While this isn’t the entire list of “green” claims used by companies, we’ve listed a few common words and phrases for quick reference so you can have a better understanding:
Seals or certifications can be useful if they’re backed by solid standards and provide enough information to consumers so they can understand what they mean. The product package should also provide enough information to make a connection between the manufacturing company and the organization that endorses the seal or certification.
If a product labeled as biodegradable or degradable goes to a landfill, the company should clarify this claim by explaining how long the item will take to degrade, and how much it will break down over time.
Something that’s biodegradable, like food or leaves for example, breaks down and decomposes into elements found in nature when it’s exposed to these elements (light, air, moisture, or certain bacteria). However, most trash winds up in landfills, which are designed to shut out the elements and keep pollutants out of the air and drinking water; but this also slows decomposition.
Overlapping with biodegradable claims, some products break down into useable compost material, which enriches and returns nutrients to the earth. Many people commonly use yard trimmings, fallen leaves, and food scraps for compost.
When a product or package is labeled "compostable," it means the manufacturer should be able to prove that the material can be composted safely at home. It’s worth noting that while compostable materials are biodegradable, not all biodegradable products are compostable, because they do not benefit the soil like compost.
One of the most common claims is to say a product is recyclable–often by using the universal recycling symbol on it– if most people who buy the product can recycle it. But that label doesn’t mean you’ll be able to recycle it in your area. Ask your city or county government about local recycling options and what the facilities will accept.
- Made with recycled content
Recycled content is material that was kept out of the waste stream, either during the manufacturing process or after people used it. If a product says it’s made with recycled content, look for specifics. For example, are the claims about the product, the package, or both? How much of the product or package is made with recycled content? If the product or package isn’t made completely from recycled materials, the label should tell you how much is.
