the world through GREEN colored glasses...

We are in the midst of a budding ECOdemic. Loving the Earth is no longer a faux-pas. Tree hugging is hip. If People magazine were to publish a Sexiest Trend Alive issue this year, "Going Green" would be on the cover. But how compatible are consumerism and popular culture with the ideology of sustainability?

Through this blog, I take a look at popular culture - and more - through GREEN colored glasses.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Eco barbie?

As many in the green blogosphere have commented on, Mattel recently hopped on the greenwagon releasing Barbie BCause collection. The items are all made from re-purposed fabric that the toy company would otherwise have thrown away. But from lead paint to underpaid workers, Mattel doesn't exactly have a true green history.

" 'Barbie is always a reflection of current cultural trends and issues, and girls are increasingly aware of making a green statement,' said Richard Dickson, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Worldwide, Mattel Brands. 'Barbie BCause is for eco-conscious girls who believe that being environmentally-friendly is the right thing to do, and we are thrilled to give extra meaning and extra style to what was once just extra Barbie doll fabric.' "

Smells like a load of greenwash, but the framing of the company's motives with the controversial product line are interesting. Shaping young minds is an important aspect of creating a culture of sustainability, but encouraging this kind of green consumerism doesn't seem like the right direction.

0 Comments:

get your green on!