What “Green” really means to manufacturers

Green is definitely the new catchphrase for manufacturers and for retailers. Everything seems to be labeled as “environmentally friendly” even when it may seem unlikely that this is the case. Here are some reasons why certain products may be labeled as being “green” and others may not.

The product may use recycled content
If you are looking at a product such as carpeting that is labeled “environmentally friendly” you may wonder how it could possibly be so. The material that makes up the item may actually have been made from recycled materials that would otherwise have taken years to break down in a landfill.

A perfect example is carpeting. There are some brands of carpeting and area rugs that are made from recycled plastic bottles. By taking the bottles out of a landfill and reusing them to make carpeting or other similar materials, there is less of a harmful impact on the environment. Some insulation is also made from recycled glass or plastic. Again, these are items that would take many years to break down in a landfill and would potentially release harmful compounds while they did break down.

The product may be carbon neutral
Many heating systems use fuel that is labeled “carbon neutral”. Biomass fuel such as wood pellets will often be labeled in this manner. While burning them does release carbon into the environment, it is only equal to the amount of carbon that was absorbed while the tree was growing. Thus, there is no net increase in the amount of carbon released into the environment.
The product may come from renewable sources
Many green products are now being made from renewable resources. Bamboo, for example, can be used in flooring and can also be used to make fabric and carpeting. Bamboo is actually a grass instead of a tree. Some species can grow as much as one foot per day. Because it can be harvested again and again, it is much more environmentally friendly than hardwood that may take many centuries to grow to a size where they can be harvested again.

Obviously, regardless of packaging it is important for homeowners to select the products that are right for them. There are many experts that can give you advice as to which products are likely to be best for your home, your budget and the environment as well. By asking questions about what manufacturing techniques have been used and what the benefit to the environment would be you can make decisions that will give you a stylish and environmentally friendly home.