Do you ever get confused by all the different eco labels out there? Certified Organic, Verified Organic, All Natural, Environmental Choice, Forest Stewardship Council Certified, Fair Trade Certified... the list goes on and on. Well, we've come across a few resources to help demystify and clarify what all these labels really mean, and how they can help you shop for your home...
A few of our favorite resources are:
Consumer Reports' Greener Choices Eco-Labels Center: this has a really handy search tool where you can search by product, category, or label name and it will bring up an in-depth evaluation of the label that answers questions such as, "How meaningful is the label?" "Is the label verified?" "Is the meaning of the label consistent?" "Are the label standards publicly available?"
Green Living's Understanding Eco-Logos: a helpful slideshow that takes you through some of the more common eco-labels, such as the FSC label (Forest Stewardship Council) and the EcoLogo Certified label. Identifies who’s behind it, where the label is found, and what it seeks to ensure.
Inhabitat's Is It Green? Eco-Labels and Certifications: Addresses government labels, like Energy Star and USDA Organic.
EcoLabelling.Org (currently in beta): pretty much exactly what it says. Helps you browse for and learn more about eco labels. Search by region or type. Provides background info, certification info, and standard criteria, and contact information, if available.
Top Image via TreeHugger
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