Have you noticed all the new products now available with eco friendly labels? Choosing green products is a good way to begin making small environmentally friendly lifestyle changes. However, there are several things to keep in mind if you wish to support the eco movement. Here are some important points from www.energy2020today.com/green.
While it may feel good to purchase items with an eco friendly label, it is important to recognize the fact that many of the labels are unfounded. Since there is no standardization of eco friendly labels, many companies will attach this label to their products in order to appeal to environmentally aware individuals. The general consensus has been that the current eco friendly label is useless. Reform is currently underway to improve the labeling system.
When trying to determine if a product is eco friendly, consider these three questions.
1. Does the manufacturing of the product cause lasting harm to the environment?
2. Does the product cause harm to the environment when used?
3. Does disposing of the product harm the environment?
All three questions must be answered satisfactorily in order for the product to be truly eco friendly.
Of course, on an environmental scale, “harm to the environment” is relative. Resources are consumed whenever products, even green friendly products, are created. It is the type of damage and how long it lasts that is relevant. For example, products that use organic corn damage the corn. But corn can be quickly re-grown, so there is no lasting damage. As organic corns and cottons dramatically cut down the use of fertilizers and do not use harmful pesticides, these plants are considered environmentally friendly.
In some cases, companies will attempt to label their products as eco friendly when only one or two of the three above conditions are met. Earth Friendly Products is a company dedicated to helping average people minimize the level of environmental damage from their lifestyles. Earth Friendly Products focus on five different categories of household cleaners: bathroom care, laundry, general household, kitchen and care of pets. All their cleaning agents lack chlorine, petroleum, bleach and caustics, so they are friendly both to the environment and toward your health. However, there are items such as coconut oil in Earth Friendly Products. If you have allergies to coconuts or other natural oils, you should read the ingredient label carefully.
Other green products that can help support the environment include organic soaps and shampoos, non-toxic toothpastes, and recycled toilet papers and paper towels. A Google search for such items will yield an abundance of resources, including popular sites like Chartruse.
As the dead zones across the world grow (like the one in the Gulf of Mexico) more consumers are choosing environmentally friendly products. Green companies are enjoying good publicity and higher sales. By consistently purchasing environmentally friendly products, consumers can significantly influence the supply and demand.
