by Lauren Simon

Many of the products we take off of the shelf at stores these days may have one or more of these words on their labels: green, eco-friendly, non-toxic and natural.

Now more than ever, we can see how many companies and manufacturers distinguish their products as “green” or ones that are made with our environmental and personal health in mind. From beauty products to household cleaners, disinfectants and even food packaging, we use several types of products every day. How often, or how little, do we think about the broader impacts of them should be considered.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports on the various effects of the products we use, including toxic exposure, air and water pollution, and climate change. Actually, the damage starts before we even use these items. These impacts take their toll during the manufacturing, packaging and distribution stages. These environmental and health risks can present themselves in different ways. The ingredients in some cleaning products can cause skin and eye irritation or pose a health threat to aquatic species. Product packaging that is made with heavy metals, BPA and phthalates can be equally as problematic.

Defining a Sustainable Product

Some characteristics of what constitutes a sustainable product can include the absence of corrosive or irritating substances and ozone-depleting compounds. Whether or not renewable resources are used in the product is also closely considered. Biodegradability, low toxicity to aquatic environments and limited fragrance content also fit within these criteria.

In regard to product packaging, a sustainable item might look like one with recyclable or lightweight packaging, products shipped in bulk, or one that is reusable, like a refillable bottle.

Eco-labels can be good indicators of a safe and healthy product. According to a recent article in U.S. News and World Report, some labels we might see could be “USDAOrganic,” “Non-GMO Project Verified,” “Carbon Neutral Certified,” and “Regenerative Organic Certified.” The EPA advises approaching these labels with a critical eye; when purchasing green products and services, we can consider the company’s reputation or if they are managed by the EPA or other government agency.

Finding and Using Sustainable Products

Treehugger.com emphasizes the importance of scanning the ingredient list on products rather than simply taking eco-labels at face value. Both quality and quantity matter here; truly green products can be identified through specific ingredients and the length of the ingredient list itself. This is especially crucial when shopping for food, cosmetics and household cleaning products.

Recyclable packaging, such as glass, metal and paper, or just less packaging as a whole, is significantly more sustainable. Purchasing products locally, such as produce at farmers markets, also reduces the costs and environmental impacts of transportation and distribution.

The list of products we use every day seems endless, but we can start by becoming more mindful of common household products we use. Using biodegradable laundry and dish detergents as well as opting for reusable cloths instead of disposable wipes are small changes we can make. Although convenient, single-use coffee pod machines are best avoided; the plastic and aluminum pods that aren’t recycled end up becoming yet another addition to our landfills. We can even make our own eco-friendly household cleaner from items we might find at home, like water, vinegar and baking soda.

Whether it’s reusable shopping bags at the grocery store or safer ingredients in our favorite foods, we can all contribute in small ways to the health of one another and our planet.

Lauren Simon is a freelance writer with a passion for holistic health and a contributor to Natural Awakenings.