What does it mean for something to be “eco-friendly”? Eco-products and materials are defined as non-polluting. These products promote green living or green manufacturing practices that reduce the amount or type of resources used. In short, eco-products help the earth, they don’t cause harm to it.
Green products are generally given this designation based on the materials they contain, how they are manufactured, packaged, and distributed, and how they are used. Thankfully, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) produces its Green Guides, providing all the details for companies to follow and allowing consumers to know what is required to earn an eco-friendly rating. For a product to be considered eco-friendly, a company must specifically call out what makes a product good for the environment. Eco-friendly products should indicate on the packaging or somewhere on the company’s website how the products are environmentally harmless.
Be careful with “general” statements on this subject, as some companies may throw away general terminology without providing many details. Any company statement that attempts to mislead users with false green claims is engaged in “greenwashing.” Don’t worry; we’re going to tell you exactly how the products we designate as eco-friendly have earned that distinction.
Erzsebet Frey (Eli Frey) is an ecologist and online entrepreneur with a Master of Science in Ecology from the University of Belgrade. Originally from Serbia, she has lived in Sri Lanka since 2017. Eli has worked internationally in countries like Oman, Brazil, Germany, and Sri Lanka. In 2018, she expanded into SEO and blogging, completing courses from UC Davis and Edinburgh. Eli has founded multiple websites focused on biology, ecology, environmental science, sustainable and simple living, and outdoor activities. She enjoys creating nature and simple living videos on YouTube and participates in speleology, diving, and hiking.