you are interested in buying socially responsible products that do not perpetuate child labor or you are just trying to feed your family healthy food, making the "right" decision is tough.
First, ask yourself, what do you want to accomplish by choosing the "right" product? For me, I want to choose a product that is healthy for me and the environment. I do not want a product that is enabling immoral business practices like financial irresponsibility or unsafe working conditions. Most importantly, I want to purchase a product that directly or indirectly increases the sales and profits of the companies that are doing business "right."
In the present marketplace, doing business "right" is difficult to track because the system is so confusing and convoluted. In my opinion, I want every business to participate in some the following efforts:
· Sell eco-conscious and socially responsible products
· Invest money in R&D for green, healthy, safe, and morally responsible products
· Offer transparency of business practices or products and services
· Use product Life Cycle Assessments to implement comprehensive sustainability goals
· Build LEED certifiable buildings
Most businesses are only starting to realize the profitability of doing business "right" because they have not yet implemented multilevel sustainable and socially responsible initiatives. They are testing the water to see how the market reacts. We cannot expect businesses to jump head first into being the most responsible company on the planet. Let us be honest with ourselves, we Consumers are fickle and we change our mind all the time. But, if we can keep interest in the "right" guidelines we will give businesses the time to change. Once they change, they will not go back as soon as they see how profitable sustainability can be.
For now, I am going to use my dollar to vote for the ones that are trying. As more consumers use their money to influence the popularity of "right" products and services, these businesses will begin to have the faith and equity to change.
Don't forget, you are the one with the power to change this economy because you get to vote who gets your dollar!
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