FoodServiceWarehouse.com is pleased to offer a variety of greener products that have been independently certified by the EcoLogo program.
About EcoLogo®
EcoLogo was launched in 1988 by the Canadian federal government and is the oldest environmental standard and certification program in North America. It has identified green products in 120 categories and certified over 7500 products. Ecologo gives customers the confidence to buy green products since the items bearing the logo have met a series of very stringent environmental standards that have been audited by a third party.
The Global Ecolabelling Network
EcoLogo, along with
Green Seal, helped to found the Global EcoLabelling network, which consists of organizations that offer certifications for environmentally responsible products and services. The network helps establish international standards for eco-labeling and follows the guidelines and principles developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). EcoLogo is one of a handful of programs that has been approved by the network as meeting ISO requirements for environmental labeling.
Qualifying Products
Any product can apply for an EcoLogo certification. If a company wants to certify a product and EcoLogo has not developed a standard for that product type, the organization can draft a new criteria document. Currently, the organization certifies the following products that are used in the food service industry:
- Janitorial products
- Towels
- Paper products
- Heating and cooling systems
- Faucets and aerators
- Flooring and floor products
- Lighting
- Food and beverage containers
The Criteria
In general, EcoLogo seeks to certify products with a minimal environmental impact within the top 20% of their class. EcoLogo’s certification criteria are developed and posted in an open and public environment for all stakeholders and interested parties to see. The EcoLogo standards take into account the entire life cycle of the product, from material extraction to disposal. The criteria development process for a product category involves the following steps:
- Scientific investigation of relevant environmental and market details
- Setting criteria that qualifies a product as environmentally preferable to approximately 80% or more of other products in its category
- Consultation of stakeholders from a wide variety of perspectives, including consumers, government and industry members, academics and environmental groups
- Posting of drafted criteria on EcoLogo website for public commentary
- Ongoing regular updates and revisions to criteria to ensure representation of current environmental leadership
Together, EcoLogo and the marketing firm TerraChoice conducted a study to determine the prevalence of “greenwashing.” They found that 99% of “green” claims among 1,000 randomly selected products or services were misleading or outright false. To combat this misleading advertising, EcoLogo and TerraChoice developed the following “Six Sins of Greenwashing” to raise consumer awareness of the common misuses of the term “green”:
- There is a hidden trade-off. Products are labeled green based solely on one environmentally friendly attribute, while other aspects of the product harm the environment.
Example:
A dishwasher that touts its water efficiency without mentioning the fact that it uses much more energy than other dishwashers.
- There is no proof. A product has no evidential support or third-party certifications to verify its claims.
Example:
A cleaning product that calls itself “green” but is not certified and lists neither ingredients nor manufacturing processes.
- The wording is too vague. The phrasing is either too vague or too broad to carry any valid meaning.
Example:
A product that claims it is “chemical free” or “all natural,” when in fact everything is made up of “chemicals,” and elements like mercury and arsenic are found in nature but are poisonous.
- The product claims are irrelevant. The environmental claims may be true but are unimportant and can distract consumers from real green choices.
Example:
Aerosol cans that are advertised as a “CFC free” green alternative, when in fact chlorofluorocarbons have been outlawed for 30 years.
- They are advertising the lesser of two evils. A product is advertised as being green when in fact the entire product category has a negative impact on human health or the environment.
Example:
A Styrofoam cup produced in a manufacturing plant that runs off of wind power.
- They are lying. The product’s claims are simply false.
Example:
A conveyor oven that claims to meet standard ENERGY STAR® qualifications when there is no ENERGY STAR category for conveyor ovens.