How to Recognise Eco-Friendly Products
How do you know if products are eco-friendly? Going green is a way of life nowadays that can have a huge impact on the world we live in. Whether you run your own company and want to reduce your business's footprint or you are just trying to reduce your own impact while in your place of work, choosin...
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How do you know if products are eco-friendly?
Going green is essential in today's world. Whether you want to reduce your business's footprint or your impact at work, choosing eco-friendly workplace supplies can make a real difference. Look for these certifications to identify eco-friendly products:
FSC: Ensures products are made from responsibly managed forests.
PEFC: Promotes sustainable forest management.
Fairtrade: Supports fair wages and sustainable farming.
Blue Angel: Certifies products with high environmental standards.
CPLA: Biodegradable plastics from renewable resources.
By opting for products with these certifications, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact.
The simplest way of recognising eco-friendly products is to look for these icons on the product or its packaging, the most popular icons are the green leaf which indicates a green/eco-friendly product and the more familiar triangle, which confirms recycled materials or products.
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. The certified products tend to be slightly higher in price, but, when you buy FSC-Certified office supplies, you can rest assured knowing that the product supports the growth of responsible forest management and sustainable practices.
PEFC is the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. Certifications ensure that the timber used doesn’t originate from protected forests to produce certified products. This includes ensuring that species are protected and not used for production or go towards deforestation and that there is no negative impact on the local communities.
Fairtrade certification, Blue Angel and CPLA
Fairtrade is a global movement and certification system for promoting better trading conditions and sustainable practices for farmers and workers in developing countries. The Fairtrade label signifies that products have been produced with rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. Choosing Fairtrade products contributes to a more just and sustainable global economy. Fairtrade products include Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, bananas and other fruits.
Blue Angel certifies products and services that meet high standards of environmental and health protection. The Blue Angel label assures consumers that the certified products have a reduced impact on the environment and help promote sustainable consumption. The Blue Angel label covers a range of products and services, such as: paper products, cleaning agents & detergents, and office equipment.
CPLA stands for Crystallised Polylactic Acid, a type of bioplastic that serves as an alternative to traditional plastics. It's derived from renewable resources such as cornstarch or sugarcane. Unlike traditional plastics made from petroleum, CPLA is more environmentally friendly and offers several benefits, especially in terms of sustainability and compostability. CPLA is commonly used in the food service industry for producing cutlery, cups, food containers, and food packaging.
See our guide to buying eco-friendly office & workplace supplies
Paper
Recognising eco-friendly paper is simple when you know what to look for. Start by checking for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), which ensure the paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Additionally, look for the Blue Angel label, which signifies high environmental standards. Recycled paper is another great option, often marked with a recycling symbol. Choosing paper with these certifications not only supports sustainable practices but also helps reduce your carbon footprint, making it a smart choice for the environment and your business
Files, folders, binders, books & pads
Discover a wide range of eco-friendly office supplies made from 100% recycled paper and fully recyclable materials. Look for punched pockets made from 80% recycled polypropylene (PP) material, ensuring they are reusable and recyclable. While many books and pads feature pages made from 100% recycled paper, note that the outer covers may not be fully recyclable, yet they still qualify as eco-friendly due to their overall recyclable content. Always check for icons and certifications to confirm the environmental benefits of your office supplies.
Catering, janitorial, and washroom supplies
Choose more sustainable catering supplies like tea, coffee, and sugar with Fairtrade certification. Opt for janitorial products made with plant-based ingredients, including cleaning fluids, wipes, washing-up liquids, and laundry products—many of which are biodegradable and recyclable (except toilet rolls and paper towels). Eco-friendly toilet paper and kitchen rolls produced from 100% sustainable bamboo are ideal for sensitive skin. While some eco-products may still come in non-recyclable packaging, improvements are being made rapidly, offering better options for a greener future.
Packaging & mailroom, noticeboards, whiteboards, bins, and meeting equipment
Recognising eco-friendly packaging and mailroom supplies, noticeboards, whiteboards, bins, and meeting equipment is crucial for a sustainable office. Look for products with certifications such as FSC and PEFC, ensuring they are made from responsibly sourced materials. Opt for packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials, and choose mailroom supplies that minimize waste. Noticeboards and whiteboards should be constructed from eco-friendly materials, like recycled aluminium frames or natural cork. For bins, seek out those made from recycled plastics or sustainable materials. Lastly, meeting equipment should be durable, reusable, and preferably made from recycled or sustainable resources. Always check for eco-friendly icons and certifications to confirm your choices.
Envelopes & writing instruments
Identifying eco-friendly envelopes and writing instruments is key to maintaining a sustainable office. Look for envelopes made from 100% recycled paper or those certified by eco-labels such as FSC or PEFC. For writing instruments, choose products made from recycled or biodegradable materials, and check for certifications that confirm their eco-friendly credentials. Opt for refillable pens and pencils to reduce waste, and select products that minimise plastic use. Always look for eco-friendly icons and certifications on packaging to ensure your office supplies contribute to a greener environment.
Printer ink & toner
No matter what type of printer your business uses, replacing ink or toner regularly is essential. Unfortunately, cartridges can significantly impact the environment. Instead of discarding empty cartridges, recycle them with us, and the funds raised from recycling will be donated to our chosen charity, SeeSaw.
When shopping for replacement ink cartridges, opt for recycled or remanufactured options. Recycling keeps millions of empty cartridges out of landfills and prevents ink from contaminating the soil. Many cartridges are now designed with environmental considerations, making them a better choice for your business and the planet.
Conclusion
Buying eco-friendly office supplies is a great way to reduce your company’s environmental impact. When browsing products, spend a little more time looking around to find options manufactured with eco-friendliness. Some may be slightly higher in price, but self-satisfaction and the decreased environmental impact are a great return on your investment.
