Guide to knowing when a product is truly ecological.
Can we trust the legends or advertisements on some of the products we buy? What does it mean for a product to be eco-friendly? What are the differences between recyclable and recycled? What does “non-toxic” really mean? Why does no product appear with the GMO label, if so much is said about it? The reality is that as consumers we are not well informed about these legends and furthermore, in countries like Ecuador the way of labeling these products is poorly regulated and in other cases (such as that of GMOs - Genetically Modified Organisms -) although there is legislation on the matter, they are generally disrespected by suppliers.
Although fortunately, the trend is that there will soon be regulations around the world for this, the truth is that in the meantime, consumers need to be informed.
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Federal Trade Commission) is an agency that has jurisdiction in the area of consumer protection and competition in sectors of the economy.
In its green guide launched months ago, it provides guidelines on the environmental attributes of products, so that these are truthful and do not induce deception or greenwashing.
As in general in Latin America, we do not have these detailed guidelines. The following general review applies taking the guidelines of said Commission:
General Terms: Terms like "green" either "ecological" They are considered too broad, ambiguous and difficult to corroborate. Their use should be avoided.
Certificates / seals of approval: If a certificate is held, its origin must be indicated, whether it is an institution or an industry group. All legends that come with the certification must also be included. This applies especially to bulk and fresh products called "organic" and "agroecological".
Biodegradable: A product can only be said to be biodegradable if it can completely decompose within one year.
CompostableA product can be classified as compostable if it breaks down in about the same amount of time as the materials it is made from become compost, and no toxins can be released in the process.
Recyclable: This legend can only be used on labels if all The product or packaging is recyclable and the facilities for this process are available to the vast majority (for example, 60 percent) of residents in the communities where the product is sold. Otherwise, observations should be made accordingly. It makes no sense to say that a package is recyclable if the machinery that makes it only exists on another continent.
Recycling: It can only be used if the 100% of the product or its packaging is recycled. Otherwise, the percentage that is recycled must be specified.
Renewable energy: Unless the entire product is made with 100 percent renewable energy, the percentage must be provided.
Carbon offsetsScientific evidence is required to support carbon offsetting, and you cannot advertise whether carbon offsets are required by law for your business.
Renewable Materials: Some consumers may confuse the term “renewable materials” with concepts like recycled, recyclable, and/or biodegradable, so you should provide specific information about what the renewable materials are and where they are sourced. An acceptable example might be: “Made from 100% renewable, fast-growing bamboo in China.”
Free from: While some “free from” claims may be true, they could be considered misleading if other substances in the product pose the same environmental risks. It will also be considered misleading if a product is said to be “free from” a substance that has never been associated with that product’s category.
Non-toxicThe FTC believes that the “nontoxic” claim implies that an element is not toxic to humans and the environment, so “competent and reliable scientific evidence” is required.
Refillable or rechargeable: Means for refilling the container must be provided. This means that you will either have to sell a product that is refillable from its original packaging or sell a system to refill it.
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