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By: mZZ
Business:	Wild Planet Entertainment Toys	Posted On:	9 Jul 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Other - Overpackaging
Review Detail:	I bought the Hyperblast toy for my son. I was so impressed that the internal packaging is made from cardboard and not plastic. Thx for thinking of the environment.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	Cave & Cheney Insurance	Posted On:	7 Jul 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	Cave and Cheney of Texas mailed an unsolicited offer to the house. Neither the envelope nor the letter had any conspicuous indication of recycled paper, biodegradability, soy ink or the planting of trees. // I urge the company to become proactive immediately with regard to its waste, so that it be a leader in the financial-services industry. For one, every company office should have green-practices advocates who would look for ways to conserve and recycle. It is inexcusable for any company to wait until compelled to do the right thing. Thank you.

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By: mbendorf
Business:	Starbucks Coffee Shops	Posted On:	26 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Recycle
Review Detail:	I read someplace that the US uses the equivalent of 8 million trees annually just for store receipts. With that in mind, I really appreciate that Starbucks usually asks if I want a receipt before printing one out. Wish other retailer would follow suit.

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By: khaiyart
Business:	SummerWinds Nursery mountain view Household	Posted On:	23 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Other - Overpackaging
Review Detail:	Summerwinds is running for Mt View 2010 best green business but they sell iceplants - a horribly non native invasive species. I thought they would be better than Home Depot in this respect... This really makes me think twice about shopping here since I'd started frequenting then because they carry more organic and native plants.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	California Department of Motor Vehicles Other	Posted On:	21 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	On June 21, 2010, I received a renewal mailing for my driver's license, from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, "DMV". The enclosed letter told me that I could renew online. I thought that this was a very good option. However, the renewal mailing itself was quite unnecessary and environmentally unsound; if DMV were compelled by statute to mail, it should have sent a postcard on recycled, biodegradable paper, with references to online services and the option to receive a mailing printed on the card in soy ink. Money and trees would have been saved. I ask DMV to count me as a supporter if it needs legislation to make such a move. Also, I ask that DMV ask for e-mail addresses so as to facilitate a transition away from paper. Every DMV office, including headquarters, should have an assistant manager for green practices, who would continually look for every possible way to green the office and the transactions with the public. Thank you.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	CareMore Medical	Posted On:	21 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	This is the second message to Caremore, which provides health care for my parents. Today, June 21, two mailings came to the house, one for my father and the other for my mother. Each was an "EOB", "Explanation of Benefits". Caremore's attention to paperwork is commendable, but the paperwork is quite excessive and is going to lead to a major problem for Caremore. Not only is so much paper environmentally unsound, but, also, it is costly. The information in the two mailings today could have been transmitted to me via e-mail. To think that my eighty-seven year-old father with advanced macular degeneration and my eighty year-old mother would benefit from the mailings would be wishful thinking. // Caremore should use biodegrable, recycleable paper with soy ink at all times. The company should not hesitate to have fruit trees planted, not only for the oxygen generated and the carbon sequestered, but, also, because the harvesting and consumption of the fruit could be incorporated into Caremore's wise preventive program. Imagine a health-care company which invites its members to enjoy themselves by picking and eating fruit. // Every Caremore office should have an assistant manager for green practices, somebody who at all times would look for every way possible for the company to be green and who would take the lead in making Caremore a stellar example to American private sector. Thank you.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	Macula Vision Research Foundation Clubs	Posted On:	21 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	This is my second message to this foundation. Today, June 21, 2010, two mailings came to the house, one to my father and one to me. Each of us received the same mailing, a large newsletter. I repeat what was stated in the first message, namely, that the foundation needs to be more environmentally sensitive. Being sensitive would save money which then could be used for recycled paper which would be biodegradable and on which the text would be printed with soy ink. The foundation is in a position to set a much needed example for other nonprofit organizations and should not hesitate to do so. Thank you.

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By: mZZ
Business:	Starbucks Coffee Shops	Posted On:	21 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Other - Overpackaging
Review Detail:	My sister and I went to Starbucks. She asked for 2 pastries, the cashier didn't ask whether we were eating in or wanted the same bag, she automatically bagged them separately. What a waste. please consider training your staff not to be so wasteful - may seem little but given the number of customers you have I bet it makes a huge difference.

