Why shouldn’t products from around the world be sold in museums, aquariums and zoos that present animals, plants and minerals from around the world? If you want only “organic” products, then you will have to take a hard look at everything that supposedly goes into making and marketing an “organic” product. I’m all for organic, but the lax and unsupported claims by many – including American-made organic products, makes me question the validity of many of those products.

World trade is important. Everyone deserves a chance to sell their products and no one should object to products from other countries “being made by exploited workers and being sold next to books on going green.” We live in a world economy, like it or not. We are one world. The only exploited workers I know personally are the coffee pickers for the so-called “organic, fair trade” coffee growers. If you ever knew what really goes on in the “fair trade” movement and the lack of oversight, it would curl your hair. You’d need a budget and staff as large as the FDA to oversee this kind of thing in any kind of practical and real way. Until then, get rid of plastic as much as you can, but let people in third world countries make a living from their beautifully made hand-crafted items.

Is there an inherent paradox in being a conservation organization when you don’t live up to your highest ideals in every aspect of your business practices? Of course there is. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we wrestle with that paradox every day, and do our best to improve our practices step by step. We’re never going to get to perfect. But we’ll keep getting better.

To the comments about the merchandise we sell. Yes, we carry products that Erica and others criticize. We also carry items made out of organic, sustainable & renewable materials. We use recycled plastic in other products (the “fleece from Guatemala” being one example), and offer rainforest-friendly plush penguins and sea otters made of kapok and organic dyes.

We try to offer items that are designed to last, and to be kept – not discarded. In fact, we’re criticized by visitors for not having enough affordable (read: cheap plastic) souvenirs on sale.

Our buyers work with suppliers to minimize packaging –- both what you see on the shelf and what they wrap it in to ship it to us. In that sense, we’re changing the industries that supply us, so we can have an impact beyond our walls.

It’s fair to question whether we should sell anything at all. But we know that kids learn and remember marine conservation messages through things like plush toys.

There’s a tradeoff, and we try to balance the educational value of what we carry –- and the revenue that sales contribute to our conservation & education programs –- against the environmental footprint of the products. It’s not a perfect calculation, and I can’t disagree with anyone who argues for a simpler life with less stuff.

As for our food service: Bon Appétit Management Co. is our partner and deserves a LOT more credit than it’s been given here. It’s an industry leader with its low-carbon diet. It buys local (and organic) for us and for hundreds of other clients nationwide. It was the first to adopt Seafood Watch guidelines company-wide, and took that commitment to its own parent company, Compass Group North America — the largest food service company in the U.S. and Canada.

Its “plastic” containers are all made from compostable vegetable-based materials –- and we do sort and compost them from our trash containers, along with other organic kitchen waste. Ditto for the small amount of “plastic” cutlery they have available. It’s made from potato starch and is collected for composting.

I couldn’t disagree more with the folks who say the food is junk. It’s outstanding by any standards, and the kids’ meals are healthier than most -– and always offer fruit as an alternative to French fries. Bon Appétit is cutting back on water and other beverages sold in plastic bottles. It’s eliminated all imported bottled water.

Ken Peterson, Communications Director
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Maybe I’ll get inspired and even quote directly from her letter when I write mine. It’s the same issue and it’s happening all over the country.

My friend, called Peng, travels a lot but I don’t. I have to sit on my exercise ball all day – see my blog of explanation. I am jealous of Penguins – they have so much more freedom than us poorer plush.

Paula (a stuffed duck) and Frog (a stuffed frog)

Beth and I stopped getting new plush toys a while ago, in part because we had more than enough already, and partly because we decided to lavish our affection on the kittens instead. We have however adopted a few stuffed animals we find on the street or in resale stores.

Maybe when we write letters to companies like this we should only mention one aspect and nothing else in case the company ends up getting distracted.

Needless to say I was not happy with my response from Sainsburys and continue to confuse the cashiers when I buy my pastry items from the bakery without any wrapping on them as the only choice is a plastic bag. There aren’t even any napkins.

Keep up the good work and I am certain continual badgering will make a change.

I plan to swipe the outline of this letter to use in my own letter to Sea World (yeah, it’s been brewing a long time but better late than never)!

Andrew Fischer
General Manager of Merchandising
Monterey Bay Aquarium
831-648-4945 P
831-648-4989 F
afischer@mbayaq.org

I have read your exchanges with Erica Edelson, as these appear on the blog Fake Plastic Fish http://www.fakeplasticfish.com/2008/06/we-can-either-have-plastic-toy-sharks.html
with interest.

I am a mother of two, and a health practitioner who founded the End of The World of Plastics Campaign 2008.

You heard Erica regarding goods manufactured overseas, but did not respond to her concerns regarding offering plastic, and plastic packaged items.

As a mother, I know that my children inevitable beg for souvenirs, and I choose to offer them consumable or other responsible choices.
Sometimes, however, others buy my children souvenirs – often plastic figurines, key chains or “tchatchka”.
These items are discarded fairly quickly and we both know that, tragically, they end up in landfill or in our oceans, poisoning and choking wildlife for the next 575 years.

As a health practitioner, I help many men and women who struggle with endocrine disruption, another deadly impact of plastics consumption, as the chemicals pre and post consumer enter our water table and foods.

I beg you to revitalize your mission and develop a new vision for your gift shop – one that develops local, environmentally responsible goods. An artist friend of mine crafts clay figures and pendant reproductions for the Royal Ontario Museum. Developing similar, local relationships and rejecting conventional plastic “souvenirs” could enhance your relationship to the community and to our world.

Sincerely,

–
Tracey TieF
Certified Natural Health Practitioner
anarreshealth@gmail.com
http://www.anarreshealth.ca

DIY Natural Cleaning Party!
Thursday, June 12, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
True Human Rights Action Centre, 624 Yonge Street, 2nd fl. above Green is Black

Cost: Suggested donation of $10, plus $5 per product you come home with. RSVP.

TRUE Human Rights Centre is hosting a Do-It-Yourself green cleaning party in partnership with Anarres Natural Health and Women’s Voices for the Earth. You’ll go home with your very own set of easy-to-make cleaning products (plus recipes) that have been tested for effectiveness and are good for your health and the environment!

Bring empty spritzer and squeeze bottles for yourself and to share.