Are you buying Green or Greenwashed? All Labels Explained

As we sip into our lattes with a paper straw, watching it soften and begin dissolving in a matter of minutes, one wonders, am I really saving the planet here? I really hope this was worth it and somewhere, I reduced plastic waste from ending up in landfills. 🥤

In the absence of quantification or visual proof, all we have is guesswork or a dependency on the claims made by the company who is selling the green product. This applies to all the eco-friendly alternatives available in the life science industry as well. 

Generally such products come with a premium price and that’s why you should understand the difference between all the environmental labels and at least have an idea of the level of impact you are creating individually. 

Not all green claims are created equal 🌱

The seemingly thin line of difference between recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, organic, eco-friendly and so on, has created a space for exaggeration and greenwashing. 

Greenwashing: The act or practice of making a product, policy, activity, etc. appear to be more environmentally friendly or less environmentally damaging than it really is

So the question is -  Are you truly investing in a sustainable product, or being influenced by  claims that offer little more impact than what you’re already achieving by switching to paper straws and reusing shopping bags? 🛍️

Let’s find out 👇

♻️ RECYCLABLE 

Recyclable means that the material used in a product can be collected and processed to create new products, helping to reduce the use of raw resources. This is dependent on the availability of a proper recycling facility. 

For example, recycled plastic means that little to no new plastic was added in the production of a product, as it was made from repurposed plastic materials. 

However plastic cannot be recycled more than once or twice because the polymer chain shortens each time plastic is recycled, degrading its quality and ultimately it is discarded like any other plastic waste. 🗑️

🌎SUSTAINABLE 

Sustainability goes beyond the materials used; it includes the entire life cycle, from raw material sourcing to manufacturing processes and final disposal. It is a combination of eco-friendly practices which come together for an impact in the long-run. 

For example: If a company sources materials responsibly, processes it in a plant that uses renewable energy while generating significantly less waste, can be called a sustainable manufacturer. 

🌳ECO-FRIENDLY  

This is a broader and less specific term which is used for anything that causes a less environmental impact. A product can be labelled eco-friendly if it uses less plastic than usual or if a final product uses less electricity to operate than earlier. 

🍃 BIODEGRADABLE 

Biodegradable materials  are those that break down naturally over time. This in a true sense of the word is an “alternative” to plastic or other non-biodegradable products. Such products do not remain in a landfill for hundreds of years and it breaks down like any organic waste from your kitchen. 

Biodegradability creates a direct and most profound impact on the environment because it removes instead of only minimizing or delaying the burden associated with waste. 

Our Plastic Calculator eliminates guesswork 🤩

We have always said that the GreenMAX impact is real and measurable. It is not a matter of somewhere, somehow you saved the planet but a clear picture of what level of impact you have created and the additional advantages you gain on top of helping the environment. 

Every tip rack you purchase creates a difference you can see.  Because the material is biodegradable, the earth will organically degrade it without any intervention from our end. Unlike recycled plastic that just delays its fate of ending up in a landfill. 

Here is the link to our plastic calculator 

That being said, one effort is not less than the other 🤝

They might have varying levels of direct impact but everything contributes to our shared mission of creating a better, greener world. It’s all about making an informed decision. The overarching idea is to opt for alternatives that do not compromise the environment or our convenience and don't burn a hole in our pockets. 💸

Have some more time on your hands? ⏱️

📖 Read: Is Sustainability even a possibility in modern labs? 

Looking for something lighter? 🍹

📺Watch: The Saturday Showdown on YouTube 

Toodles 👋