Eco Labels

Is it valid to believe the eco labels which claim to be organic, natural or environmentally friendly? Manufacturers like to use buzzwords on their packaging to sell their products to the ever growing society of green consumers, especially the eco elite.

It is of course trendy to be environmentally conscious, to be an eco warrior and to go green. And so, it is easier for the manufacturers to try and mislead you with fancy claims on their labels. The market for green materials and eco products is growing fast making it difficult for consumers as more products and bigger claims are flooding the market.

When looking at a range of products, would you choose the ‘green’ one? The label says ‘eco’, but what do the manufacturers mean by this - is it truly environmentally friendly?

It is possible that something labelled ‘natural’ could contain synthetic materials and be made by chemical processes. It is also possible that an ‘eco’ product is made from natural renewable materials, yet the manufacturer does not have an environmental policy for waste and transportation.

Honestly it is a mine field out there, it is best to question all aspects of a product if you want to make a full evaluation. This could simply be checking the ingredients on a product label or speaking to the manufacturer directly to question their environmental policies.

Can you buy this material or product in full faith that it meets your expected eco standards?

Most likely you are looking for the best product with the best all round combination of green standards. There are reputable manufacturers out there. One way to find them is to check whether they are associated with an organisation or accreditation, usually displayed on the label.

To help you on your product and material quest I have given some suggestions of global organisations, accreditations and labels; who they are, the standards they aim for and a link to their webpage. Be careful with ‘green’ products that are not certified, as they may well be eco fakes!

Go back to the eco recommendations main page to view my other articles.

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