Green product certification: 21 symbols you should recognize
Matt Hickman
Fri, Oct 18 2013
There are dozens of symbols on packaging that are probably more meaningful to manufacturers than they are to consumers. Here’s your guide to the eco-labels found on everything from paper to light bulbs.
If you partake in the time-honored American pastime known as consumerism, which no doubt you do, you’ve probably noticed that in recent years the labeling of consumer products has gotten a little more complex than just a seal of approval from Good Housekeeping magazine. You’ve also probably been rendered just slightly overwhelmed when trying to decipher all of these new labels when shopping for groceries (don’t even get us started on coffee, which can get really complicated).
Currently, there are hundreds of green product certification labels in the U.S. alone that have been branded on everything from canned tuna to office furniture to bubble bath to, umm, surfboard wax. And as you’ve probably noticed, many of these eco labels are stamped with a veritable menagerie of critters: bunnies, fish, birds, frogs, and the list goes on.
Although uniformly green with the mission to protect our Earth and its resources as well as safeguard the health, safety and well-being of the humans and animals that call it home, these labels each represent a different niche goal whether it be practicing energy conservation, reducing waste, supporting sustainable forestry or lessening our reliance on agricultural chemicals.
So where to begin? Which critter do you choose?
Well, that all depends. To lend a helping hand, we’ve rounded up 21 common eco labels to keep an eye out for when shopping for an air conditioner, carpeting, mascara, a ream of printer paper or a frozen entrée. For each label, we’ve included a link to the certifying organization and a bit more detail on what exactly the label represents.
Certified Humane Raised and Handled (Humane Farm Animal Care)
Launched: 1998
What it’s found on: Meat, poultry, dairy, eggs and more
“Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is the leading non-profit certification organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals in food production from birth through slaughter. The goal of the program is to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumer demand for kinder and more responsible farm animal practices. When you see the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label on a product you can be assured that the food products have come from facilities that meet precise, objective standards for farm animal treatment.”
With consumers becoming more and more environmentally conscious, green product certification labels will likely continue to grow and evolve. Keep an eye out for these symbols and more the next time you go shopping.
Full Article: http://www.mnn.com/money/sustainable-business-practices/stories/green-product-certification-21-symbols-you-should#
Mother Nature Network
Posted: November 6, 2013 by Certified Humane
Green product certification: 21 symbols you should recognize
Matt Hickman
Fri, Oct 18 2013
There are dozens of symbols on packaging that are probably more meaningful to manufacturers than they are to consumers. Here’s your guide to the eco-labels found on everything from paper to light bulbs.
If you partake in the time-honored American pastime known as consumerism, which no doubt you do, you’ve probably noticed that in recent years the labeling of consumer products has gotten a little more complex than just a seal of approval from Good Housekeeping magazine. You’ve also probably been rendered just slightly overwhelmed when trying to decipher all of these new labels when shopping for groceries (don’t even get us started on coffee, which can get really complicated).
Currently, there are hundreds of green product certification labels in the U.S. alone that have been branded on everything from canned tuna to office furniture to bubble bath to, umm, surfboard wax. And as you’ve probably noticed, many of these eco labels are stamped with a veritable menagerie of critters: bunnies, fish, birds, frogs, and the list goes on.
Although uniformly green with the mission to protect our Earth and its resources as well as safeguard the health, safety and well-being of the humans and animals that call it home, these labels each represent a different niche goal whether it be practicing energy conservation, reducing waste, supporting sustainable forestry or lessening our reliance on agricultural chemicals.
So where to begin? Which critter do you choose?
Well, that all depends. To lend a helping hand, we’ve rounded up 21 common eco labels to keep an eye out for when shopping for an air conditioner, carpeting, mascara, a ream of printer paper or a frozen entrée. For each label, we’ve included a link to the certifying organization and a bit more detail on what exactly the label represents.
Certified Humane Raised and Handled (Humane Farm Animal Care)
Launched: 1998
What it’s found on: Meat, poultry, dairy, eggs and more
“Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is the leading non-profit certification organization dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals in food production from birth through slaughter. The goal of the program is to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumer demand for kinder and more responsible farm animal practices. When you see the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label on a product you can be assured that the food products have come from facilities that meet precise, objective standards for farm animal treatment.”
With consumers becoming more and more environmentally conscious, green product certification labels will likely continue to grow and evolve. Keep an eye out for these symbols and more the next time you go shopping.
Full Article: http://www.mnn.com/money/sustainable-business-practices/stories/green-product-certification-21-symbols-you-should#
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