Know your Greens

How do you know if a green product is not just a gimmick? The countless manufacturers out there are quick to make green claims, but may not be able to back these up with truly eco policies.  As a consumer the best way to battle greenwashing is to know your priorities, investigate and question. 

Priorities: What are your eco preferences e.g. locally sourced materials, locally manufactured products, a manufacturer with a sustainable production policy, carbon neutral footprint, sustainable materials, non toxic materials, recycled content, 100% natural, recyclable after use, energy efficiency during use, certified organic, Fairtrade etc.  There will always be a choice between the lesser of two evils with eco products.  It′s good to know what eco categories are important to you.

Investigate: Spend time searching for products, look at different manufacturers and research their environmental policies & initiatives.  Make a list of products and their  eco credentials – this will make it easy to evaluate the best one for you.

Question: Simply keep questioning the manufacturers for information, tell them what you want as a consumer and ask them to validate their eco claims.

Happy green shopping!

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