Since we started the program in 2008, the list of What’s the Green Deal products has steadily grown as shoppers demand more sustainable options and manufacturers find more ways to make them. So how does a product qualify for a Green Deal sign in your local London Drugs?
When a product is considered, the Green Deal team looks for the following benefits:
- Organic Production
- Reduced Packaging
- Reduced Energy Use
- Recyclable Packaging or content
- Products that are degradable or compostable
- Recycled content in products or packaging
- Reduced synthetic chemicals / toxins
- Local production
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Logical environmental advantages (such as rechargeable batteries)
- Third-party certification
- Self-declared environmental claims
- Corporate responsibility
The best recommendation a product can have is third-party certification, such as BC Certified Organic, Transfair or Energy Star. Self-declared claims are also accepted if the product’s package and/or website offer reasonable transparency and support for the claim. We may contact manufacturers directly with specific questions in these cases. We also look at the product relative to others in its category. (If all the products on a shelf have recycled packaging, for instance, it would take more than that alone to qualify for Green Deal status)
Corporate behaviour plays a role, too. Does the manufacturer contribute to environmental or social causes? Are they measuring and working towards reducing their carbon footprint?
Ultimately, ‘green’ is in the eye of the beholder – there is no such thing as a ‘zero-footprint’ product. That’s why What’s the Green Deal is an information program, pointing out product benefits that also have benefits for the environment and leaving the ultimate green shopping decision to you.
We continue to refine and define our What’s the Green Deal process, so if you have feedback on our program or products, we’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on Twitter @WTGreenDeal or leave a comment on this blog.
Because the real Green Deal is what you do with it.
