«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»^«°»«°»^«°»^«°» 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