Why It Matters -
Global marketplace imbalances often keep small-scale coffee growers in poverty while
middlemen and end buyers grow wealthy on their labors. Fair Trade programs connect
farmers directly with buyers, so that they can get a fair price for the crops that create your
morning brew.
Global marketplace imbalances often keep small-scale coffee growers in poverty while
middlemen and end buyers grow wealthy on their labors. Fair Trade programs connect
farmers directly with buyers, so that they can get a fair price for the crops that create your
morning brew.
| What it Means - Farmers and farm workers earned good income for this coffee, allowing them to stay on the land, invest in their businesses, and improve the lives of their families and communities with health, education and other services. |
| What it Means - This Shrimp was farmed and/or processed using methods that protect the environment, and are in compliance with labor laws for worker safety and fair compensation. |
| What it Means - This food, or a high percentage of ingredients in this product, was farmed according to national standards for use of renewable resources, conservation of soil and water, and without use of antibiotics, growth hormones, most conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation. |
Why It Matters -
Each American eats around four and a half pounds of shrimp a year, much of it raised via
aquaculture. So it's vital that farmed shrimp be produced with high environmental, labor,
and community standards.
Each American eats around four and a half pounds of shrimp a year, much of it raised via
aquaculture. So it's vital that farmed shrimp be produced with high environmental, labor,
and community standards.
Why It Matters -
Eating foods and using health and beauty products that are USDA Organic certified reduce your
exposure to pesticides while supporting agricultural practices that enhance the environment
instead of harming it.
Eating foods and using health and beauty products that are USDA Organic certified reduce your
exposure to pesticides while supporting agricultural practices that enhance the environment
instead of harming it.
| What it Means - This home or household product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPS) and the Department of Energy. |
Why It Matters -
With most of our energy currently generated from fossil fuels, using less energy means
emitting less greenhouse gas pollution - and reducing your energy bill in the process.
With most of our energy currently generated from fossil fuels, using less energy means
emitting less greenhouse gas pollution - and reducing your energy bill in the process.
| What it Means - This home or household product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPS) and the Department of Energy. |
Why It Matters -
With most of our energy currently generated from fossil fuels, using less energy means
emitting less greenhouse gas pollution - and reducing your energy bill in the process.
With most of our energy currently generated from fossil fuels, using less energy means
emitting less greenhouse gas pollution - and reducing your energy bill in the process.
| What do these symbols mean? |
| What it Means - This product can be recycled, and/or is partly made from recycled materials. Added text may indicate which meaning is intended, what percentage is recycled, or whether it is post-consumer waste, instead of leftover material from other manufacturing. |
Why It Matters -
This symbol is frequently found on paper products, since many consumers now prefer that
forests not be cut down to create toilet paper and junk mail. Most common paper goods can be
made just as well with some or all recycled paper.
This symbol is frequently found on paper products, since many consumers now prefer that
forests not be cut down to create toilet paper and junk mail. Most common paper goods can be
made just as well with some or all recycled paper.
| What it Means - A label that assures you that the product comes from a well managed fishery and has not contributed to the environmental problem of overfishing. The MSC is an independent, global, non-profit organisation which was set up to find a solution to the problem of overfishing. |
Why It Matters -
Without fishery management there are estimates that all of the fish will be gone from our
waters in 50 years. Unless action is taken some of our favourite fish may disappear from the
seafood counter altogether. And it's not just our supper that's at stake: overfishing is damaging
fishing industries and marine environments around the world.
Without fishery management there are estimates that all of the fish will be gone from our
waters in 50 years. Unless action is taken some of our favourite fish may disappear from the
seafood counter altogether. And it's not just our supper that's at stake: overfishing is damaging
fishing industries and marine environments around the world.
| What it Means - EcoLogo is North America’s most widely recognized and respected certification of environmental leadership, setting standards and certifying products in more than 120 categories. There are currently more than 7,000 EcoLogo-certified products from hundreds of manufacturers. |
| Why it Matters - This certification was launched by the Canadian federal government in 1988, EcoLogo is North America’s oldest environmental standard and certification. These certifications help grow the world’s most sustainable companies and the consumer can feel comfortable that they are purchasing a certified green product. |
| What it Means - Independent, third party certification of organic food systems has been the foundation of domestic and international organic food trade. Verifies that the organic integrity is maintained. From the land on which the product is grown; to the producers growing the product; to the post-harvest facilities preparing the product; to the processing and handling facilities transforming the product. |
| Why it Matters - Founded in 1989, QAI offers verification services ensuring that the organic integrity of food and fiber products is preserved from seed to shelf. QAI offers innovative, comprehensive certification programs that allow producers, trading companies, manufacturers, private labelers, restaurants and retail distributors to guarantee their products meet the regulatory guidelines or standards applicable to their specific needs. |
| TanaDean.com |
Green Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker
| Green Lifestyle Internet Eco Business and eCommerce |
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