«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»«°»^«°»^«°»
M A K I N G I N D I A G R E E N
Vol. 1, No.1 «°» January 1, 2001
Priya Shah, Editor, mailto:Priya@makingindiagreen.com
«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»«°»^«°»^«°»
Privacy Policy:
Our subscriber list is confidential and we respect your privacy.
This newsletter is distributed by subscription only.
All subscription and unsubscription information can be found at
the end of this issue.
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
In This Issue:
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
«» Welcome
«» News Digest
«» Your Green Recipe
«» MIG Features - India's Ecomark: Stuck in Limbo
Interview with Consumer Activist, N.G.Wagle
«» Article - *Environmentally Friendly* Claims Not
Consumer Friendly (Source: Consumers International)
«» Green Tips - Making compost at home
«» Contact Details
«» Subscribe/Unsubscribe
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
*The year 2000 begins the environment millennium.
The time to act is now.*
- Kofi A. Annan
Secretary-General of the United Nations
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Welcome
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
A new year. A new millenium. And with it the realisation that
its not easy being green in India.
For those of us concerned about reducing the size of our own
ecological footprint, its time to reflect on how we're going
to live lighter in the future. Each question we ask seems to
give rise to even more questions. Does individual action help,
and if yes, what should that action involve? These are the
questions that we will try to find answers to in this
newsletter.
Researchers at the Worldwatch Institute believe that the
trends that led to the first Earth Day in 1970 have continued,
and will not be reversed, say, without a rise in citizen
concern and action, to fill in where governments and
corporations have failed. This is where the individual
consumer steps in.
The first rule of thumb in sustainable living is to *reduce*
consumption. That gives the *green* consumer movement the
unenviable role of making shoppers stop before they buy, to
ask whether they need a product at all. But, loaded with
disposable income and faced with all the temptations of new
goods in a liberalised economy, the mantra of reduced
consumption might be anathema for the new Indian.
Proponents of the green consumer movement in India, have
their work cut out for them. Firstly, because awareness
about environmental issues is poor. Secondly, because brand
and pricing are more important to consumers than
environmental benefits.
In developed countries, voluntary eco-labelling schemes,
rating of industries and campaigns by independent
organisations have helped raise consumer awareness of the
environmental impact of manufacturing processes, and spurred
initiatives by corporations eager to maintain a green public
image.
An important task for the green consumer movement in India is
to make producers and retailers label their merchandise fully
and honestly. The movement must also persuade governments to
add their muscle to this reasonable demand.
Hope for the green consumer in India, also comes in the form
of the Green Rating of Indian Industry currently being
executed by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
When corporations realize that good environmental performance
also makes good business sense, it will perhaps be easier to
be green in India.
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
News Digest
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
PEOPLE'S CARAVAN 2000 -- CITIZENS ON THE MOVE FOR LAND AND
FOOD WITHOUT POISONS!
November 14, 2000
On November 13, 2000, the People's Caravan --"Citizens on
the Move for Land and Food Without Poisons!"-- comprised of
thousands of farmers, landless peasants, farmworkers, and
pesticide reform and anti-genetic engineering activists,
began the long march from India to Bangladesh and the
Philippines. The Caravan, is part of a campaign targeting the
unethical practices of many transnational corporations (TNCs).
As an alternative, farmers will develop strategies to resist
the pressure to shift from traditional farming practices to
export-oriented crop production, a system underpinned by
increasing landlessness, hazardous pesticide use and
introduction of potentially unsafe and inadequately tested
genetically engineered crops. Farmers in the Philippines will
also participate in a seed exchange, with traditional homegrown,
indigenous seed varieties, to celebrate seed diversity and
traditional farmers' rights to seed. Caravan activities will
inform farmers and consumers of local initiatives towards a
more sustainable, healthy agriculture that embraces local and
traditional knowledge and practices.
