The environment in mind - HP’s new eco-label
HP just launched a info tool called the HP Eco Highlights label, intended to “help customers understand the environmental attributes of a specific product, tool or service”. The label will be posted on the web, on packaging and in data sheets.
Sounds like an eco-label to us. Lets take a look:
It’s got three sections:
1. Summary of environmental attributes., eg energy efficiency, designed for recyclability, etc
2. Other labels the product has been awarded, e.g. energy star
3. Info on how and where you can recycle the product
What’s cool: with the online version you can click on the label to link through to more info on environmental attributes and other products with similar attributes.
Less cool: When you click through it gets abit confusing as to how all the labels and information fits together….
But we like that they are erring on the side of more is more with cascading levels of information. Looking forward to hearing from consumers if they like and/or use the label!
No Comments » | Tags: eco-highlights, eco-label, environmental attributes, HP, IT
Posted by Anastasia on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 | Permalink |
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Eco-Televisions En Route
break out the x-box...
According to the DailyGreen.com the LCD TV Association is planning a label for eco-friendly televisions. No information on their website but worth keeping an eye out for. Once the label launches we’ll post it here.
According to the press release as a first step the association plans to advocate ambient light sensors in televisions that automatically adjust the brightness of the TV and can improve energy efficiency as much as 30%.
No Comments » | Tags: electronics
Posted by Jacob on Monday, May 5th, 2008 | Permalink |
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The Go Green Decision Tree
It's not as hard as you think.
Here’s how you can easily make the best green choices in the shopping aisles of almost every retailer. It’s simple, straightforward, and you know you’ve made your best effort to go green:
BEST CHOICE = Look for an independent “green” or “eco” label
Example:
A. Ecologo Green Paper Towel = BEST CHOICE
B. Loblaw’s Green Paper Towel = BETTER CHOICE
Note: Not sure about label? Investigate at ecolabelling.org
OK CHOICE = Green or eco words used on product
Example: “natural, earth friendly, organic, green, eco-friendly, climate friendly”
Risks: A good list of greenwashing examples from the LA Times.
EVERY BIT HELPS CHOICE = Recycled packaging
Be aware that the product inside won’t be green, but if there aren’t any better options then go for it, every little bit helps!
2 Comments » | Tags:
Posted by Jacob on Monday, May 5th, 2008 | Permalink |
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Greenwash Kung Fu Tips
Seventh Generation's sensai gives a lesson.
Here’s a great blog post by Jeff Hollender of Seventh Generation giving some tips on how to avoid greenwashing.
Our favourite tips:
1. Product or Packaging? That’s a big one for us. Should be easy to check.
2. Fluff words? Watch out for “natural” or “earth friendly” claims. The “100% Beef” of the eco-world.
3. Can you check it? Is there an ecolabel like the ones found in this database. Is that ecolabel not owned by the same company making the product.
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Posted by Jacob on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 | Permalink |
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Logo Equals Ecolabel
Almost as arcane as the Dewey Decimal System.
Hi Label Geeks,
This is the first in a series of posts we’re going to file under “how we roll” that explains how we’re making changes to the site and asks for your input in true bottom up fashion.
We’ve been asking labels for permission to post their logos to our site. You’ll see these popping up all over the site over the next few weeks as we add them.
It got us thinking about how we organise the labels. Until now we’ve listed each country where PEFC (Pan-European Forest Council) exists as a separate label. We did this partly because PEFC isn’t always called PEFC. In Australia for example, it’s called “The Australian Forestry Standard Limited” here’s a list of all the PEFC’s that aren’t called PEFC.
Today we decided the best way to deal with this is to have one PEFC entry and list all the countries that PEFC is present in.
Our definition of “Ecolabel” will now be dependent on the logo. If the label has a different logo, we’ll provide a different listing. The reason we’re doing this is that we figure if we saw a different logo in the store, we would assume it’s a different standard, and it’s important for us to be consumer facing.
Hope that makes sense!
No Comments » | Tags: how we roll
Posted by Jacob on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 | Permalink |
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EU considering recognising forest ecolabels in regulation
EU seeks green label for wood furniture - International Herald Tribune
The EU is considering strengthening its timber import laws in a bid to stop illegal logging in developing countries. The legislation may recognize existing ecolabels like FSC, which would get a big boost from EU regulatory endorsement.
Exactly which labels the EU ends up endorsing in legislation may put to rest much of the discussion about which forest labels are considered best in class. See our forest products section for examples of existing forestry ecolabels.
No Comments » | Tags: forestry
Posted by Jacob on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 | Permalink |
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Fresh tracks at Whistler
Avoid rocks in sustainable purchasing slalom.
“But it’s so HARD to figure out what to do!”…a common refrain from those resisting implementing sustainable purchasing policies. Well, The Natural Step Canada has helped Whistler come up with a guide that can help anyone survive the sustainable purchasing slalom.
With guidelines for everything from antifreeze to writing instruments, the Whistler 2020 Sustainable Purchasing Guide helps people ask the right questions — and provides guidance on not just what to choose, but what to avoid.
Clear, easy, straightforward. We like.
No Comments » | Tags: sustainable purchasing, tool
Posted by Trevor on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 | Permalink |
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Tesco to put carbon scores on goods - Telegraph
A bold commitment to carbon disclosure.
Tesco to put carbon scores on goods - Telegraph
Tesco, a large UK retailer, will add carbon scores to thirty of its products this week. A key challenge, already identified by consumer groups, will if it’s information overload for consumers or not. Tesco’s must have considered this, and decided to err on the side of disclosure, which is our opinion as well. Over time, metrics around these amounts will be established, the first step is getting the information out there. It’s the same approach we’ve taking with ecolabelling.org in fact.
No Comments » | Tags: carbon
Posted by Jacob on Monday, April 28th, 2008 | Permalink |
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