As people all around the world become more environmentally conscious, many companies are doubling down on their commitment to taking care of this planet by making their business operations as eco-friendly as possible. However, not all sustainability efforts are created equal, and some companies may not be as environmentally responsible as you think.
If you're dedicated to living an eco-friendly lifestyle, then chances are you are also determined to support companies who are truly putting the planet first. And if that's the case, then it's important that you know what to look for in order to tell if a company is truly eco-friendly. That way, you will be fully informed before you make a purchase.
How to Identify an Eco-Friendly Company
Here are a few quick things you can look for to help you determine if a company is truly dedicated to protecting the environment.
1) Check the Materials They Use
The first step to identifying if a product is eco-friendly is seeing what kind of materials are used to create it. While things like 100% sustainable fabric may be a myth, materials like fabric have different degrees of impact on the environment, and you can use this as a guide when you are choosing a product to buy. Let’s stick with fabric as an example. Polyester, acrylic, and nylon are some of the least sustainable types of fabric. Polyesters in particular are non-biodegradable and can take up to 200 years to break down in a landfill. On the other hand, some of the most sustainable fabrics include hemp, organic or recycled cotton, as well as organic linen.
Of course, the types of materials used will vary depending on the type of products they are creating. Another great example of gauging the sustainability of a product based on materials can be found in the food and supplement industry. Products that use synthetic or artificially created ingredients tend to be less sustainable than ones that are made with ingredients that are naturally sourced, free of GMOs, and organically grown.
2) Use of Solar Power or Clean Energy
Since energy use is a large contributor to a company's carbon footprint, knowing what type of energy the company uses to keep its operations up and running can be a great indicator of its priorities. Companies that are truly dedicated to eco-friendly practices will be making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by switching to natural sources of energy wherever possible. This can include things like solar panels, wind power, biogas, or even involvement in a local renewable energy program run by their local power provider. By taking these types of steps, companies are showing that they’re working to reduce their consumption of fossil fuels and reduce the amount of pollution they are producing.
3) Transparency
A company that is transparent in how things work within its walls is much more likely to be following through with the sustainable practices they claim to be following. Before you make a purchase, spend some time doing a little research to see if the company shares its mission, vision, and values on its website, regularly shares updates about its business practices, talks about how they source materials, and thoroughly responds to questions asked in public forums like social media. This will give you a good idea of how likely it is that the company that claims to be dedicated to environmental protection is actually following through with it.
4) Company Values and Policies
Speaking of a company’s mission, vision, and values, these types of statements can also be enlightening. If you can find them on their website, spend a little time looking these details over. If a company is truly committed to being sustainable, chances are they will have included mention of it somewhere in these statements.
5) Certifications
Company and product certifications are another way to determine whether or not a company is eco-friendly. There are many certifications that a company may have that could back up its claims about sustainability. For example, a company can be a Certified B Corp, which means that they are a company that has proven they value both profits and purpose. Oftentimes, this is a good indicator that a company is fully dedicated to environmental sustainability; however, keep in mind that this certification isn’t only for sustainability efforts. It is also available to companies who are dedicated to other causes, so it’s still important to do your research to ensure that the B Corp you are looking at is following eco-friendly practices.
Additionally, certain product certifications can also indicate that the company is producing an eco-friendly product. For example, we know that the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers can damage the soil and pollute our waterways. Since products that are Certified Organic are guaranteed to not have used any of these harmful methods in their growing and harvesting process, they are inherently more eco-friendly.
6) Packaging
Of course, packaging is always important. Before buying a product, check to make sure the packaging it comes in is recyclable or made with recycled materials. If you’re ordering online, also see if you can find information about the packaging materials they use for shipping products. Taking steps like using the smallest size boxes possible, using compostable packing material, and opting for corrugated cardboard boxes are all choices that help a company lower its carbon footprint.