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Seek certification. "Everyone wants to have 'eco-friendly' applied to their name, but a label is only going to be meaningful if it has specific, transparent criteria," says Howard, of TheDailyGreen.com.
Look for certification seals from a reputable, independent third-party organization -- say, USDA Organic for pesticide-free veggies or FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council) for sustainable paper products. (See the list below for more examples.) These logos guarantee that the product bearing such seals meets set standards, with ongoing reviews to ensure compliance. Be wary of "certification" provided by the company itself, or by its affiliates, Howard warns.
Even legit seals confirm only that the product has met minimum criteria, points out Gregg Steiner, the president of GreenLifeGuru.com, an eco-consultant. You'll still need to shop around to make sure you're getting the best product for your money. Some Energy Star-certified clothes washers, for example, are more than twice as energy-efficient as others. A certified USDA organic cleaner, on the other hand, may have a shorter shelf life than other eco-products because it is made from all food-grade ingredients with no added chemicals.
Seals worth seeking out
Here are a few of the reputable big names and what you're getting with a seal-bearing product:Where you'll spot it: on thousands of devices, from refrigerators and ceiling fans to windows, TVs and holiday lights.
Who backs it: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
What you're guaranteed: The device bearing the Energy Star seal has met energy-efficiency standards for its product category. Room air conditioners, for example, must be at least 10% more efficient than their conventional counterparts and include energy-saving features like timers or low-energy settings. Energy Star devices must also bear a tag that explains just how efficient the unit is -- and what kind of annual savings that translates into for buyers.
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Where you'll spot it: on agricultural products including coffee, tea, sugar, rice and flowers.
Who backs it: TransFair USA, an independent nonprofit serving as the U.S. representative of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, a global network of fair-trade groups.
What you're guaranteed: Products with this label were produced and traded in a way that meets economic, social and environmental criteria. That includes living wages for workers, direct trade with farmers to secure a fair price, and farm practices that protect the local ecosystem.
Where you'll spot it: on wood and paper products.
Who backs it: The Forest Stewardship Council, an independent international organization dedicated to forest management.
What you're guaranteed: Trees used in the manufacturing of these products were grown and harvested in a way that does not unnecessarily deplete forest resources, affect the surrounding forest's ecological processes or deplete the local economy.
Where you'll spot it: on thousands of products and services, including paint, paper, cleaning services and hotels.
Who backs it: Green Seal, an independent nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that tests and evaluates green products.
What you're guaranteed: Green Seal performs scientific testing on the product (often with the aid of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and other academic research institutions) that ensures it to be at least as efficient as comparable items -- if not more so -- while maintaining a low environmental impact from design to production to disposal. Household cleaners, for example, must not be toxic to aquatic life and must have a recyclable package, among other criteria.
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Where you'll spot it: on agricultural products including fruits, vegetables and meats, as well as some packaged goods and nonfood items (like cleaning products and cosmetics) that are made with all food-grade materials.
Who backs it: U.S. Department of Agriculture
What you're guaranteed: The item was grown and processed in a way that did not use pesticides or added chemicals. Meat and poultry must meet the additional requirement of being antibiotic free. Processed foods may bear the seal only if at least 95% of the content is organic.
This article was reported and written by Kelli B. Grant for SmartMoney.
Published April 18, 2008
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