Comments on: A Brilliantly Simple Green Business Idea

By: Nick Aster

Nick Aster — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:46:15 +0000

Soakmen, Ray – You’re right that donating money is less important that having companies actually change the way they do things. But – the fact is that people respond to gimmicks. Many people who might otherwise not cough up money to support worthy causes are inspired to do so when it’s an add-on to something they already plan to do – like buying something online. So there’s certainly no harm in this, and if these guys can make a buck in the process, more power to ‘em. As you say, the real icing on the cake comes if they can present new options to people – something that would likely earn them even more as affiliates via their recommendation system. It’s a pretty smooth idea.

By: Soakmen

Soakmen — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 01:28:12 +0000

I think Ray raises a valid point. He’s not really cynical when he suggest that merely donating money to whatever charity is basically fluff – it is fluff! It’s feel good. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but why should I care if buying X or Y product donates money to some charity??? I would much rather know that company X or Y is run responsibly, or is helping to bring people into the middle class by means of their hiring practices. I don’t care about handing out money.
That said, if this product really works – and really gives people choices that influence them in a greener direction, I’m all for it. But I’d like to see real evidence of that before I jump on the bandwagon!

By: Tal Ater

Tal Ater — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:04:55 +0000

Hi Ray.
I understand the skepticism… I’m a big skeptic myself and always bashing green washers… But GAS isn’t one of those.
As opposed to some start ups (e.g. green search engines) who claim to help the environment but don’t really say how much they are giving away, GAS is completely transparent.
We donate 100% of our revenue from greening purchases to environmental charities. Those charities are chosen by our registered users.
Every cent we get and every cent we give is reported and tracked on our blog for complete transparency. Including publishing affiliate reports, and receipts for donations.
And as for being a “feel good gimmick”, I don’t agree… The percentage sites give to affiliates is quite substantial, usually 5%-20%. I think that is quite substantial, and can have one hell of an impact. Can you imagine a better way to get retailers to donate even 5% of their revenues to the environment?
I really hope you take a second to check it out for yourself. And if there’s anything else, I’d love to hear from you here or on my email (tal@talater.com)

By: Paul Smith

Paul Smith — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:12:36 +0000

It’s easy to be cynical. More difficult to actually look into something, see what it’s actually doing. Try it perhaps?

By: Ray Taub

Ray Taub — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:23:36 +0000

Assuming the advertising actually leads people to make “greener” choices, then this is a compelling concept, but spare me the “we donate money to a green cause stuff”, that’s pure fluff.
A more interesting question is – would amazon, for example, tolerate the fact that their advertising might be driving people away to other products elsewhere? Basically this is another feel good gimmick, and hardly what I’d call a “green business idea”.