Home Depot Taps the Green Market
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.19.06
We often bemoan the loss of the small neighbourhood hardware stores, which were squished out of existence by Home Depot, but we cannot deny that they have everything and are a lot cheaper. As Mairi noted in April, In Canada, they are also giving us a lot of "eco-options"- "designed to give you fresh environmentally friendly product options for your home and home improvement needs. Using products that improve energy and water efficiency, air quality, and reduce toxicity helps you enjoy a healthier lifestyle and save money!" They now have over 1,300 products and are aiming for 2,000, and this season's "Dream Book" catalogue, out today ,is dedictated to Eco Options. "We don't pretend by any means to be a green company" said spokesman Nick Cowling "but we know our customers are aware of these issues and we were pretty sure that a lot of them wanted to do something about it." Who knows, Nick, soon you might find it pays to be a green company from footings to fascia. ::Eco-options via ::National Post
I was pretty excited to see all of their 1x4 pine stock was FSC certified as well as some of their interior doors are FSC certified. Then every so often they will have agrifiber board. So it is on a limited bases you see this stuff (at least in my area), but it is promissing and would be nice to see them add some signs to tell people the benifits of purchasing these products over others.
Home Depot is one of the largest single retailers of old growth rainforest wood and
wood products on Earth.
So, yeah. Hooray for Home Depot!
I'd dispute that they have everything. I regularly walk out of Home Depot and the like shaking my head because of lack of customer service and crappy quality.
If you want a metric ton of spackle, you are fine. If you want specialized stuff for old houses? Special order...
Sounds like a step in the right direction. How can I get a copy of this Dream Book? (preferably online)
It's nice they're adding green items to their lineup, but one thing is missing in my experience: awareness on the part of the employees. I've been to Home Depot a LOT over the past few years, and I don't think I've ever had anyone mention the environmental aspects of any product. Sometimes if I bring it up I get confused looks. For example, the garden staff haven't known what's a native and not a native plant in my area.
It's still a wilderness when you walk in those doors. There might be some "green" stuff in there, but as far as finding it goes, you're on your own, cowboy.