Google has recently come out with specialized paper containing dormant seeds that are capable of sprouting and growing when the paper is planted - and they're not the only company to latch onto this idea.
On the one hand, this may seem like a corporate green-washing tactic to tag onto the sustainability bandwagon for profit generation, but could it potentially play a role in promoting environmental awareness and the conscientious disposal of our waste products?
Google has become iconic for its innovative ideas, and though this new paper product may not scan well as a consumer material, one of the most powerful and influential companies in the world is now actively promoting the *idea* of sustainability as "cool". Surely that's a step in the right direction.
By Katie L
Now the question is, are those seeds native to their new environment? Are they compatible with the local ecosystem, or are they going to be invasive species that take over the ecosystem and choke off other species, as well as costing much money to weed and/or apply herbicides to? We have to be very careful with choosing the species of seed in that paper - it has to reflect the local ecosystem. Google better have done it's research well! (Here's a job opportunity for under- or graduate biology/ecology students!!) Still, with globalization, it's nearly impossible to control which seeds are planted where.
ReplyDeleteAs well, the process of harvesting/transporting wildflower seeds and then inserting them into the paper may actually be more costly than it's worth... it may even end up costing some energy to produce, thereby reducing the environmental benefit of 100% recycled-materials paper.
Greenwashing, to the max, on this one. People are aware of environmental issues already; all stuff like this does is make people more jaded over the lack of real action.
Recycled paper is often full of contaminants due to the ink toner used and other ingredients that are certainly less than organic. Also, I don't believe the letter was printed using soy-based ink as if it did, it probably would have stated this at the bottom.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Google is certainly spearheading sustainability efforts. They cover their parking lots at their corporate campus with solar panels. However, to compare showcase projects with actual environmental impacts is a different question entirely.