Decoding eco-friendly labels: how to shop sustainably
Are you confused by the eco-friendly labels on supermarket shelves? Learn how to support sustainable organisations and skip the greenwashing. Understand key certifications like B-Corp, Biodegradable, Australian Certified Organic, FSC, and more. Being informed helps us be responsible consumers who protect our planet.
Many of us are trying to do our part for the environment – whether it’s by reducing plastic waste, driving less, or choosing more eco-friendly products. But with so many labels on supermarket shelves and prominent catchy marketing taglines convincing us of their eco-friendliness, feeling educated on what’s good or bad for the environment may be confusing.
Understanding every ingredient in a product isn’t the solution. So then, how does one know which brands and products genuinely do good for the environment and which are just jumping on the greenwashing bandwagon?
Let’s break down some essential labels to look for next time you shop.
1. B-Corp
When you see the B-Corp label, the company meets high social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency. Certified B-Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
This label can give you peace of mind that your purchase supports a business with ethical practices rather than contributing to unsustainable or harmful production methods.
2. Carbon Neutral
A Carbon Neutral label means that a company has measured its carbon footprint and taken steps to offset emissions, achieving net-zero impact. It signals that a company is actively reducing its contribution to climate change, and it’s a great way to support those doing their part to curb emissions.
Becoming a certified Carbon Neutral business can be both costly and time-consuming. At Carbon Positive Australia, we offer unverified offsets, meaning that any business or individual can offset with us and have a meaningful impact on the environment. While this may not show as a specific label on their packaging, their environmental initiatives will be communicated across their online channels, and ours.
Many organisations have already chosen to offset their carbon footprint with us, contributing directly to our planting projects where we plant enough native trees to offset each tonne of CO2e. You can learn more about the organisations that have chosen to offset with us here.
3. Australian Made and Owned
Supporting local economies is always a win. Australian Made and Owned labels indicate that a product is created right here in Australia. While this doesn’t automatically guarantee sustainability, it does mean shorter supply chains, which translates to fewer carbon emissions from transport.
However, just like with anything, it is important to do our own research as consumers about each companies’ ethics. Whilst the final production may be happening in Australia, much of the manufacturing may be happening overseas. Often, brands who value transparency and building a relationship of trust with their community will communicate their factory visits, and show evidence of healthy, safe and fair work conditions for all employees.
The easiest way of ensuring your purchase has low transport emissions, is to opt for local brands. When it comes to food, shop at your local food grocer or farmers market, where no labelling is required. It’s as local as it gets, helping you stay connected to the direct source of your goods.
4. Australian Certified Organic
The term “organic” can be thrown around loosely, but Australian Certified Organic ensures products are produced without synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This is a big step in reducing the toxic load on the environment, as organic farming methods prioritise soil health and biodiversity.
5. Rainforest Alliance Certified
In Australia, the Rainforest Alliance label is primarily found on products that are imported from overseas, particularly goods like coffee, tea, cocoa, and bananas. These are typically grown in tropical regions where the certification ensures sustainable farming practices that protect forests and biodiversity and support the well-being of local communities.
While the Rainforest Alliance label is not typically used for Australian-made products, it helps Australian consumers identify and support ethical and environmentally responsible sourcing from regions outside Australia. Locally, certifications like Australian Certified Organic or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) might be more relevant for home-grown products.
6. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
When buying paper, wood, furniture, or any forest-based materials, look for the FSC label. It certifies that the materials were sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits, protecting ecosystems and the rights of indigenous communities. It’s a simple way to support sustainable forestry practices.
7. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
If you’re a seafood lover, the MSC certification is one to watch. It guarantees that the seafood comes from sustainable fisheries that have been managed to minimise environmental impact, helping to protect ocean ecosystems.
8. Non-GMO
Non-GMO certifications are especially important for grains and meat products. For instance, soy is a common crop that can be genetically modified, but with this certification, you can ensure you’re buying products free of genetically modified organisms.
Although GMO crops are regulated in Australia, they are allowed in specific sectors, particularly for crops like cotton, canola, and imported soy products like tofu. Some animal products, especially eggs, chicken, and dairy products, may carry a non-GMO label to indicate that the livestock was not fed GMO feed. When shopping for products with organic certification, these will typically include a non-GMO requirement.
9. Regenerative produce
Regenerative agriculture goes beyond sustainability by actively improving soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystems. And we’re all in for that. Look for meat, eggs, and dairy products from farms that use regenerative practices, where animals are grass-fed and the land is holistically managed. This benefits the environment and improves the quality of the food you consume.
10. Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging
If you want to reduce waste, pay attention to packaging. Biodegradable and compostable labels indicate that packaging will break down naturally without harming the environment. Compostable options, when disposed of properly, can reduce landfills and decompose in the soil. We highly encourage you to learn more about this topic, as it is one of the most controversial ‘eco-friendly’ labels right now.
Home compostable products are estimated to decompose in a home compost in about a year’s time. Just Compostable is where it’s tricky, as there is no education around about this difference. It is required for these products to only be composted in special industrial or commercial facilities with the right technology.
To learn more about this topic, check out out this informative blog post by TIPA.
If you’d like to get a better understanding about what each eco-friendly label stands for, we highly encourage you to explore the Ecolabel index – a resourceful online database that can help you make more informed choices about a wide range of products.
Final thoughts: shopping with purpose
The Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment revealed in its 2021 National Plan that 3.5 million tonnes of plastic were used in 2018-2019. Statistics also revealed that 84% of plastic was sent to landfills, with as little as 13% being recycled.
Our choices at the checkout may seem small, but collectively, they can drive demand for more sustainable, ethical, and environmentally conscious products.
Next time you do your usual grocery shop, take a few extra moments to scan for these labels. Whether you’re purchasing organic produce, sustainable seafood, or responsibly sourced paper products, every decision counts in building a more sustainable future for all of us.