When consumers are looking for a way to contribute positively to the environment, buying eco-friendly products is a great choice. Eco-friendly products use fewer resources and have sustainable components, meaning that they have less of an impact on the environment than their non-eco-friendly competitors.
Different ways of making a product eco-friendly include changing its formulation to make it safer for the environment, changing the manufacturing process to produce less waste, encouraging the use of less energy in manufacturing, and altering the components that go into the finished product.
Technological products should also be used with care, considering the potential for ecological damage. US Standard Products, an environmentally conscious company, describes how eco-friendly products are helping the environment.
Safer Formulations
Companies that make household chemicals for cleaning and personal care need to take care that their products do not damage the natural environment. Harsh bleaches can leach into the groundwater and can impact human health. The residue from chemical disinfectants can impact the natural world. Antibacterial soaps can build germs’ resistance, causing antibiotic-resistant infections to spread in the community.
Another important factor that companies need to consider is the presence of microplastics in their products. Microplastics are ubiquitous in our environment, and no one knows what the long-term health risks may be. Microplastics like exfoliating beads infiltrate our water sources and could possibly damage the health of marine life.
The Green Seal is an important way for consumers to know whether they are buying a product with a safer formulation. When businesses take the time to make sure their products are not damaging the environment, they should be rewarded with greater sales and distribution opportunities.
Less Waste
Eco-friendly companies pride themselves on reducing the amount of waste that goes into their products and services. For example, construction companies, once one of the largest culprits behind industrial waste, are moving toward a zero-waste goal. Manufacturing firms are also taking more time to recycle their waste products and reduce the amount of contamination that spreads to the environment.
Companies that focus on reducing, reusing and recycling waste are contributing positively to the world around them. This is the key to true environmental friendliness. Reducing waste is the key to keeping a company environmentally friendly. While reusing and recycling materials are worthwhile, it is best to avoid using the materials in the first place.
Renewable Energy Sources
Companies that use renewable energy and have their businesses eco-certified using such standards as LEED are contributing less pollution to the earth. Fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal create dangerous atmospheric chemicals when they are burned, and they contribute to global warming through the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Using renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and water power mean that companies have less of an impact on the environment. People who want to buy eco-friendly products will often check to see whether the manufacturers follow ecologically sound methods of obtaining power for their businesses.
Using Eco-Friendly Components
Manufacturers of eco-friendly products are more likely to use green materials like wood, glass, and plastics that are specially formulated to omit potentially dangerous chemicals. Wood is a renewable resource. It should be used with care, however. Some wood harvesting operations are detrimental to the environment. Certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council can help consumers know which wood and paper products are best for the environment.
Glass is another excellent choice for eco-friendly manufacturers. The downside to glass is that it is a heavier material than plastic and moving and distributing glass produces a larger carbon footprint. The advantage of glass is that it is easily reusable by the end user. It is also a highly recyclable material which does not pose any health risks to the consumer. Glass products can be breakable, but they are stronger than they have been in years past.
Electronics and Mechanical Safety
People who use high-tech devices like cell phones, televisions, and laptops should be aware of how these products can negatively impact the environment. There is a great deal of pollution that results from the manufacturing of these products, and components that are not properly recycled can make a dangerous impact.
Similarly, to the certifications for energy efficient production and sustainable wood harvesting, electronics manufacturers and recyclers have a set of standards that can be checked. These certifications include R2-RIOS, e-Stewards, and various ISO standards. Organizations in compliance with these standards will proudly display this information, so consumers should keep an eye out for companies who operate responsibly.
Eco-Friendliness for Everyone
US Standard Products believes that every consumer should carefully consider the environmental risks of all the products they buy and use. Keeping the environment in mind means that consumers can feel good about their impact on the natural world and about the safety of their families.