[webuyitgreen.com]

I've been thinking about the effects of "green" everything becoming mainstream. I think it's great that the broader economy is moving in the right direction, but have been wondering if it might not pose some serious problems for existing green businesses that have been part of a niche industry up until now. What will happen to these smaller businesses if green becomes the standard, and every company from Pottery Barn to Walmart begins investing in various programs/endorsements to certify that their products are green? As someone who promotes green and fair trade businesses, I am concerned that people will eventually no longer enter something like "green clothing" or "green products" into search engines because they will just begin to assume that all products are green.

If you own a green business, I'm wondering if you have specific strategies in mind for responding to this change. If you are a green consumer, I'm wondering if you think you or other people would continue to shop the smaller green and fair trade shops, or will everyone migrate to the big name brands for their green products?

[fashionaddict]

Good comment. I think the more mainstream green living becomes, it will be harder for large businesses to continue with to manufacture so much inventory. It seems that the larger your business is, the less green you are, especially places like Wal Mart and the dollar store. Their prices are low, because the manufacturing process uses cheap plastics and chemicals that are unhealthy.

So for them to be green they would have to raise the prices to afford green products, that aren't made in a sweatshop with all that nasty stuff.

Also, I think the smaller businesses will be able to compete, because prices would even out across the board a little.

This is my optimistic opinion, and only works if we really do become a society where our actions are based on thinking of the future health of Earth and all the inhabitants.
Does that make sense? Sometimes what I write comes out a little different than what I am thinking.

[mollyL]

I understood what you said, Fashion. That would be the optimistic answer and I hope that's the way it happens. Honestly, I had never considered the ramifications on small business that a large green movement might bring. I think the niche idea is correct; the nearest big town to us has had a large green presence for quite a while. You can buy organic clothing pretty easily, but there are lots of niche stores such as hemp clothing, business clothing, yoga clothing, etc.

[Green-Moo]

Being terribly pessimistic, I honestly can't see 'green' becoming completely mainstream. And with advances in knowledge and technology, there will always be a greener option.

[tater03]

I have to say that I agree with you spot on when you state that places like Walmart and the Dollar Store will find it harder to go totally green. I would love to see that happen though.