Comments on: Green pizza?

By: Pia

Pia — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:20:03 +0000

Hi Candice

I totally get where you’re coming from – and I agree that one does need to see real action to back up the promises. I like to give folks the benefit of the doubt, but perhaps I’m just too much of an optimist! I’ll be following this one up… so far no response to my email to the St Elmo’s marketing department, but I’ll get hold of them one way or the other… and I certainly won’t let this one slide.

By: Candice

Candice — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:32:52 +0000

hi guys yeah, i might be harsh, but if you have seen what i have seen from corporates who claim to be green, you wouldn't be surprised by the amount of lying they are willing to do. it's even easier for st. elmo's to get away with greenwashing cos no one is checking on them. they're the first pizza joint to do this, so they can earn kudos just by SAYING they are THINKING about greenness. well whoop-di-twang. you can TALK all you want, but that's not going to save the planet. please go and read some george monbiot letters - then you can truly see how ruthlessly companies will LIE about green stuff. (i'm not saying st. elmo's IS lying... i'm just saying that i want proof. i won't belive it til i see it) Candices last blog post..review: Shared Earth magazine

By: Pia

Pia — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:17:16 +0000

Hi Amelia

I haven’t seen any others either… so I’m hoping that even if St Elmos are not doing exactly as they claim, that when they realise the support for environmentally friendly practices, they’ll shape up and get to it! In any case, I have now contacted their marketing department, so hopefully will get some concrete answers forthwith.

By: Pia

Pia — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:54:31 +0000

Hi Candice – good to see the Aspirant Locavore is still around and as feisty as ever! I’ll admit I was concerned that this might be greenwashing, but I am ever the optimist in cases like these…

I like what they’re trying to do, and I’m hoping that they really are going through with it, in all their outlets, and that they’re being consistent. The fact that the pamphlets are being printed on sappi triple green is a good start, I think – and one I don’t think they’d be able to lie about?

I guess it’s hard to know how to verify that what they are claiming is true. I will, though, contact them directly, and see what they have to say on that score.

Dax: agreed – and one day when they offer wheat-free pizza, I might just be able to support them actively!

By: Amelia

Amelia — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:28:48 +0000

While I agree with Candice on the greenwashing, I also think that at least it is some kind of a start. I haven’t noticed any other fast food chains even attempting greenwashing, let alone making any real contributions, so perhaps a step in the right direction? Or am I just desperate?

By: Dax

Dax — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:22:39 +0000

I agree, this sort of attitude deserves some support. As consumers we need to show that this is what we want. Daxs last blog post..& Union review

By: Candice

Candice — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:21:55 +0000

hi pia

while i wish i could be as enthusiastic as you are, i must admit that i am not as taken with st. elmo’s random promises…

perhaps i am overly influenced by george monbiot (author of ‘Heat’ and environmental activist and award-winning journalist for The Guardian in the UK). his website (turnuptheheat.org) exposes greenwashing (companies which are jumping on the green bandwagon and making wonderful claims which cannot be substantiated).

please go and read his letter to the CEO of Tesco’s in the UK in which he challenges many of their random ‘green goals’. as he rightly points out, none of these goals is to be independently audited – so how do we know that they are being met at all and not just being used as a marketing ploy to make consumers ‘feel better’ about shopping there?
(http://www.turnuptheheat.org/?page_id=13)

st. elmo’s and other fast food chains come under even less scrutiny than supermarkets (especially in this country). who is going to check that st. elmo’s actually meets any of these goals? besides which, when st. elmo’s sayd they are “looking into ways” to reduce energy usage, i get nervous. this means diddly squat. it doesn’t commit them to actually DO anything concrete.

come on st. elmo’s – we’re not idiots. make REAL measurable goals, go for them, get someone independent to audit the results and publish them as a challenge to other fast food chains. stop greenwashing us.

Candices last blog post..review: Shared Earth magazine