For more information, visit the People's Caravan Web site at
http://www.poptel.org.uk/panap/caravan.htm.
USDA FINALIZES ORGANIC FOOD STANDARDS
EarthVision Environmental News
December 21, 2000
Three years after publishing a proposed rule governing
organic foods, the final standards that will govern the US
production, handling and processing of organic products were
released. Under the new guidelines, all agricultural products
labeled organic must originate from farms or handling
operations certified by a state or private agency accredited
by USDA. However, farms and handling operations that sell less
than dollars 5000 worth per year of organic agricultural
products are exempt from certification. Farmers and handlers
have 18 months to comply with the new national standards.
These standards set down what "organic" means, and cover the
methods, practices and substances that can be used in producing
and handling organic crops and livestock, as well as processed
products. The final standards clearly set organic labeling
criteria and specifically prohibit the use of genetic
engineering methods, ionizing radiation and sewage sludge for
fertilization.
http://www.gnet.org/Coldfusion/News_Page2.c
OFFICE BUILDING GETS FIRST SELF-CONTAINED WASTEWATER
TREATMENT SYSTEM
EarthVision Environmental News
Taking a page out of Mother Nature's handbook, a North
Carolina State University water quality specialist has created
a self-contained constructed wetland in an office building for
recycling and reusing the building's wastewater. The system,
designed by NC State's Halford House, is the first of its kind
in the US. Believing that water is a precious natural resource
that should not just be thrown away, House decided to create a
system that mimics nature in the purification and reuse of 1200
gallons of wastewater generated daily by the 60 employees who
work in the building. The system works like a wetland, using
soil plants and microbes to filter and treat the wastewater.
The treated wastewater is used to flush toilets in the building
and to irrigate the landscaping. Although it is not used for
drinking, House says all that is needed are a few more minor
steps and the treated water could safely flow out of the
building's taps.
http://www.gnet.org/Coldfusion/News_Page2.cfm?NewsID=13916
NEW INDUSTRY SECTOR RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING
EarthVision Environmental News
December 12, 2000
Are you interested in knowing what are the best practices for
environmental sustainability in manufacturing in over twenty
industry sectors? If so, then check the Industry Sectors
section of CleanerProduction.com for new web pages describing
the best Internet resources for pollution prevention, cleaner
production and sustainable development for each sector.
CleanerProduction.com's mission is to help companies make more
money while improving their environmental performance, and to
help governments and non-governmental organizations develop and
implement programs to promote sustainable business.
For more on the organization and its services, see
http://www.CleanerProduction.Com.
http://www.gnet.org/Coldfusion/News_Page2.cfm?NewsID=13772
CAR MANUFACTURER LAUNCHES THINK BEFORE YOU DRIVE CAMPAIGN
UK car manufacturer, KIA, has become the first motor company
to acknowledge the need to change attitudes to car use by
launching its environmental and social campaign, *Think Before
You Drive*. The campaign is designed to encourage individual
responsibility for driving patterns, and to promote integrated
transport solutions that reduce dependence on motoring. The
project involves four practical activities, which, it hopes,
will start to change attitudes amongst industry, consumers and
the media. *The motoring industry must take responsibility not
only for the products they sell but the lifestyle they promote,*
said KIA Cars (UK) Managing Director, Mark Quinn. *As a society
it is all of our individual responsibilities to look at how we
behave and the impacts that we have, small changes by many
people can make a huge difference. I hope our efforts make some
people think and, where possible, that it encourages them to
get out of their driving seat and onto their feet.*
http://www.edie.net/news/Archive/3585.html
UNIVERSITY USES LAKE TO RUN ITS COOLING SYSTEM
An innovative new system which uses a lake to cool campus
buildings at Cornell University uses less energy and gives
off fewer pollutants than conventional systems, say university
engineers. The new 60 million dollar Cornell lake source
cooling (LSC) installation pumps 5 degree Centigrade water
from a lake depth of 250 feet (76 metres) through seven heat
exchangers, where the lake water absorbs heat from a separate
and sealed water supply that is circulated to campus buildings.
