In the modern days of environmental awareness where many people are striving to keep the environment healthy, some people are left with the question of ‘what are environmentally friendly products?’ Products that are truly environmentally friendly should meet a number of criteria. While meeting one of these criteria makes the product environmentally friendlier, it does not necessarily make the product environmentally friendly. These products are referred to in a number of ways, from green products to eco friendly products, and represent a long, growing list of products.

A green product is usually made from environmentally friendly materials. These materials could be biodegradable such as paper or be recycled or recyclable materials. The materials that make up these products are considered green because the creation or use of them does not harm the environment. While these materials are gentle on the environment by being easily recyclable, they are not always produced in an eco friendly way.

Something uncommonly considered regarding green products is the production process. If the production process involves a large factory using tons of electricity, much of which is provided by non renewable resources such as fossil fuels, then it is not eco friendly. In contrast, if the process is done mostly by hand or if the factory is powered by renewable resources such as solar or wind energy, then it is eco friendly. The process a product is made through is just as important as the materials it is made from, as hurting the environment to make a product that does not hurt the environment is not eco friendly.

Green products should not hurt the environment or create any hazardous health risks for people. Products such as air fresheners and new carpets can sometimes negatively affect the indoor air quality of a home, making them harmful products. Other products can be harmful to people through direct contact such as deodorants and lipstick by being comprised of harmful chemicals that can damage or cause dangerous reactions with the skin. Since people are part of the environment, a product that is dangerous to people is no more eco friendly than a product that harms wildlife, no matter how efficient its production process.

The amount of waste and the efficiency of a product also determine its impact on the environment. Products shipped with large amounts of packaging create buildups in landfills along with products that feature short lifespans. Green products are produced with minimal packaging and feature longer lifespans such as fluorescent light bulbs. When deciding on the eco friendliness of a product, it is best to consider all the aspects of the product, from its materials to the production process and environmental safety.