eco-labels
Sustainability certification marks
Eco-labels are certifications or symbols on products indicating they meet certain environmental standards.
They signal organic ingredients, sustainable sourcing, energy efficiency, or reduced environmental impact: Look for eco-labels when shopping for cleaning products.
Common examples include Energy Star, USDA Organic, and Fair Trade.
The proliferation of eco-labels has led to confusion about which certifications are meaningful and which are marketing ploys.
Capable of being remade
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
- compostableAble to decompose naturally
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
- renewableCapable of restoration
sustainable · green · low-impact · zero-waste · plastic-free · reusable · circular · lifecycle
False sustainability claims
- claimsStatements of truth
- packagingProtective product enclosure
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- consumerOne who acquires goods
transparency · misleading · trust · credibility · authenticity · deceptive · verification · skepticism
From living matter
- USDAFederal agriculture bureau
- verifiedConfirmed as accurate
- certifiedOfficially declared valid
- non-GMOWithout genetic modification
third-party · audited · accredited · standards · compliance · inspection · seal · stamp
recyclable
Capable of being remade
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
- compostableAble to decompose naturally
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
renewable · sustainable · green · low-impact · zero-waste · plastic-free · reusable · circular · lifecycle · footprint
greenwashing
False sustainability claims
consumer · transparency · misleading · trust · credibility · authenticity · deceptive · verification · skepticism · accountability
organic
From living matter
non-GMO · third-party · audited · accredited · standards · compliance · inspection · seal · stamp · logo
food
Consumable nourishment source
- textilesWoven or knit materials
- appliancesPowered household equipment
- electronicsStudy of circuits
cosmetics · seafood · timber · coffee · chocolate · palm-oil · cotton · paper · clothing · household
- sustainabilityreduce, reuse, recycle, sustainable yield, recycling programs
- Ecodesignbiodegradable, biomimicry, circular economy, cradle-to-cradle, life cycle
- ethical shoppingfair trade coffee, ethical sourcing, sustainable sourcing, ethical shopping, buy local
- forest conservationsustainable forestry, forest stewardship, forest management, reforestation, forest reserves
- Sustainable Seafooddolphin-safe, reef-safe, traceability, bycatch, overfishing
- ethical coffeedirect trade, farmer cooperatives, fair wages, ethical sourcing, transparency
eco-labelsgreenwashing
False sustainability claims
deceptive marketing · misleading labels · astroturfing · virtue signaling · corporate spin
eco-labelswarning labels
Notices of potential danger
safety certifications · price tags · expiration dates · barcodes · best-by dates
label, labeling, ecology, ecological, ecosystem, eco, relabel