Chilled water travels in a closed loop between the plant and
the campus, two and a half miles uphill. The system uses 4000
horsepower for 20,000 tons of cooling capacity, compared with
a total of 20,000 horsepower to supply 20,000 tons of cooling
used by the old system. The LSC system was developed to combat
rising energy costs and replace the university's conventional
refrigeration system that used chlorofluorocarbons. The
university expects to buy about 20 million fewer kilowatt-hours
of electricity per year for cooling which, combined with the
longer life-span of the system, will offset the high capital
outlay, say engineers. Although, the concept of using naturally
cold, deep water for cooling systems is not new, this is the
first to use a small freshwater lake.
http://www.edie.net/news/Archive/3572.html
ICELAND AIMS TO BE FIRST COUNTRY WITH HYDROGEN ENERGY ECONOMY
So far, most of the world's response to the challenge of
climate change has been just talk. But in Iceland, the
public and private sectors are beginning a quest to make
their country the first to be powered by an oil-free and
coal-free energy system. Scientists, politicians, and
business leaders have conspired to put into motion a grand
experiment that may end the country's -- and the world's --
reliance on fossil fuels forever. The island has committed
to becoming the world's first hydrogen economy over the next
30 years, reports environmental thinktank Worldwatch.
Currently dependent on imported oil for 38 per cent of its
national energy use, Iceland is focussing on hydrogen fuel
cell technology, particularly for its transport sector, where
it has outlined a gradual five-phase transition to hydrogen.
http://www.edie.net/news/Archive/3553.html
LOSS OF ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUPS COULD DEGRADE ENVIRONMENT
FURTHER
The rapid loss of languages and ecological knowledge in the
world's most biologically diverse regions could lead to
further environmental degradation, says a new WWF report.
There is a very significant overlap of the areas of richest
biodiversity of the world with high concentrations of distinct
cultures. The languages spoken by these indigenous and
traditional peoples are disappearing with increasing speed due
to globalisation of markets and communications, which promotes
dominant languages, says WWF. According to WWF, 90 per cent of
the world's 6000 remaining languages will be lost in the 21st
century, with the majority of these being languages spoken by
indigenous and traditional peoples. As these languages become
extinct, ecological knowledge, which is passed on orally and is
accumulated by generations of people surviving in and managing
their ecosystems, is also dying out, says the report.
Governments and the international community should support
indigenous and traditional peoples to strengthen their cultures
and societies and prevent the disappearance of traditional
ecological knowledge.
For more information, visit
http://www.panda.org/resources/publications/sustainability/indigenous3/eco_summary.htm
http://www.edie.net/news/Archive/3530.html
ONLINE SHOPPING MAY BE HURTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Source: Carnegie Mellon University
December 12, 2000
According to new research, the net effect of pointing and
clicking at an online merchant to buy a Christmas present
is not as harmless as it may seem. E-Commerce systems that
support online shopping may reduce the use of warehouses, but
they generally rely on a transportation system that is more
energy and pollution intensive, says a "Green Design" team at
Carnegie Mellon University. The team found E-Commerce orders
require more packaging, making the environmental impact of
packaging 2.5 times worse for E-Commerce shopping. Their
research also shows that E-Commerce orders for books sent
via air generate three pounds of carbon dioxide per book.
Fewer emissions result from walking to the local bookstore
for the same item. Although, online shoppers can save 30 to
50 per cent less than through traditional retail methods, the
net environmental impact may be worse, researchers said.
NEW WEBSITE MAKES IT EASIER TO BUY GREEN
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
December 13, 2000
A website that provides information for more than 600
environmentally friendly products and services was launched
recently as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program.
