From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Environmentally friendly (eco-friendly and nature friendly) are synonyms used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.[1] To make consumers aware, environmentally friendly goods and services are often marked with eco-labels. But because there is no single international standard for this concept, the International Organization for Standardization considers such labels too vague to be meaningful.[2]
[edit] Regional variants[edit] EuropeProducts located in members of the European Union can use the EU's Eco-label pending the EU's approval.[3] EMAS is another EU label[4] that signifies whether an organization management is green as opposed to the product.[5] Germany also uses the Blue Angel, based on Germany's standards.[6] [edit] North AmericaIn the United States, environmental marketing claims require caution. Ambiguous titles such as environmentally friendly can be confusing without a specific definition; some regulators are providing guidance.[7] The United States Environmental Protection Agency has deemed this language useless in determining whether a product is truly "green".[2] In Canada, one label is that of the Environmental Choice Program.[6] Created in 1988,[8] only products approved by the program are allowed to display the label.[9] [edit] OceaniaThe Energy Rating Label is a Type III label[10][11] that provides information on "energy service per unit of energy consumption".[12] It was first created in 1986, but negotiations led to a redesign in 2000.[13] [edit] InternationalEnergy Star is a program with a primary goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.[14] Energy Star has different sections for different nations or areas, including the United States,[15] the European Union [16] and Australia.[17] [edit] China[edit] Methods[edit] Renewable clean powerThere are several environmentally friendly, relatively non-polluting means of generating electricity; namely geothermal power, hydro power, wind power, solar power, tidal power and wave power. However, whether or not one of these causes significant pollution, there are other considerations that need to be taken into account when deciding if a generation source is environmentally friendly. Among these are: How much water does a given method use and take out of the fresh water resources of (a nation, a region, etc.)? How much land, especially agricultural land, is compromised or used up in this method? How much wildlife habitat is compromised or used up? Are traditional uses affected for local indigenous peoples? What is the footprint of the generating plant? What is the footprint of the distribution/transmission method? [edit] Green cleaningMany of the chemicals inside our domestic and commercial cleaning products we use each day can harm the environment, our children and ourselves. Green cleaning is better for the environment, ourselves and can help consumers save money. [edit] Pest controlIntegrated pest management is regarded as a more environmentally friendly form of pest control than traditional pesticides,[18][19] as its goal is to reduce pesticide use to a minimum by using a variety of less impactive means, with pesticides only as the last resort. Biological pest control is another form of control considered by many experts to be environmentally friendly.[20] [edit] Waste managementRecycling and composting are viewed as more environmentally friendly forms of waste management than traditional burying or burning practices.[21] The Edmonton Composting Facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in the largest composting facility in the world; representing 35% of Canada's centralized composting capacity.[22] The $100-million co-composter results in Edmonton recycling 65% of its residential waste.[22] [edit] See also[edit] References
[edit] External links
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