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Products with an eco-label are easy to find in many countries. They’re so common that it seem like it’s easy to shop with a clear conscience. For a higher price, consumers can buy chocolate, fish, clothes and paper goods with an eco-label or the logo indicating the product was made with recycled material.
But just because something has been labeled as ecologically friendly does not mean that it is. A closer look reveals that wood and paper are more harmful to the environment than we believe. In fact, almost every supposedly transparent supply chain has its problems – although these typically do not damage the reputation of the eco-label, thanks to watered-down standards and clever marketing.
These practices have been called out by activists, environmentalists and by manufacturers who want to see change. Among them is Austrian chocolatier Josef Zotter, who says "fairtrade" isn't fair enough, and who wants regulations to go further.
Of course, not everyone can afford exclusive ecological swimwear made from "ghost nets" floating in the oceans. But there is a rational behind such products. Experts agree that limiting our consumption to sustainably produced products isn’t enough. They say we also need to reduce consumption overall. The first question consumers should ask themselves, then, is whether they really need an item. Only with this mindset can we begin to consume with a clear conscience.
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