Green is everywhere! Lately it seems like companies are jumping on the “green movement” so fast that it’s hard to tell what color they really are. Efficient light bulbs, eco-garbage bags, no VOC paints, the list is really endless. I’m a big proponent of thinking more about our planet as we go about our daily lives, but it’s important to make sure the changes you are making and the companies you choose to support are going green in a way that is real and meaningful.
Ace’s program called “Helpful Earth Choices” shows customers in the aisles which products are less harmful to our environment while still getting the job done. This program is fairly new and is evolving each and every day. The real trick is identifying what products really are eco-friendly. For example, many cleaning products make the green claim, but they don’t ever justify why they are making that claim. And remember -- just because the label reads “natural ingredients,” does not mean it’s sustainable.
Not only should you look at what’s in a product, but you should also do some research into the company itself. For example, look at a company’s carbon footprint and their commitment to recycling and using reclaimed materials – it really does matter when it comes to their overall commitment to sustainability. I’m also a big proponent of the “buy local” mantra. When you factor in environmental costs associated with transporting goods, products that are made closer to home are more eco-friendly.
So as you stroll the isle of a store looking for products that are better for all of us, look for ones that have a third-party designation from organizations such as “Green Guard,” EPA’s “Design for the Environment” or the “GREEN WISE” certification specifically for paint. These groups evaluate the impact that a product has on our environment against similar products and also certifies their results. One thing to keep in mind is that right now the list of certified products is pretty short, but more products are being tested all the time. As regulations start to roll out to help us determine what is actually green, we can make a more informed decision and reward the products that work well and keep Mother Nature in mind.
