Green buying: how to make true eco-friendly purchases

Are you confused by claims that products are “natural”, “biodegradable”, “organic” “recyclable” and “eco-friendly"? Read on to find out more about certified green products in Canada and how to determine if they really are greener than the rest.

Look for environmental labels you can trust.

What is Ecolabelling?

“Eco-labelling” is a labelling system for food and consumer products that makes it easier to take environmental concerns into account when shopping. The roots of ecolabelling can be found in the growing global concern for environmental protection on the part of the public, businesses and governments.  A certified “eco-label” identifies a product that meets specified environmental performance criteria or standards.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), one of the world's largest developers and publishers of international standards, has developed a series of standards and guidelines for use in various programs, including eco-labelling. Type I environmental labelling, or the ISO 14024 standard, relates to a wide range of environmental issues associated with a product or service. The certification criteria are developed by a third-party and are based on life cycle considerations (i.e. assessment of product from raw material extraction to end of life). Type I certification is limited to environmental leaders in a given product or service category.

Green Certification in Canada

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EcoLogo is a widely recognized and respected environmental certification program, both in North America and internationally.  EcoLogo is one of only two Type I eco-labelling certification programs in North America, as defined under ISO 14024.  EcoLogo certification is reserved for products that represent environmental leadership.

The EcoLogo Program was established in 1988 by Environment Canada to help Canadians make informed purchases of genuinely environmentally-preferable products and services.  Today, this environmental certification program is managed by TerraChoice.

Products and services are voluntarily submitted to the Program and third-party verified to see if they meet the applicable EcoLogo standard. Certification is awarded to products and services that comply with a set of criteria specific to that product or service category that address the environmental impacts throughout their life cycle. 

What kind of products are EcoLogo certified?

EcoLogo certifies a variety of products and services, such as household and industrial cleaning products, laundry detergent, paper, tissues and napkins, paints, fuels, office furniture, printers, flooring and other renovation and building supplies.

Where can you buy EcoLogo products?

EcoLogo environmentally-preferable products are sold by various retailers across Canada.  There are currently over 75 categories under the EcoLogo Program and over 10,000 certified EcoLogo products and services.   You can find the list of participating companies for each product category on the EcoLogo website.  Look for EcoLogo certified products at your local grocery store, pharmacy, office supply store and many other locations.

EcoLogo – a certification mark that recognizes products and services that meet stringent environmental standards.

EnerGuide and ENERGY STAR

The EnerGuide initiative of Natural Resources Canada helps consumers purchase the most energy-efficient equipment. The EnerGuide label gives an estimate of the annual energy consumption of an appliance and ranks it according to other appliances of the same size and type.

Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency promotes the ENERGY STAR symbol. It is an international symbol that highlights the products that are among the most energy efficient on the market.

What kinds of products are covered by EnerGuide and ENERGY STAR?

The EnerGuide label is mandatory for all major electrical household appliances and room air conditioners sold in Canada. EnerGuide rates the energy consumption of major household electrical appliances and heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment. The ENERGY STAR symbol covers home appliances, HVAC equipment, lighting, electronics, office equipment, windows and doors.

Where can you buy EnerGuide and ENERGY STAR products?

EnerGuide and ENERGY STAR products can be found in a variety of department stores and home renovation stores.

Canada Organic

The Canada Organic logo will be used in conjunction with the Organic Products Regulations for agricultural products that contain at least 95% organic ingredients. Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be responsible to enforce this federal certification, which comes into full force June 30, 2009.

What kinds of products are certified organic?

A number of agricultural products can be certified organic, such as fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and beef.

Where can you buy Canada Organic products?

Check your local grocery store for products with the Canada Organic label.

Forest Certification

Federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments in Canada support forest certification as a tool for improving performance and demonstrating the country's sustainable forest management record. Such systems are designed to provide consumers with independent, third-party assurance of sustainable forest management, ethical behaviour and adherence to laws at all points along the product value chain. The certification systems require annual surveillance audits and public disclosure of findings through audit reports, as well as public consultation. Nearly 90% of Canada’s working forests are certified. Follow this link for more information on forestry certification.

Three internationally recognized certification systems are used in Canada. Governments in Canada do not endorse one certification system over another:

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) (PEFC Canada)

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI)

Where can you find wood products from certified forests?

Wood products originating from certified forests can be found in most office supply stores, home renovation stores and lumber yards.

Marine Stewardship Council

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification assures consumers world-wide that seafood products bearing the MSC eco-label come from fisheries that have passed rigorous, scientific, independent assessment for environmental and management practices. In order to become certified, fisheries must meet the MSC environmental standard for sustainable fishing.

What kinds of products are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council?

Products include wild-capture seafood from a certified fishery.

Where can you find products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council?

A number of stores and restaurants carry MSC labeled seafood. Look for the MSC certification label next time you buy seafood at the grocery store or restaurant, or follow this link to find out more on where to buy.