What environmental labels are worth knowing?

Graphic markings related to ecology and environmental protection are becoming more and more common. They can be seen on the packaging of many products that we reach for every day. What symbols are worth knowing and what do they mean? Here is a compendium of knowledge in a nutshell.

What are ecolabels?

Eco-labels, i.e. graphic signs related to ecology , were created to make people start to change their approach to the protection of nature and resources. Currently, signs of this type are used both in Poland and around the world. Simple, understandable symbols placed on packaging, product certificates, clothing or textiles provide important information about:

• quality and origin of raw materials (products, semi-finished products),
• quality of the production process,
• the possibility of reusing products,
• the way of segregation.

In order to obtain an ecological label, each company must undergo a complex, long-term process of selection and qualitative analysis. Certification bodies carry out spot checks and verify that a product meets certain environmental and resource standards.

Environmental signs and their descriptions

How to recognize graphic signs related to ecology? Most often they have a green or blue color, they have characteristic elements in the form of:

• arrows (signaling closed circuit),
• sprouting plants,
• ears,
• drops of water
• contours of the country in which they apply.

Some eco-labels have the word: bio, eco, certified in the name, so it's easy to recognize them. Where can I find detailed descriptions of ecolabels? A valuable source of information on this subject are the websites of certification organizations and brochures developed by the European Commission, governmental and non-governmental organizations and Points for Selective Collection of Municipal Waste.

What eco-labels can be found on food products?

Ecological labels are increasingly appearing on food products. What eco-labels are we talking about? These include, among others, the symbols:

• EKOLAND: this Polish sign, consisting of a blue drop of water and a yellow circle, was developed by the Polish Association of Food Producers using Ecological Methods. The organization has been operating since 1989 and grants labels only to those farms that use natural methods of cultivation and animal husbandry. The Ekoland logo, visible on the packaging, proves that the product was created without the use of chemical plant protection products and is not genetically modified.
• European Union organic production logo ( Euroleaf ): this eco-label has a distinctive light green color and a central leaf motif with 12 stars forming an edge. Only those products that meet stringent EU standards and consist of at least 95% natural ingredients receive the label.

Ecological labels on cosmetics

Conscious consumers are increasingly paying attention to the composition and origin of the cosmetics they use on a daily basis. The price includes natural products that do not contain artificial additives and are not tested on animals. These are cosmetics marked with symbols such as:

• ECO LABEL: popularly known as a daisy or a daisy, a mark issued by the European Commission authorities since 1992. The symbol appears on those products that have a low impact on the environment.
• The product is not tested on animals: a very characteristic sign with a bunny motif and the inscription: Not Tested On Animal (there are also Cruelty Free, No Animal Testing certificates). The symbol appears on the packaging of those cosmetics whose ingredients and final product have not been tested on animals.
• Certified natural cosmetic EKO: green mark, awarded by the Polish Center for Research and Certification SA to high-quality products of natural origin, intended for body care.
• Ozone Friendly: an eco-label stating that the cosmetic does not have a negative impact on the Earth's atmosphere and does not contribute to increasing the greenhouse effect.

What eco symbols are on the packaging?

The packaging of various products also increasingly includes eco-labels. Thanks to simple markings, the consumer can find out how to segregate waste and whether it is suitable for reuse in the biodegradation and recycling process. Popular signs related to environmental protection and visible on packaging include:

• Compostable: a green or black eco-label, depicting an emerging plant with two leaves. Awarded only to compostable raw materials.
• Recyclable: this eco-label, consisting of 3 arrows that form a triangle and run clockwise. Arrows can be black or green. The symbol shows that the material can be recycled again.
• Symbol: keep clean, throw it in the bin: with the image of a man throwing waste into a bin. The black eco-label informs that the packaging is subject to segregation and should be placed in the appropriate container.

The eco-labels presented above are only a fraction of the rich catalog of eco-labels, which is constantly growing. With the development of knowledge about environmental protection in the world, more and more initiatives and organizations are being created to test the quality of products and packaging. Consumers are increasingly reaching for products with eco and bio symbols - they want to ensure health and safety for themselves and their loved ones.