With the U.S. consuming approximately 25% of the world's
resources, while it represents only 5% of the population,
the database is one of several resources that the EPP program
has developed to assist government agencies in their purchase
of environmentally preferable products and services. The EPP
database includes more than 330 environmental standards and
guidelines developed by government agencies and independent
groups. More information on this program is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/epp/database.htm.
ANCIENT PEOPLE CAN TEACH MODERN FARMERS
Patricia Reaney, REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
November 10, 2000
Modern-day farmers struggling to grow food on soggy land
could learn lessons from native Americans who worked the
Amazon 400 years ago. Scientists have found evidence that
people who lived in the Amazon region of Baures near Brazil
400 years ago had transformed a seasonally-flooded savanna
into an area that could sustain large populations. Using
simple technology, the people of Baures applied their
knowledge of hydrology, soils, ecology and agriculture, and
converted much of the landscape into one huge aquatic farm.
*What they did was take what most agronomists would not
consider a rich environment and enhance the natural processes,
such as floods, to capture water early and hold it longer
during the dry season,* added Dr Clark Erickson, of the
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and
Anthropology.
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=8890
GROUPS TARGET POLLUTION PREVENTION IN FUTURE CHEMISTS
EarthVision Environmental News
December 15, 2000
Two scientific organizations are teaming up to promote
pollution prevention and advance the principles of "green
chemistry," with a special emphasis on training future
chemists. The goal of the collaborative efforts of the
American Chemical Society (ACS) and the Green Chemistry
Institute (GCI) is to introduce the idea that the work of
scientists should have a positive impact on the environment.
Additionally, the groups want to plant that idea into the
minds of chemistry students so when they leave school and
enter the workforce, they already understand how they can
prevent pollution says Daryle H. Busch, Ph.D., president of
the ACS. Under this alliance, GCI will operate independently
within the American Chemical Society, developing and promoting
green chemistry programs. ACS will provide financial and
organizational support while continuing to make green
chemistry a major focus of environmental programs within
the society.
http://www.gnet.org/Coldfusion/News_Page2.cfm?NewsID=13851
INDIAN STUDY GIVES NEW INSIGHT ON GLOBAL WARMING
Maria Abraham, REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
November 20, 2000
The increasing use of fertilisers could be a contributor to
global warming by decreasing oxygen and raising levels of
nitrous oxide gas in coastal waters, a three-year Indian
study has revealed. The research details an unusual increase
in the production of nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing
gas, over the Indian continental shelf. *At this point it cannot
be established whether this change is brought about by an
increased fertiliser run-off from land or a modified water
circulation and rainfall pattern," S.W.A. Naqvi, a scientist
at the National Institute of Oceanography, told Reuters.
Nitrous oxide in the sea or ocean is eventually released
into the atmosphere, where in the higher atmosphere layer
(stratosphere) it causes depletion of ozone, which shields the
earth from harmful ultra-violet radiation. The gas is known to
be over 200 times more potent than carbon dioxide in absorbing
infra red radiation which contributes significantly to the
*greenhouse effect* blamed for global warming.
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=9005
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
If everyone wrapped just three gifts in reused paper, enough
paper to cover 45,000 football fields would be saved. If
everyone sent one fewer card, 50,000 cubic yards of paper
would be saved. During the festive season, why not wrap your
gifts in recycled paper, go tree-free or send electronic
cards? It takes 60 percent less energy to make paper from
recycled materials than it does to manufacture it from virgin
wood pulp.
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Your Green Recipe
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
[This is your space. Please send in your questions, ideas or
views on practices that make you angry, or that you feel are
unsafe or harmful to the environment. It should be accompanied
either with your own suggestions or ideas for solutions
/alternatives to the problem, or you could have other readers
answer your query. Alternatives/solutions to everyday problems
that plague us all are particularly welcome. Submissions should
be about 50-100 words in length, and should include your contact
information (phone number, postal address, e-mail).]
