Everywhere I turn these days, the terms “green”, “eco-friendly”, “earth friendly”, “organic” are jumping out at me. I wonder if I am just more aware now or if there really more products, news stories and advertisements. It has to be some of both. Since making the decision to start a business and being wrapped up in getting it off the ground, I have been submersed in finding and researching how and where products are made. I have looked for the best products, that I can stand behind and products that have been made with the least amount of impact on our planet. I ask myself, why did we choose a business based on bamboo, organic cotton, natural home products and bath accessories? Why now?…..why green?
With so many “new” environmentally friendly products on the market today, are merchants going for the green or is this just one more way to go for the $green$. For The Bertsch Company it is for the environmental green. We felt that if we were going to sell anything that it should not be increasing our environmental footprint, we wanted to offer alternatives. Healthy alternatives for both people and the planet.
Since the inception of Good Fibers, the economy tanked, the stock market has plummeted, the unemployment rate has steadily been going up. At times I wonder, “What were we thinking?” I look back over the last 30 some years and the number of things that have been consumed. I have felt that this just couldn’t and should not continue. How could it if we have any regard for the planet and for future generations? Much of our economy has been largely based on consumption. Bigger houses, bigger cars, more rooms to fill, etc, etc. So….How are we going to make the changes to get a healthy economy and also take care of our planet? Is the concern for our environment here to stay or is it fair weathered?
I believe that we are at a major turning point in history. The last 200 years has had a huge amount of change and I believe that when we look back, this will be one more turning point. If we think about all the major changes; industrial, transaportation, information, technological. I think that this will be tagged – environmetal. I do not believe that people are going to give up the luxuries that they have become accustomed to over the past 40 years, but I do believe that people will be more selective, making educated choices in where these products come from and how they have been made. I believe that this will benefit the health of both the planet and individuals as we decrease the manufacturing and use of artifical materials. I find myself asking more questions about the products I purchase and weighing the value and the costs to both the environment and to my wallet. How about your choices? What questions are you asking and how are you making decisions?