US Green Building Council Central California

What are Green Labels?

Green Labels act as beacons of transparency, guiding consumers towards environmentally conscious choices. They serve as shorthand for complex sustainability information, providing quick insights into a product's eco-credentials. In a crowded marketplace, green labels empower consumers to align their purchases with personal values, fostering a sense of responsibility in consumption. Ultimately, these labels contribute to a collective effort to build a more sustainable and ethical global marketplace and help prevent greenwashing.

Types of Green Labels

Each type of label has specific criteria and standards, allowing consumers to align their preferences with the values promoted by the product. Understanding these distinctions enhances our ability to make informed choices.

Type I: 3rd party verification: 3rd party verified labels have checks and balances through 3rd party involvement and follow rigorous standards and protocols with focus on transparency.

Type II: Self-certification: Type II certifications are typically self-certified by producers or manufacturers and often look at more narrow environmental benefits

Goals of different ecolabels:

Eco-Friendly Labels

Signifies a commitment to minimizing environmental impact. Look for specifics on what makes the product eco-friendly, such as energy efficiency or reduced waste.

Organic Certification

Indicates that products meet strict organic farming standards. Consumers can trust that the product is free from synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms.

Sustainable Certification

Encompasses a holistic approach, considering environmental, social, and economic factors. Products with this label aim for long-term ecological balance.

GREENWASHING AND IT'S EFFECTS

Greenwashing is the deceptive practice of presenting a misleading or exaggerated environmental claim to appear more sustainable or eco-friendly than a company's actual practices.

It involves the art of camouflage, where companies create a façade of environmental responsibility through marketing tactics, obscuring the genuine impact of their products or services.

The term Greenwashing underscores the importance of critical consumer awareness in discerning between authentic environmental commitment and mere marketing strategies.

Commonly used green labels

Energy Start promotes energy-efficient products and practices to help consumers and businesses save energy, reduce costs, and lower their environmental impact.

USDA Organic regulates organic farming practices, ensuring that organic food products are produced without synthetic pesticides or GMOs and promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture.

Cradle to Cradle - William McDonough Cradle to Cradle Certified® is the leading multi-attribute standard used globally across industries by designers, brands and manufacturers for designing and making products that enable a healthy, equitable and sustainable future.

Find more info about green labels

What to Look Out For

Example 1: "Natural" Claims

Watch out for products labeled as "natural." This term lacks a standardized definition and can be used misleadingly. Genuine sustainability often goes beyond merely being "natural."

Example 2: Green Packaging without Substance

Companies may boast eco-friendly packaging without addressing the overall environmental impact of their products. True sustainability considers the entire lifecycle, not just the wrapping.

Example 3: Empty Eco-Buzzwords

Be wary of vague terms like "green," "eco-friendly," or "sustainable" without concrete evidence. Legitimate green practices involve specific actions and verifiable claims.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Ask Questions: Ask for green labels and sustainable products while shopping. Ask your school, government and place of work if greenlabels are utilized to make better purchasing decisions and what they are doing to advance sustainability.
Look for Green Labels: Look for products verified by authentic green labels when shopping. Find an overview of all green labels on EcoLabelIndex.
Recognize Greenwashing: Question environmental claims and learn to distinguish between genuine green efforts and deceptive practices.

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