If you walk down any aisle today, you’ll notice a sea of green leaves, globes, and recycling arrows on the packaging of various products. These are called eco-labels. Words like “eco-friendly“, “natural“, or “sustainable” seem to appear everywhere. But how can you tell which ones are real environmental certifications, and which are just clever marketing disgusting as eco-friendly products?
If you’re seeing eco-labels for the first time and wondering what they mean, check out EnvironBuzz’s earlier article, “An Introduction to Ecolabelling and How Canada Is Implementing It”. It’s a great primer on the basics, and goes into why they are necessary, the three types of eco-labelling, and a case study in Canada. If some symbols or concepts here are unfamiliar, that past article gives helpful background on what ecolabels are, how they’re defined under Canadian policy, and how to recognize credible ones.
Understanding eco-labels can help you make smarter, greener choices. Here’s a simple guide to decoding the most common symbols and what they actually stand for. Please note that this is a non-exhaustive list and is based off of the ones noted by the Government of Canada (2022).
1. The Mobius Loop
A familiar triangle made of arrows is called a Mobius loop. it means that the product or packaging is recyclable, contains recycled content, or both. This is likely one of the most common eco-labels spotted in products today. However, it should be noted that where you live creates restrictions on what is considered recyclable.
If there’s a number inside (1–7), it tells you what type of plastic it is. Make sure to check your local recycling rules as some numbers may not be accepted.
#1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): a clear, hard plastic used for single-use food and drink containers.
#2. High-density polyethylene (HDPE): a hard plastic often used for household cleaners, shampoo bottles, and yogurt containers.
#3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): a plastic material has a high chlorine content and high levels of hazardous additives to create the desired material. It must be separated during the recycling process.
#4. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE): a flexible plastic often used for plastic shopping bags and frozen food packaging. It needs to be separated to be appropriately recycled.
#5. Polypropylene (PP) a plastic commonly used for bottle caps, straws,and medicine bottles. It is one of the least recycled post-consumer plastics.
#6: Polystyrene (PS) a plastic commonly used for single-use coffee cups and materials such as styrofoam
#7: Other (Polycarbonate, BPA): The least desirable plastics that can be recycled. Items that fall under this category often consist of large plastic containers or mixed plastic plastics. These plastics need to go through the process of chemical recycling first. (Baleforce, 2021)
The Green Seal / EcoLogo
The Green Seal Certified logo means the product or service meets strict, science-based environmental leadership standards for its entire life cycle, ensuring it’s better for human health and the environment by reducing toxic pollution and waste. EcoLogo / UL Environment (Canada) verifies these claims through rigorous testing and evaluation, providing consumers with reassurance in the product’s sustainability.
Fairtrade Certified
The Fairtrade logo represents products that meet the Fairtrade International standards for ethical trade. This means the farmers and workers who produced it are paid fairly, work under safe conditions, and follow environmentally responsible practices. Fairtrade products also include a “Fairtrade Premium,” which supports community projects like education and healthcare in producer regions. The logo represents fairness for workers, sustainable processing practices, and respect for both people and the planet.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) logo shows that the wood fiber used in the packaging or product comes from responsibly managed forests. SFI-certified materials are harvested in ways that protect water quality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitats while also ensuring that forests are replanted and maintained for the future. When you see this label, it means the company supports sustainable forestry practices that balance environmental, social, and economic values. On-product label use is audited by accredited certification organizations.
Examples of labels and further explanations can be found on their website.
Energy Star
The ENERGY STAR logo in Canada appears on appliances, electronics, homes, and buildings that meet strict energy efficiency standards set by the Government of Canada in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Products with this label use less energy, save you money on utility bills, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ENERGY STAR logo is applied to products designed to perform efficiently while protecting the environment.
Cruelty-Free Testing
The Leaping Bunny logo is an internationally recognized symbol for cruelty-free products. It means that no animal testing was conducted at any stage of product development, from ingredients to the final formula. Certified by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics in the U.S. and Canada, the Leaping Bunny program ensures verified standards for companies committed to animal welfare.
Canada Organic
The Canada Organic logo shows that a food or agricultural product meets the Canadian Organic Standards, regulated by the Government of Canada. Products with this label are made with ingredients grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The certification also ensures responsible farming practices that protect soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare. When you see this logo, it means the product is certified organic from farm to table.
Marine Stewardship Council
The MSC logo is seen on seafood products that come from sustainably managed fisheries. When you see this blue fish label on fish or seafood products, it means the product meets strict standards for environmental responsibility, healthy fish populations, and minimal impact on the ocean ecosystem.
Concluding Thoughts
Some packaging uses vague claims like natural or planet-friendly without any certification to back it up. If there’s no official seal, QR code, or link to the certifying organization, it might just be a marketing tactic and is considered greenwashing.
Be sure to take a look at less common eco-labels as well, or do some additional research when faced with an unfamiliar one. References such as the Eco-Label Index are amazing ones to reference.
Eco-labels can be powerful tools for positive change, but only if you know what they mean. The more we understand them, the harder it becomes for brands to “greenwash” their image. When shopping, consider taking the time to look for verified logos.
References
Baleforce Recycling. (2021). Plastic numbers in Canada: What do they mean? Baleforce Recycling. https://baleforce.com/plastic-numbers-canada/
Ecolabel Index. (n.d.). Ecolabels in Canada. https://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabels/?st=country,ca
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. (2022). Environmental labels and claims. Government of Canada, Office of Consumer Affairs. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-consumer-affairs/en/be-green-consumer/environmental-labels-and-claims
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