Responsible Practices
Judy Seybold, MS, RDN, LD, CLC
Chief Nutrition Officer
You can’t miss headlines declaring the devastating effects the production of various goods has on people and our environment. Greenhouse gases are increasing from grapes being flown into the U.S. from Chile and piles of discarded unsold clothing are clogging landfills, just to name a few. Consumers no longer want to stand on the sideline and watch as this devastation continues. They exercise their right to choose products that are better for the environment and buy from companies that use responsible production practices.
Companies are taking note of this, and more products are developed with an emphasis toward corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. Many companies share this information freely – and you can use this information to help you pick the brands you trust.
What should you look for? As global warming heats up, many consumers favor companies who reduce their carbon footprints to limit their impact on the environment. Local environmental impact is also important, and companies can make a difference by reducing waste, preventing pollution, conserving water or utilizing clean energy sources.
It is important to know how the people are treated who make the items you buy. Companies with responsible practices ensure anyone making their products here or abroad have fair labor practices. Saying no to child labor, ensuring safe working conditions, and providing living wages are key issues.
There are lots of ways the actual items we buy can be produced in a more responsible manner, too. In general, look for items that last longer, are reusable, or can be repaired. Also, items with recycled content, biodegradable cleaning products, energy-efficient appliances, and sustainably-sourced wood will have less impact on our environment.
When researching responsible practices, just be careful of greenwashing – when a company spends more money on public relations and/or marketing claiming to be “green” than they spend on putting environmentally-friendly practices into place. Do your own research.
Do Your Part
- Buy goods produced locally to reduce environmental impact of transportation
- Reduce packaging by buying in bulk
- BYOB – bring your own bag - when shopping
- Carry a refillable bottle. Unrecycled plastic bags/bottles can sit for decades in a landfill
- Support companies that are Fair Trade Certified to support workers' conditions and pay
- Work on reducing food and product waste at home to prevent over-purchasing of goods
Use Sifter to find products identified as Fair Trade
Start here →
What to Look for on Labels: There are many certifications and symbols used for identifying responsible practices on products. This list includes some of the most common ones that are used on a wide variety of products. For certifications, products must meet strict guidelines to earn the certification on their label.
Carbon-free: This certification recognizes companies that determine their carbon footprint, work to reduce their carbon emissions, and offset the carbon emissions their company is creating.
CarbonNeutral: This certification is for businesses that retire carbon credits to offset their carbon footprint – ultimately “neutralizing” their impact on greenhouse gasses.
Energy Star: This joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helps consumers identify the energy-efficiency of appliances and equipment.
Fair Trade Certified (Fair Trade USA): This organization sets standards for social, environmental and economic standards in a wide variety of consumer products. Most notably, farmers, workers, and fishermen are earning a better living in countries around the world because of this certification.
Forest Stewardship Council: This label means the product was created with material from a responsibly managed forest.
The Green Seal: This covers a variety of home improvement products, and ensures they meet high standards of environmental quality and performance.
Post-Consumer Content or Recycled Content: For paper products, this information on the label will identify how much recycled material is used in the item.
Rainforest Alliance Certified: Any products with this label must meet high standards in forestry and agriculture with an emphasis on sustainability.
WindMade Label: Products with this label have been made with at least 75% of the energy used from wind or other renewable sources.
World Wildlife Fund: Partners with major companies and supply chains to influence conservation efforts worldwide.
Don’t forget your personal impact! There are small, everyday changes you can make that contribute to being a more responsible consumer. Understand what food choices and products align with your ethics. Work with a registered dietitian to include those food choices in a healthy eating plan and to ensure they meet your nutrient needs as well.
Additional Resources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Energy
World Wildlife Fund