As some of you may know, I am the Featured Business Blogger at the Mother Nature Network. I write about a variety of green business topics including LEED certified buildings, green office tips, and green jobs. Last week, I received a press release about a new facility owned by Nestle Waters North America that received LEED Gold certification. Achieving LEED Gold certification is no easy feat but I was troubled by the irony of the situation – a green building that manufactures plastic bottled water.
This morning, I decided to sit down and write the article. I’m curious what your thoughts are on this. Do you think it is a contradiction to certify a building as “green” when it produces something that is in such opposition to the concept of being green? Here’s a link, I’d love for you to read it and share your opinion with me: Bottled water facility earns LEED certification.
Photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis
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In the big picture of things, I think a LEED certified building is a great thing. Who knows, it might be changed over to producing something other than bottled water in the future. The question is, does this kind of initiative allow companies to greenwash and change the public perception? Is there a point at which we are tempted to say that they are a green company and then ignore other aspects of their business? Aren’t we all tempted to believe that things are just fine and that they are improving?
Thanks for the comment Alison and you make a good point and ask some great questions. I think that for some people new to the concepts of sustainability and earth-friendly practices may see this stamp of approval by the USGBC and think “great, a green company” when they should be thinking “great, a green building” instead. It will be interesting to see how things play out in the years to come.