Levels of Green Products

Here’s a way to think about the “greenness” of products:

A really, really truly green product would have no negative environmental impact and be a “cradle to cradle” product, producing no waste (more on that later).  Few, if any, products meet this level of environmental sustainability, although it is the ideal that us eco designers seek and environmentalists dream about.

The next level is what most consider to be a good green product. The manufacturers make a concerted, holistic effort toward sustainability while recognizing that negative impacts do still exist, and doing what they can to mitigate those negative impacts.

Then there’s products with green attributes. The manufacturers of these products may not assess the entire life cycle of the product to minimize environmental impacts, but the products still have a green advantage due to their inherent qualities. 

Finally, greenwashed products are marketed as green using exaggerated, deceptive or inaccurate eco claims. Many of these products do have green attributes, but they may be accompanied with undisclosed negative attributes.

With the prevalence of greenwashing and the lack of green standards for many types of products, it’s definitely a case of buyer beware. However, with a bit of life cycle thinking, clues as to the red flags of greenwashing, and help from existing certification programs, it’s possible to navigate toward the best eco option for your project. 

Photo by OakleyOriginals.