Re: sustainable swag

Deborah Taylor-Pearce wrote:
> But for subjects such as improved website accessibility or "greening" 
> our offices and industrial processes, where the end goal is -- or, at 
> least at some point, was -- to have as many of us voluntarily adopt 
> the standard as possible, this approach is counter-productive.

On the other hand, some we would mostly welcome as consumers. The Fair 
Trade standard, for example, or the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) 
stickers which purportedly assure us of the sustainable origin of wooden 
products. We don't need to read an essay but we can do if we wish to (a 
summary of the FSC standards is here: 
http://www.cpet.org.uk/evidence-of-compliance/category-a-evidence/approved-schemes/forest-stewardship-council-fsc)

> As far as the graphic design and print trades are concerned, I think 
> we should bring back the colophon, and forget about the "standard".

Up to a point. As makers of things we all want to tread as lightly as 
possible on the planet and our fellows. Following a sensible standard 
(and I agree, something like ISO 14001 is overkill, at least for small 
organisations) is a good, quick way of indicating that we are doing our 
best.

But our best is often ambiguous in its effects. Using paper made from 
recycled fibres sounds good but, depending on the recycling process, its 
energy and chemical-impact costs, and its robustness as a product, may 
not always turn out to be a 'good thing'.

best

-- 
Mark Barratt
Text Matters

Information design: we help explain things using
language | design | systems | process improvement
____________________________________________
phone +44 (0)118 986 8313  email [email protected]
web http://www.textmatters.com

___________________________________________________________________

Use the following address to post a message to all subscribers: 
 [email protected]

To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, visit:
 http://list.InformationDesign.org/mailman/listinfo/infodesign-cafe

For all Information Design matters:
 http://InformationDesign.org

Problems? Write to:
 [email protected]
___________________________________________________________________