It’s because I still like to watch some movies, particularly classics and some foreign films that aren’t as easy to find in the video store. And I do watch some new releases as well. I know we’re human, and movies can be fun (when you pick a good one, that is).

Why Netflix? Well, I know more about them since I’m a customer.

If you think about it, Netflix is basically the paid sharing of DVDs on a large scale. So, the reuse aspect is appealing. Besides, there are very few movies I actually want to own. And renting from a mail service like Netflix eliminates the need to drive to the video rental store.

According to Netflix:

“If Netflix members drove to and from a rental store, they would consume 800,000 gallons of gasoline and release more than 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.”

But what about the paper used to send and return?

I’ll admit: I’m impressed by their mailing system. The simple mailer they use to send you a DVD can be easily turned back into the return envelope. All you have to do is tear off the portion with your address and put it into your recycling bin. Then you reuse the rest.

Does Netflix recycle the return mailers that are sent back to them?

I sent an e-mail to Netflix to ask this question. The response I received (in less than 24 hours) was that they do indeed recycle the return mailers.

Netflix also allows you to download some movies online each month, but I’ve never been able to get that feature to work for me since I have a Macintosh computer. Apparently I’d need Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista.

Now the not-so-green thing about it.

According to Netflix:

“Netflix members say they rent twice as many movies per month than they did before joining the service.”

It’s easy to see how members would watch twice as many movies since it’s more convenient, plus there’s the teeming queue awaiting you. Also, with some packages, the rate is the same no matter how many movies you watch each month.

So, isn’t this encouraging more DVD watching (more electricity usage)? Yes it is, but Netflix can’t really control how many movies you choose to watch. That’s up to you.

What do you think? Is Netflix a good choice for the environment, or should you just download an occasional movie from iTunes?

(DVD images are from Netflix. Actually, they are in my queue right now.)

Post from: Tree Hugging Family