We also find third-party certifications extremely helpful (we love when these organizations do some of our homework for us!). While you’re out shopping, look for the following logos:
Photo by thingermejig/Courtesy flickr
1. EcoLogo: This organization considers multiple environmental issues throughout a product’s lifecycle. Its website includes more than 120 environmental standards and almost 7,000 certified products.
2. Energy Star: Products with this logo meet energy-efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy.
3. Green-e: This organization certifies sources of renewable electricity and renewable energy credits from clean energy sources such as wind, solar or small-scale hydro-electric. It also certifies that products were manufactured in facilities using renewable energy.
4. Forest Stewardship Council: The best source for verifying that wood came from responsibly managed forests.
5. Greenguard: Verifies that products have low-VOC emissions.
6. Green Seal: Products maintain environmental standards.
7. Cradle to Cradle: Products with this logo meet high standards for “environmentally intelligent” design, and the program examines the entire lifecycle of product.
8. Fair Trade: Guarantees consumers that strict economic, social and environmental criteria were met in the production and trade of an agricultural product.