Earthenterprise Tool Kit - International Institute for Sustainable ...

EarthEnterprise Tool Kit
TOOL
were misleading and served to confuse rather than assist consumers. Canadian
consumers say their distrust of green product claims, rather than the recession,
inhibited their purchase of products touted as environmentally superior.
In July 1992, the U. S. F e d e ral Trade Commission released voluntary
manufacturer guidelines, covering such claims as ‘degradable’,‘compostable’,
‘recyclable’, ‘recycled content’, ‘source reduction’, ‘refillable’, and ‘ozone safe’.
Charges of issuing false claims have been brought against companies that make
coffee filters, disposable diapers, trash bags, and aerosols. Dozens of suspicious
claims are being tracked.
The message is clear: to be successful, products and services must be credible
to cynical and confused consumers. One way to gain credibility is to obtain
certification by any of the following organizations, all of which are attempting
to put an end to the confusion about genuine greenness.
Utilize Industry Standards
Scientific Certification Systems
(Formerly known as Green Cross)
Founded in 1984 to test pesticide residues in agricultural products, Scientific
Certification Systems (SCS), based in Oakland, California, has expanded its
program, and now certifies a diverse array of environmental and food safety
claims. Under its Environmental Claims Certification Program, introduced in
1990, SCS has certified single-criteria claims such as “recycled content,”
“ b i o d e g ra d a b l e ” , “ wa t e r- e f f i c i e n t ” , and “no VO C s ” for more than 1,100
products.
The Env i ronmental Report Card developed by SCS provides detailed
information about the performance and environmental burdens of a product,
based on a lifecycle, cradle-to-grave study of the product and its packaging.
Launched at Chicago’s Hardware Show in August, 1993,“The report card is the
environmental equivalent of a nutritional label” explained SCS President Dr.
Stanley Rhodes. The burdens listed on the report card include: the natural
resources depleted, the energy consumed, the pollution released into air or
water, and the solid waste generated. Such assessments make it easier to
compare the total environmental burden of one product relative to another.
Companies that have commissioned product report cards, which cost as much
as $30,000 each, include:
• North American Plastics: IronHold Recycle 1 trash bags;
• Webster Industries: RENEW trash bags;
• PlasticKote Inc.: PlastiKote enamel paints;
18
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT