Comments on: Is This Greenwashing? Zipcar Ad http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/ Greenwashing News: Following Misleading Claims About Environmental Benefits Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:02:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: bill http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-5739 bill Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:33:56 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-5739 Save your company money by using a zip car, which saves on travel time of bringing your own car to work, finding parking, and mileage and gas expenses. Companies can also rent luxury vehicles to impress their clients when entertaining. Save your company money by using a zip car, which saves on travel time of bringing your own car to work, finding parking, and mileage and gas expenses. Companies can also rent luxury vehicles to impress their clients when entertaining.

]]> By: robert http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-5210 robert Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:36:56 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-5210 Having a Zipcar eliminates the need for ownership which probably would lead to more frequent use. The occasional user will probably use public transit or bicycles the rest of the time using private cars other than Zipcars. The more this concept becomes popular there will be a reduction to the number of vehicles on the roads and thus less pollution. Having a Zipcar eliminates the need for ownership which probably would lead to more frequent use. The occasional user will probably use public transit or bicycles the rest of the time using private cars other than Zipcars. The more this concept becomes popular there will be a reduction to the number of vehicles on the roads and thus less pollution.

]]> By: new houses for sale in north idaho http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-5174 new houses for sale in north idaho Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:47:49 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-5174 The most appealing thing about Zipcar for a lot of people is that it’s an environmentally friendly way to get around during those times when mass transit isn’t an option. The most appealing thing about Zipcar for a lot of people is that it’s an environmentally friendly way to get around during those times when mass transit isn’t an option.

]]> By: david http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-4806 david Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:17:14 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-4806 Zip cars are great as you can take the transit to work and use zip cars for grocery shopping and the occasional outing that would be too inconvenient to take public transit! Zip cars are great as you can take the transit to work and use zip cars for grocery shopping and the occasional outing that would be too inconvenient to take public transit!

]]> By: pat http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-4451 pat Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:39:01 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-4451 It is especially valuable if you are within walking distance of a Zip car lot. Otherwise you need to figure out how to get to the car in the first place--cab, public transit often negate the Zip convenience and/or cost savings. There are calculators on their website that you can use to figure out whether it would be more affordable for you to use a Zip car versus own a car. That said, I think it is most important to consider your specific usage requirements, and proximity to a Zip car lot. It is especially valuable if you are within walking distance of a Zip car lot. Otherwise you need to figure out how to get to the car in the first place–cab, public transit often negate the Zip convenience and/or cost savings. There are calculators on their website that you can use to figure out whether it would be more affordable for you to use a Zip car versus own a car. That said, I think it is most important to consider your specific usage requirements, and proximity to a Zip car lot.

]]> By: Cyrus http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-3318 Cyrus Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:10:37 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-3318 Hi Kevin, That is an impressive statistic! (1:49 vehicles) I sure hope that is the case. As with a number of the other posts on this blog, we don't necessarily think the product or service is not helpful, but the term "eco-friendly" leaves a lot of gray area for people to play in. Cheers, Cyrus Hi Kevin,
That is an impressive statistic! (1:49 vehicles)

I sure hope that is the case. As with a number of the other posts on this blog, we don’t necessarily think the product or service is not helpful, but the term “eco-friendly” leaves a lot of gray area for people to play in.

Cheers,
Cyrus

]]> By: Tom http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-3292 Tom Mon, 08 Nov 2010 03:48:43 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-3292 Kyle, Thanks for your comment. I understand why Cyrus, the author of the post, may be torn by the advertising. I agree that the concept of Zip Car is a good one. I use another service in San Francisco called City Car Share. For me, living in an urban area, I have no need to own a car, and I drive less as a result. When I do need a car, one is available. "Drive Differently" is a an adman's phrase - and a good one. But it may need more clarification so people understand the value of a model like Zip Car and others. Kyle,
Thanks for your comment. I understand why Cyrus, the author of the post, may be torn by the advertising. I agree that the concept of Zip Car is a good one. I use another service in San Francisco called City Car Share. For me, living in an urban area, I have no need to own a car, and I drive less as a result. When I do need a car, one is available.

“Drive Differently” is a an adman’s phrase – and a good one. But it may need more clarification so people understand the value of a model like Zip Car and others.

]]> By: kyle http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-3262 kyle Sun, 07 Nov 2010 05:29:05 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-3262 I first have to complement you on the content of your site. The only thing worse than marketers is marketers jumping on the green bandwagon who dont deserve it. Having said that, I've been doing some research on this for a project, and most studies that I have found show that this service does help the environment. Because this service enables users to drive only by appointment, and they get charged by the hour and mile, there is a significant decrease in car usage relative to car owners. This leads, of course, to less, more efficient trips, as well as more walking, biking, and public transportation. It also tends to discourage members from buying cars which, one could argue, has a small affect on manufacturing waste. Depending on the city, I have found research that shows that every 1 America shared car replaces (on average) 49 consumer owned cars. It is still a small fraction compared to the overall US market, but I would argue that shared car services have earned their green-washed advertising scheme. -kyle I first have to complement you on the content of your site. The only thing worse than marketers is marketers jumping on the green bandwagon who dont deserve it.

Having said that, I’ve been doing some research on this for a project, and most studies that I have found show that this service does help the environment.

Because this service enables users to drive only by appointment, and they get charged by the hour and mile, there is a significant decrease in car usage relative to car owners. This leads, of course, to less, more efficient trips, as well as more walking, biking, and public transportation.

It also tends to discourage members from buying cars which, one could argue, has a small affect on manufacturing waste. Depending on the city, I have found research that shows that every 1 America shared car replaces (on average) 49 consumer owned cars.

It is still a small fraction compared to the overall US market, but I would argue that shared car services have earned their green-washed advertising scheme.

-kyle

]]> By: dlf http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-2026 dlf Sat, 11 Sep 2010 02:46:04 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-2026 Renting a zipcar when required helps relieves daily congestion and parking issues. Less cars on the road help reduce the amount of pollution in the air. You learn to depend less on driving an take up healthier activities such as walking, biking, or taking transit. Renting a zipcar when required helps relieves daily congestion and parking issues. Less cars on the road help reduce the amount of pollution in the air. You learn to depend less on driving an take up healthier activities such as walking, biking, or taking transit.

]]> By: new homes for sale in north idaho http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2009/03/04/is-this-greenwashing-zipcar-ad/comment-page-1/#comment-1755 new homes for sale in north idaho Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:04:02 +0000 http://thegreenwashingblog.com/?p=61#comment-1755 Love this new idea! This can greatly help mother earth by reducing the pollution. It's a great because you can drive without really buying a car. Love this new idea! This can greatly help mother earth by reducing the pollution. It’s a great because you can drive without really buying a car.

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