Presumably anyone reading this article is interested in making environmentally sound decisions and living a low-impact lifestyle. Many of us are willing to make an extra effort, go that extra step to do something that we perceive is better for the environment. But the question that many people are now asking (and we all should be evaluating) is what is the environmental impact of those extra efforts? Is it possible that the efforts we make to be “green” are actually more damaging to the environment to the alternative behavior? And if so, where do we draw the line? Is there some value in the effort itself that mitigates any potential net loss from the perceived green behavior?

I’ve been thinking a lot about this issue while evaluating our companies’ recycling program and environmental policy. For the most part our programs have worked well and we’ve had a lot of participation within our organization and from our customers. I think a big part of the effort is just getting people in the mindset of looking for ways to conserve resources and produce less waste. However, I think that once an individual or organization has obtained this awareness it is important to shift focus and attention to refining the underlying processes and programs. For example, we are looking at implementing central collection points for our recycling program so the lights do not have to be mailed to us.

I use this example only because it is one that is familiar to me and to illustrate the point that we need to be cautious in evaluating the net impact of our efforts. This is not to say that we should over analysis this matter and waste untold resources trying to determine which option is more green. In some respects I think there is a substantial and immeasurable benefit to fostering a mindset in consumers towards environmental awareness–even if the net benefit is questionable.

We all need to develop an awareness of the impact our lives have on our environment and the cost of gaining this awareness may mean that some of our efforts fall short of a net environmental gain. However, it is important that we do not loose site of the ultimate objective during the development of this new awareness.