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
MIG Features: India's Ecomark - Stuck in Limbo
Interview with Consumer Activist, N.G.Wagle
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
*Eco-friendly* is the buzzword for the environment-conscious
consumer of today. However, lack of information and ineffective
regulation have resulted in *greenwashing* - corporations
making misleading claims about the environmental benefits of
their products or organization. Vague and misleading claims
leave the consumer confused and distrustful of such labels.
Eco-labelling schemes -- which are voluntary, market-based
schemes -- have been implemented in some countries, with varied
degrees of success. In 1991, the Government of India instituted
the Ecomark scheme to help consumers identify products that have
a reduced environmental impact. Ten years on, few consumers are
aware of the existence of the scheme, and almost no products
bear the Ecomark label. Making India Green (MIG) spoke to
consumer activist, N.G.Wagle (NGW), about the status of Ecomark
scheme and the problems with its implementation.
MIG: Can you give a brief overview of the Ecomark scheme and
the method of implementation that was planned?
NGW: The Government of India (GOI) instituted in 1991 a scheme,
voluntary in nature, to label a basket of consumer products as
*environment friendly.* The basic objective of the scheme was
to encourage the consumption of such products through the award
of a distinguishing sign of an *Ecomark.*
The inherent principle of the Ecomark was to assign the
label to a product, which is made, used or disposed of in a way
that significantly reduces the harm it would otherwise cause to
the environment.
Ecolabelled products must also satisfy the quality,
performance and safety requirements laid down for the specific
product by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The norms for
eco-labelling are established by the Ecomark Technical
Committee of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB,
Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI).
BIS is the implementing authority for the Ecomark as
well as the ISI mark, which is a necessary adjunct.
MIG: What were the problems encountered during implementation?
NGW: Industry argument has all along been that the criteria for
eco-labelling are not relevant to Indian conditions, nor does
the scheme give any encouragement to improve technology. It
stifles innovation and freezes development of newer alternatives
to existing products. The setting-up of eco-criteria was said to
be a rushed exercise, *negative listing* of ingredients is
undesirable and there was too much emphasis on safety (which is
the job of other legislation/agencies).
The criteria, say industry spokespersons, are mostly
based on popular perceptions of environment safety and would
legitimise inferior products. Finally, the crux of the argument
was that brand equity would get less importance in the
marketplace. The argument ends with the line that the Ecomark
is inherently incompatible with rapid changes in the FMCG (fast
moving consumer goods) scene.
MIG: What is the present status of implementation of the scheme?
NGW: The first Ecomark was awarded some five years ago to a
Godrej product, *Ezee,* a liquid detergent for washing special
/delicate fabrics (such as silk and wool). The ownership of the
brand passed to Procter and Gamble, their strategic partner,
which had different business considerations from the parent
company and which were prompted by the formers multinational
policy.
Now a license has been granted to Madhya Bharat Paper
Ltd., Bilaspur (M.P.) for use of the Ecomark on two types of
writing and printing papers. In fact, in order to attract
applicants for the Ecomark, the M.P. Government sanctioned an
exemption of 50 per cent in the consent/renewal of consent fee
to all industries awarded with the mark.
Similar fiscal concessions and financial incentives were
recommended by the CPCB to popularise the scheme. Interactive
meetings with industry bodies like FICCI and CII were held, but
to no avail.
Yet, out of the 14 product categories across which
eco-criteria have been formulated for a few hundreds of consumer
goods, after years of effort by representatives of the industry,
research laboratories, technical experts and consumer
organisations, only two within a single category (paper) sought
and got the Ecomark.
MIG: What is the level of awareness about the scheme among
ordinary consumers in India?
NGW: Ordinary consumers are hardly aware of the Ecomark or the
concept itself. Even the ISI mark took off only when there was
an element of compulsion as in the case of food colours and
food additives, condensed milk and baby milk powder, where
health and safety are concerned. Or, in the buying policy of
government indenting agencies, where ISI marked products were
given preference. Household electrical appliances, domestic
pressure stoves are some items brought under state orders for
mandatory marking but enforcement is lax. BIS response to
failures of ISI marked products bought by consumers is
lukewarm. Hence, the mark does not inspire confidence with
consumers who are cynical about official certification for
reasons known to all.