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By: khaiyart
Business:	Costco Supermarkets	Posted On:	17 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Recycle
Review Detail:	Woohoo! Costco is recycling and composting now! I first wrote a review on Consumer Change lamenting the waste situation at the sampling stations. http://consumerchange.com/feedbacks/view_business_feedback_list/191 I was impressed by Costco's detailed response on my post -- it further reinforced the positive feeling I had about Costco after learning about how well they treat their workers compared to Walmart. A month ago, I went to Costco and saw that they had placed recycling and composting bins at the tasting stations, and yesterday, I notice, there are even more bins around the warehouse for when you need to dispose of the sampling cups, liners, etc, as you walk around shopping. I am SO SO SO PLEASED I started sampling more again, and even ended up buying the new V8 juices they were offering as samples. Previous to this change, I wouldn't have sampled the product because it would have entailed throwing away paper cups into landfill, but at least now it is composted. It makes for a much more pleasant shopping experience. Oh, and recently I found organic basil plants there. Yay! I was definitely surprised it was organic, but now I am going to keep looking at their plant offerings in case any other organic herbs or veges show up! Kudos, Costco. Looking forward to seeing more green practices at your stores and feeling good frequenting Costco.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	American Express Credit Card	Posted On:	13 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	Another unsolicited mailing came from American Express. Again, no mention of recycled paper, biodegradability, soy ink or the planting of trees. I strongly urge American Express to have a "Green-Practices Advocate" to talk up and compel green practices before any more unsolicited mailings. The alternative is to ignore e-mail like this until a big faux pas result in expensive damage control. Thank you.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	Southern California Gas Company Utilities	Posted On:	8 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Other
Review Detail:	I received an e-mail today. I applaud the Southern California Gas Company for offering to make a donation if I go paperless with regard to billing: "The Gas Company(SM) has teamed up with the California State Parks Foundation to help protect California's magnificent state parks. The Gas Company will donate $5* to the California State Parks Foundation for every customer who goes paperless for this campaign. Paperless online billing is environmentally friendly, secure and a convenient way to receive and pay your bill. ... " // The Gas Company would have done better if this had been a school fundraiser: $5 for every switch to paperless by a family. Why not plan such a fundraiser now and announce in September? // What about people who do not use the Internet or online bill payment? How do we persuade them to go paperless? This could be tied to a school fundraiser. Somebody in the family would be designated to receive the online bill and notify the person. Even better, two family members would receive the online bill, which means that the gas company would have to modify the registration form a bit. // How about online bill payment? To protect the person, a bank can set up a payment account with an agreed-upon amount automatically transferred monthly into that account, in anticipation of coming payments. The payment-account data would be given to the gas company and other entities doing billing online. The harm from any breach of security would be minimal, because a relatively small amount would be in the account at any one time and only certain entities would be authorized to draw from it. // The gas company has a good idea which could become a great idea which others would emulate. Just a little thought and effort, well within the company's ability. Thank you.

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By: mZZ
Business:	Max's Restaurants	Posted On:	1 Jun 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Other - Styrofoam
Review Detail:	I was surprised when my leftovers came in a polystyrene box. Polystyrene is a known neuro-toxin and is banned as food container in over 30 cities including San Francisco, Berkeley and Palo Alto. Please consider switching to a more enviromentally friendly container going forward.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	US Bank Banks	Posted On:	29 May 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	US Bank has replied to recent e-mail, for which I thank the bank. Unfortunately, the problems persist and I cannot understand how a large bank with all its resources can be so very distant from conservation and sustainability. It is no excuse to say that conservation and sustainability have been lost in the transition planning. One does not have to have an MBA with a minor in environmental studies to understand what the salient themes of the day are. // The several unnecessary mailings to date add up to quite an expense, which means that if I were a shareholder, I would be furious over the lost profit. // On May 29, 2010, I received a mailed statement from US Bank about my checking account, transferred from California National Bank, which US Bank had bought. Apart from the absence of any indication of recycled paper, biodegradability, soy ink or the planting of trees, two disheartening facts accompanied the mailing: (1) California National Bank had mailed a similar statement in May and (2) I had begun using US Bank's online banking, making a mailed statement unnecessary. // I do not know what more could be said. Somebody at the bank has to become the proactive green advocate, with sufficient authorization and enthusiasm to nip these unconscionable problems before they become a public-relations liability for the bank. Thank you.

