Category Archives: eco-labels

Benefits to Eco-labeling for Green Products

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Ecolabels set minimum environmental and health standards for specific product categories. Eco-labeling relates to environmental protection factors, such noise, water, and energy used in production, use, and disposal. Eco-labels allow businesses to label their products and services as being environmentally sound and help businesses to:

  • Demonstrate their products meet pre-determined green performance criteria and standards
  • Differentiate their products or services from competitors’ products and services
  • Inform green consumers and aid in their decision-making on green products
  • Aid in purchasing decisions for businesses that want green products and services

In the Spring 2010 community essay “Toward greater ecological intelligence in the United States: ten statements with statistics and commentary regarding ecolabels,” author Christopher Wedding suggests the importance and benefit of eco-labels. Specifically:

  • 83% of Americans reported that sustainability commitments were “very important” or “somewhat important” in their buying decisions
  • Experts believe 70% of American consumers could be motivated to purchase green products if labels were clear and product prices were competitive
  • 76% of the largest firms in the U.S. reported sustainability efforts and commitments that exceed what is required by law
  • By 2030, 50% of buildings in the U.S. will have been built after the year 2000
  • 98% of 2,219 products reviewed were guilty of greenwashing (deceptive green marketing)

Wedding’s conjecture is that eco-labels…

…can harness some of the most powerful forces in the United States — consumer, business, and institutional spending — to serve as a force for good rather than continuing to facilitate overconsumption and waste.

For specific information about U.S. domestic eco-labels that may apply to your small business, the Small Business Administration offers this list.

For more information about all things ecological, sustainable, and green for your business, read our blog or contact us.

Better Paper Project by Green America: Helping the Magazine Industry to be More Sustainable

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The Better Paper Project was launched in April 2012 by Green America. This paper project empowers the magazine industry, including publishers, retailers and printers, to go green by using sustainable paper both recycled content and FSC certified. Green America will provide consulting and advice to its members to make the paper switch.

Once they have completed the program, they can use the logo of the Better Paper Project on the magazine itself or promotional materials.

Eco Label Resource: 2010 Global Ecolabel Monitor

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Eco-labels were designed to help the consumers choose more environmental and social conscious products. Today there are literally hundreds of eco-labels. Although the intent is good with eco-labels with so many on the market with various meanings, it has essentially confused the consumers.

A free downloadable report by the  World Resources Institute and ecolabelling.org called the 2010 Global Ecolabel Monitor essentially is a comprehensive survey on the performance and organizational structure of all eco-labels found throughout the world. They surveyed over 340 labels from 42 different countries.

Ecolabel Index is another terrific site that is a database of all ecolabels which provides meaning and context. Another site is Global Ecolabelling Network that has good information and reports on eco-labels.