Watch Video: SwapSimple Helps Clean Up the Environment - Through Swapping!
Hey Gang,
We had an awesome week with NBC in the office. They were great and did a whole story on how swapping helps save the planet. It's true! People buy so much stuff, and then just throw it away! Now with swapping, they can find new homes for their unwanted possessions, get more things in return, and help save the planet in the process!
It really does make a difference, and we couldn't be happier about playing a small role in helping our planet stay healthy.
2 Comments:
At Aug 31, 2007 7:34:00 PM, Anonymous said…
While I appreciate swap sites like SwapSimple for the ability to give my unwanted items to someone who does want them, I find it a bit odd to angle it as being "green."
You say that these items might otherwise be tossed away, though I doubt that most of your members are the sort to do that. My guess is that most would find a friend or local nonprofit to give their items to.
You also suggest that swapping items will reduce new ones from being manufactured, but is that necessarily true. Companies already make much more than they can sell, and I really wonder if swap sites will have that big an effect on that.
Biggest of all though, what about all of the shipments that are involved in actually conducting swaps? Not only does this require paper to print labels and packaging to wrap the items in (which may or may not be reused), but think of all of the vehicles (trucks, planes, etc.) that are needed to transport the items.
Maybe I'm just too skeptical for my own good, but lately, it seems like everyone's trying to get on the "green" bandwagon, sometimes just to boost business. Sure, there are some things about these businesses that may seem green, but what about the parts that aren't at all.
At Sep 1, 2007 2:14:00 PM, Elliot E. Hirsch said…
Thanks for your comment!
While I appreciate your perspective, I must admit that I do not agree.
If demand for a particular item drops, then so too does production - and every little bit helps in that respect.
Regarding the tossing of items: It's true that, especially SwapSimple community members, are probably not people who would simply throw books and other media items away. However, they are ones to "donate" items to places like the GoodWill, etc. The problem is that these outlets, although better than simply throwing goods away, do have limited space to warehouse items. What happens at GoodWill is that they go through all the donations, take the best items, and throw away the rest. So truthfully, there is a lot going to waste because they simply cant house all the material. By swapping, people are able to keep 100% of their items out of the landfill if they so choose.
Regarding transportation of items: There is only so much a particular solution can do, and one needs to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. I would argue that the NET effect of swapping items is of far greater benefit to the environment, as opposed to not swapping at all. The amount of natural resources used, and the environmental impact of transporting items is far less than the environmental impact sustained from not having individuals reuse items through swapping.
Do you not recycle at home because a truck has to come and pick up your materials? Sure you do, because the NET effect is positive.
I understand your frustration with companies falsely hopping on the environmental bandwagon. Please know that we all at SwapSimple are firm supporters of the environmental movement, and in no way would we associate ourselves with being "green" unless we truthfully felt it to be a part of our goals, and beliefs.
Even though you may consider swapping to be of minimal environmental impact, please know that every little bit helps. Recycling media does make a difference, and it's important to get people thinking more about re-use.
SwapSimple is also participating in Blog Action Day on October 15th, 2007 - in order to bring more attention to the growing environmental crisis we all find ourselves in. Here is a clip about the event:
"On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future."
More info is at:
Blog Action Day Website
Again, thank you for your thoughtful comment, and I hope you choose to join us on SwapSimple!
Talk soon,
Elliot
Elliot E. Hirsch
Co-Founder, SwapSimple.com
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