This “Earth Week,” it was refreshing to see Americans growing passion for all things “green.”

Obviously, the Independent-Mail’s going to a respectable-yet-cheeky European tabloid format wasn’t a hard sell for this Londoner.

But it was heartening to hear many of our subscribers who were skeptical of the change come around when we pointed out that the new, compact size would save 26 acres of trees each year.

It’s sad that American corporations are several years behind their European brethren in recognizing the benefits to their products and their brands when the environment becomes a major factor in decisionmaking.

By the looks of the number of television ads touting green credentials of one sort or another, we’re catching up fast.

As an opinion leader in the communities we cover, the Independent-Mail appropriately has plans to show leadership by example on this issue by sponsoring new newspaper recycling points.

But it’s at times like these that I miss the pugnacious press I grew up with that relished crusading for a cause.

Our community boasts many good corporate citizens who actively participate in United Way fundraising campaigns and encourage or offer incentives for employees to volunteer their time to improve their communities.

But it’s hard to believe our community’s corporations are doing as much as they can for environmentalism.

Just the other day, I was at a major, upscale supermarket who’s savvy marketing and branding has helped craft a quick reputation for friendliness and freshness and, by extension, “goodness.”

You could find the hip canvas bags that are now popular alternatives to the plastic ones we typically throw away or, at best, stockpile under the sink.

But out front, the recycling point for those plastic bags we’d like to get off our conscience was so small and nondescript, visually identical to a trash can, that it seems unlikely to catch the eye — or be used.

Supermarkets and shopping centers are a natural hub for neighborhoods and for a wide range of our daily activities, so you’d think they’d see the competitive advantage of offering full-service recycling drop-off points.

It seems puzzling to me that there aren’t yet any partnerships between these businesses and our municipalities to do that.

Curbside service often doesn’t make much environmental sense in the sprawling South. And neither do special trips to out-of-the-way recycling centers in gas-guzzling cars.

Better environmental stewardship is one issue on which we can all agree.

That’s why I see an opportunity for our community’s next generation of leaders to make their biggest mark by raising awareness and working for a change everyone can buy into.

It’s making a difference elsewhere in the world. It can here.