If you strive to be environmentally conscious, picking out eco-friendly products is a vital decision; the problem is that it's not always easy to identify if a product is truly eco-friendly just by looking at it.
Going “green” is in right now, and there are many companies that are willing to go to great lengths to look green, but in reality, they're really just trying to make a profit.
If you genuinely want to ensure that the things you're buying are making as little environmental impact as possible, then here are three simple techniques you can utilize.
Focus on The Specific Claims
Pay attention to the claims the company makes about their product and how specific they are, whether that be on their website, in their advertisements, or on the packaging of the product itself.
It's easy to claim a product is "green," but broad statements don't really mean anything; on the other hand, if a product is being advertised as being made from 100% recycled material, that's easier to trust.
Check out their PR
Third-party opinions are often trustworthy, but it's important to look into what the company itself is saying. Look at the business's website, focus on their About Us, check out their social media platforms, and you can also see if the company has won any awards for its sustainability efforts.
They might even offer published sustainability reports which is a great way to find facts and statistics.
Research externally
Utilize Google. Pay attention to what the other people are saying about what the company is doing to help the environment. Check out other sites like ethical consumer, which is a website that rates companies on their eco-friendliness.
Another useful site is Aspiration Impact Measurement which can provide you with a score based on things like energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other useful stats.
Remember, being socially and environmentally responsible isn't about ensuring every decision you make is clean. No company is perfect, but you can make eco-friendly choices on a day-to-day basis, and at the end of the day, that adds up.