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By: aspafford
Business:	Freecycle Clubs	Posted On:	26 May 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reuse
Review Detail:	Freecycle is a fabulous organization that makes it easy to pass on useful items to people in your area (or to request items if you're looking for something yourself). I've been able to pass on plywood, grass seed, fertilizer, and spare cleaning supplies -- all products that thrift stores won't take -- that were just sitting the house unused. It's a great way to extend the life of items and contribute to your community at the same time. Highly recommended!

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By: vanajemian
Business:	Macula Vision Research Foundation Clubs	Posted On:	26 May 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	The Macula Vision Research Foundation does a seminar each year in Los Angeles. We received an announcement in the mail today. There was no indication of recycled paper, biodegradability, soy ink or planting trees. // It is understandable why the foundation would do a mailing and would use large type, as many of the recipients would have impaired vision and would not be computer savvy. Yes, one cannot give those as reasons not to be environmentally sensitive. // Two possible solutions: (a) have a more environmentally-responsive database: * send e-mail whenever possible, * avoid more than one mailing to an address, * find a way to reduce the needed information so that it fit on the back of a postcard. Thank you.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	Los Angeles Times Newspapers & Magazines	Posted On:	26 May 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	I remember that, back in the Seventies, I thought that the LOS ANGELES TIMES ranked with the NEW YORK TIMES in quality. But the times they are achangin'. The LOS ANGELES TIMES, like many newspapers, has competition from online news media. // I received a subscription solicitation from the TIMES today. No mention of recycled paper, biodegradability, soy ink or planting trees. The TIMES must become aware that extremely wasteful twentieth-century marketing is unacceptable in the twenty-first century. // Instead of spending so much money on unsolicited mailings, the TIMES might do better to invest that money in the next gizmo from a Stanford whiz kid, which means that the TIMES should have a presence on that campus.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	American Express Credit Card	Posted On:	22 May 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	It is now twelve days later since the post about the mail solicitation from American Express. I have received another mailing from Amex. Same problem, perhaps worse, because, for me to get a second mailing tells me that the Amex promotion is not going as well as the company would like, meaning that a considerable amount of paper has been wasted employing a twentieth-century type of marketing. // Amex has suggestions from the previous post. The question is whether it would see itself as a genuine corporate citizen.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Clubs	Posted On:	17 May 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	This organization mailed a donation solicitation which, neither on envelope or letter, said anything about recycled paper, biodegradability, soy ink or planting trees. To its credit, the organization did not pain us with address labels and was frugal in the use of paper in its mailing; however, these did not make up for the "twentieth century" mailing. // What might work well is if the organization planted trees with every donation, which would serve two purposes: honoring the fallen and improving the environment. Also, it would be good if the organization appointed an "assistant manager for green practices", to ensure that every activity be good for the Earth and good for America.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	Yes on 17 Clubs	Posted On:	17 May 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	We received a mailer at the house today from the "Yes on 17" committee in California. I saw the symbol indicating that the mailer was printed in a union shop, but there was no indication of recycled paper, biodegradability, soy ink or planting trees. We as individuals and organizations in America tend to be unidimensional, that is, we focus on one issue as if it were not connected to anything else. Just as insurance rates, the subject of Proposition 17, affect everyone, so does the use of paper and ink to send out a "Yes on 17" mailer. This is not the twentieth century, when we thought that we had the luxury to be wasteful because we thought that the planet had the capacity to absorb our waste.

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By: vanajemian
Business:	League of Women Voters of Calif. Education Fund Clubs	Posted On:	17 May 2010
Review:		Review Type:	Reduce, Reuse, Other
Review Detail:	A booklet containing pros and cons on the propositions for the coming June California election was mailed to the house by the League of Women Voters. The League must be applauded for attempting to educate California voters, more so in light of deceptive campaign advertising. // As for the environmental friendliness of the mailing, there was no indication of that other than, perhaps, that the booklet had been printed on newspaper stock. There was no indication of recycled paper, biodegradability, soy ink or planting trees. Also, I was surprised that there was no reference in large print to the League's "Smart Voter" Web site. // The League would benefit from having an innovations officer, somebody with a mandate to test ideas with local Leagues, in order to both increase voter knowledge and environmental friendliness. (Why an innovations officer? Recently, Common Cause instituted a program by which a donor would not donate until a candidate pledged to abide by certain rules. A variation of that had been put to the League a few years ago, but the program has not been implemented.)