Industry opines that the Indian consumer is more
driven by price considerations and brand loyalty rather than
the esoteric concept and personal conviction to save the
environment.
MIG: What do you feel, should be done to aid implementation of
the Ecomark?
NGW: The government, central and state, quasi-government bodies
and other local institutions, which constitute nearly 80 per
cent of buyers of goods, should set an example by insisting on
eco-products giving a price and priority preference to them. If
the government and other state institutions do not have faith
in certified goods, be they ISI or Ecomarked, then the common
consumer too will not choose such products.
The industry puts a scare that eco-labelled products
will cost more and hence, consumers will shift to others
(unlabelled), particularly in price-sensitive ones. The
alternative is compulsion, which in the present scenario of
liberalisation, is not acceptable.
MIG: How much does consumer education and awareness contribute
to the success or failure of such labelling schemes?
NGW: Consumer education is part of the school syllabus in
higher classes. Children should be taught about the
environmental impact of products and processes just as the
effects of leaded fuel and thin plastics were focused on in
the media and in some educational institutions. The media has
a real role to play to spread the message of environmental
safety. GOI has already attempted to enhance awareness of the
Ecomark in India through a private publication, WISTA ECOMARK,
which commissioned six (bimonthly) issues from April 1999 and
circulated about 600 copies to Central and State governments,
NGOs, consultants, research institutes, industries and
consumer organisations and some overseas. I do not think that
this made a significant impact in diffusing information or
creating public awareness.
N.G.Wagle, a chemical technologist, is the past chairman of the
Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) and member of its
managing committee. He edits the monthly journal, KEEMAT, of
CGSI. He is also Vice-President of the Association of Consumers
Action on Safety and Health (ACASH) and represents it on the
Ecomark Technical Committee.
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
For more resources, articles and downloadable files
on the Ecomark and other green consumer issues,
visit us online: http://www.makingindiagreen.com
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
The trend in having coffee or tea "on the move" has generated
increased waste in the form of paper, plastic and styrofoam
cups into our municipal waste stream. Buy a thermos mug or
ceramic mug and keep one at work and/or in the car. Everytime
you buy tea or coffee, use that mug!
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Article: *Environmentally Friendly* Claims Not
Consumer Friendly
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
*Environmentally Friendly* Claims Not Consumer Friendly,
Study Finds. Multinationals called on to adopt uniform *green*
labelling
Consumers are still finding environmental labels on common
household products confusing and misleading, according to a
10-country study released by Consumers International, the
global federation of 250 consumer organisations in 111
countries.
In the report, *Green claims: Environmental claims on products
and packaging in the shops: An international study,* consumer
organisations from the 10 participating countries - Australia,
Austria, Belgium, China HKSAR, Denmark, Germany, The
Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States
- compared how green labelling on products such as toilet
rolls, paints, detergents and kitchen appliances, compared with
an international Standard (ISO 14021) agreed to by the
International Standards Organisation in September 1999. The
European Commission and the German and Dutch governments
funded the Consumers International study.
That voluntary *self-declared environmental claims* standard
bans:
Vague or misleading claims. These apply to such claims as
*environmentally friendly*, which was found on numerous
products, including stain-removing aerosols, washing powders
and toilet tissues. *Non-polluting* is another popular phrase,
applied to everything from packaging on a Belgian sesame bar
to UK flour.
Claims of achieving sustainability, such as *produced from
sustained yield management forest* or *sustainable
materials*. Greeting cards in Australia, firelighters in
Germany and doors in the UK all carry such wording.
Claims that can be misinterpreted, such as *wrapped in
biodegradable paper* on a brand of Austrian toilet paper.