Check out the A&J Approved sustainable product range
Check out our Free eco-friendly solutions for your workplace
How do you know if products are eco-friendly?
Going green is essential in today's world. Whether you want to reduce your business's footprint or your impact at work, choosing eco-friendly workplace supplies can make a real difference. Look for these certifications to identify eco-friendly products:
FSC: Ensures products are made from responsibly managed forests.
PEFC: Promotes sustainable forest management.
Fairtrade: Supports fair wages and sustainable farming.
Blue Angel: Certifies products with high environmental standards.
CPLA: Biodegradable plastics from renewable resources.
By opting for products with these certifications, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact.
The simplest way of recognising eco-friendly products is to look for these icons on the product or its packaging, the most popular icons are the green leaf which indicates a green/eco-friendly product and the more familiar triangle, which confirms recycled materials or products.
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. The certified products tend to be slightly higher in price, but, when you buy FSC-Certified office supplies, you can rest assured knowing that the product supports the growth of responsible forest management and sustainable practices.
PEFC is the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. Certifications ensure that the timber used doesn’t originate from protected forests to produce certified products. This includes ensuring that species are protected and not used for production or go towards deforestation and that there is no negative impact on the local communities.
Fairtrade certification, Blue Angel and CPLA
Fairtrade is a global movement and certification system for promoting better trading conditions and sustainable practices for farmers and workers in developing countries. The Fairtrade label signifies that products have been produced with rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. Choosing Fairtrade products contributes to a more just and sustainable global economy. Fairtrade products include Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, bananas and other fruits.
Blue Angel certifies products and services that meet high standards of environmental and health protection. The Blue Angel label assures consumers that the certified products have a reduced impact on the environment and help promote sustainable consumption. The Blue Angel label covers a range of products and services, such as: paper products, cleaning agents & detergents, and office equipment.
CPLA stands for Crystallised Polylactic Acid, a type of bioplastic that serves as an alternative to traditional plastics. It's derived from renewable resources such as cornstarch or sugarcane. Unlike traditional plastics made from petroleum, CPLA is more environmentally friendly and offers several benefits, especially in terms of sustainability and compostability. CPLA is commonly used in the food service industry for producing cutlery, cups, food containers, and food packaging.
See our guide to buying eco-friendly office & workplace supplies
Paper
Recognising eco-friendly paper is simple when you know what to look for. Start by checking for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), which ensure the paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Additionally, look for the Blue Angel label, which signifies high environmental standards. Recycled paper is another great option, often marked with a recycling symbol. Choosing paper with these certifications not only supports sustainable practices but also helps reduce your carbon footprint, making it a smart choice for the environment and your business
Files, folders, binders, books & pads
Discover a wide range of eco-friendly office supplies made from 100% recycled paper and fully recyclable materials. Look for punched pockets made from 80% recycled polypropylene (PP) material, ensuring they are reusable and recyclable. While many books and pads feature pages made from 100% recycled paper, note that the outer covers may not be fully recyclable, yet they still qualify as eco-friendly due to their overall recyclable content. Always check for icons and certifications to confirm the environmental benefits of your office supplies.
Catering, janitorial, and washroom supplies
Choose more sustainable catering supplies like tea, coffee, and sugar with Fairtrade certification. Opt for janitorial products made with plant-based ingredients, including cleaning fluids, wipes, washing-up liquids, and laundry products—many of which are biodegradable and recyclable (except toilet rolls and paper towels). Eco-friendly toilet paper and kitchen rolls produced from 100% sustainable bamboo are ideal for sensitive skin. While some eco-products may still come in non-recyclable packaging, improvements are being made rapidly, offering better options for a greener future.
Packaging & mailroom, noticeboards, whiteboards, bins, and meeting equipment
Recognising eco-friendly packaging and mailroom supplies, noticeboards, whiteboards, bins, and meeting equipment is crucial for a sustainable office. Look for products with certifications such as FSC and PEFC, ensuring they are made from responsibly sourced materials. Opt for packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials, and choose mailroom supplies that minimize waste. Noticeboards and whiteboards should be constructed from eco-friendly materials, like recycled aluminium frames or natural cork. For bins, seek out those made from recycled plastics or sustainable materials. Lastly, meeting equipment should be durable, reusable, and preferably made from recycled or sustainable resources. Always check for eco-friendly icons and certifications to confirm your choices.
Envelopes & writing instruments
Identifying eco-friendly envelopes and writing instruments is key to maintaining a sustainable office. Look for envelopes made from 100% recycled paper or those certified by eco-labels such as FSC or PEFC. For writing instruments, choose products made from recycled or biodegradable materials, and check for certifications that confirm their eco-friendly credentials. Opt for refillable pens and pencils to reduce waste, and select products that minimise plastic use. Always look for eco-friendly icons and certifications on packaging to ensure your office supplies contribute to a greener environment.
Printer ink & toner
No matter what type of printer your business uses, replacing ink or toner regularly is essential. Unfortunately, cartridges can significantly impact the environment. Instead of discarding empty cartridges, recycle them with us, and the funds raised from recycling will be donated to our chosen charity, SeeSaw.
When shopping for replacement ink cartridges, opt for recycled or remanufactured options. Recycling keeps millions of empty cartridges out of landfills and prevents ink from contaminating the soil. Many cartridges are now designed with environmental considerations, making them a better choice for your business and the planet.
Conclusion
Buying eco-friendly office supplies is a great way to reduce your company’s environmental impact. When browsing products, spend a little more time looking around to find options manufactured with eco-friendliness. Some may be slightly higher in price, but self-satisfaction and the decreased environmental impact are a great return on your investment.
Check out the A&J Approved sustainable product range
Check out our Free eco-friendly solutions for your workplace