This is technically true, since paper is biodegradable, but
likely to be misinterpreted, since the wrapper is likely to
end up in a landfill, where biodegradability would be a
disadvantage.
The Standard also lists and defines a number of terms
commonly used in environmental claims. These include:
compostable, degradable, recycled content, recyclable,
reusable and refillable.
*Green claims* marks the first time any organisation has
attempted to apply the new Standard to the types of
environmental claims that are currently found in international
markets.
**While many good and useful claims are being made, it is
still clear there is a long way to go in ensuring shoppers
are adequately informed about the environmental impact of
the products they buy,** said Anna Fielder, Director of
Consumers International's Office for Developed and Transition
Economies.
The National Consumer Council (NCC) in the UK, which wrote and
researched the report, is calling on major consumer product
multinationals to lead the way in developing clear and
meaningful environmental labels.
**Consumers rely on information and if that information is
misleading or confusing, it prevents them from making informed
choices,** said Anna Bradley, NCC's Director. Ms Bradley points
out that a small number of multinationals dominate the market
where most of the green claims proliferate - toiletries,
detergents and household paper.
**If these companies lead the way and adopt the new ISO
standard,** she said, **the incidence of misleading claims
could be substantially reduced worldwide.**
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Green claims is the fourth part of a series produced under
the auspices of the Consumers International project entitled
*Support to Consumer Organisations in Promoting Sustainable
Consumption*. Links to the series can be found on the resources
page at http://www.makingindiagreen.com
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
Stop using toxic pesticides as lice-removal medicines on
your children! Here's an inexpensive, natural, alternative
medicine formula that mixes with your favorite shampoo.
Check it out at: http://hop.clickbank.net/?munchie/vickier
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Green Tips: Making compost at home
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Here's a recipe for turning all those vegetable scraps
into useful manure, plus it helps save landfill space.
*Making compost at home*
A good pile of compost has five primary ingredients: organic
materials (leaves, vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds,
and egg shells.), nitrogen-rich materials (grass trimmings and
fresh plant clippings), bacteria, moisture and oxygen.
A variety of materials will result in compost with a higher
nutrient content. Meat, bones, grease, fat and oils should not
be included. The simplest way to make a small household-size
compost is to make a pile of green wastes, balancing the
amounts of green (fresh) and brown (dead) materials. It is
important to add kitchen scraps regularly. Chopping or cutting
everything into small pieces helps to speed decomposition.
It is important to allow plenty of oxygen to circulate through
your compost by regularly turning your pile over. When your
compost pile is fully decomposed, mix it in with the soil on
your farm or in your garden.
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
Every Minute...
Worldwide, 50 people died of pesticide poisioning.
Source: Worldwatch Institute
«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»^«»
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Contact Details
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Priya F. Shah, Editor
mailto:Priya@makingindiagreen.com
http://www.makingindiagreen.com
Plot No 45, Lane G, Sector 8,
Vashi, Navi Mumbai - 400 703,
Maharastra, India
9122-7826746
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Subscriptions to this ezine are free.
MAKING INDIA GREEN is published on the first of every month.
Feel free to forward this ezine to anyone you think might
enjoy it.
Subscribe: mailto:makingindiagreen-subscribe@listbot.com
or join online at:http://makingindiagreen.listbot.com/
Unsubscribe: mailto:makingindiagreen-unsubscribe@listbot.com
We welcome article submissions on topics relevant to the
theme of this newsletter. For information on article
submissions, mailto:Priya@makingindiagreen.com with
"Article Info" in the subject line.
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°^«°»^«°
GET PAID TO SURF, chat, receive e-mail, search,
click on links, or do what you normally do online.
Join for free and get your own website at:
http://www.ghostsurfers.com/priyashah
«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°
Thanks for reading this issue.
For more resources and information on green consumer issues,
visit us online: http://www.makingindiagreen.com