Our Product Rating System Explained
Buying ‘green’ is complicated. Often products that sound eco-friendly aren’t in practice, others may have hidden eco benefits that are not obvious, and it can be difficult to know how they stack up against buying the usual products you may be familiar with.
Our innovative rating system is designed to help you make informed decisions by making it easy to judge a product against a standard or typical product that is directly comparable and tell you why we feel it is better for the environment.
We always aim to be honest. Some b2b product areas still don’t have great eco alternatives and we fully acknowledge that the very nature of some essential products makes it hard for them to be considered truly ‘green’ – for example, single use first aid or disposable gloves.
You can view our video explaining our rating system, or read more below:
Recycled Plastic
Products made from recycled content plastic colour coded to signify 100% (Green icon) Greater than 50% (Orange icon) and less than 50% (Brown icon)
Vegan
Denotes products that are vegan does not contain any animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients
Recycled Content
Products and/or packaging made from recycled content 100% (Green icon) Greater than 50% (Orange icon) and less than 50% (Brown icon)
Cruelty Free
A product and its ingredients which are not tested on animals
Reduced Waste
Products which employ processes that reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, that conserve and recover all resources, and do not burn or bury them
Plastic Free
This icon denotes that both product and packaging is free from plastics
Natural
Utilising natural materials that allow a product to be composted without the need for energy intensive recycling and are free from potentially toxic manmade substances. Colour coded to signify 100% natural product (Green icon), part natural product (Orange icon).
Plant Based
Products that are made entirely from plants and are completely free of all animal products
Compostable
Materials that can be composted saving the need for energy intensive recycling and are free from toxic substances. Colour coded to signify part compostability e.g. cap or lid only. 100% compostable (Green icon), part compostable (Orange icon).
Non Toxic
Products that don't contain ingredients that have been linked to toxic responses in humans
Biodegradable
A product or material that is capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms and thereby avoiding pollution. Colour coded to signify 100% biodegradable product (Green icon), part biodegradable product (Orange icon).
Refills Available
A container that can be re-used, the purchase of a refillable product creates 70% less CO2 emissions, uses 60% less energy and 45% less water than if you bought a brand new bottle
Carbon Neutral
Signifies a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions during production and/or transportation of the product
Recyclable
Products made from materials that are widely recycled in the UK e.g. cardboard, paper and certain plastics
Made In UK
Products made locally in the UK that stimulate local economies, promote potentially shorter supply chains and lower carbon emissions from transportation
Recyclable Packaging
Packaging made from virgin materials which can be widely recycled in UK e.g. cardboard, paper and certain plastics
FSC Certified
Confirms that wooden products/materials come from responsibly managed forests that can provide environmental, social and economic benefits
Fair Trade
This icon confirms that the trade between companies in developed countries and producers in developing countries was equitable and fair prices were paid
Reused Waste
Using an upcycled waste material to make a product or packaging e.g. utilising agricultural waste to make paper
Plastic Bottles Recycled
Denotes the specific number of plastic milk bottles used in the manufacture of the product and which have been diverted from landfill
Reusable
Products that can be used multiple times for the same purpose, cutting the energy usage required to manufacture replacements
Eco Credentials
Shows how "eco" a product is. This score (out of 5) will rate environmental impact of production and usage to end of life disposal. Higher score reflects a lower negative impact
Responsible Manufacturing
Products produced in a way that minimizes environmental impacts and takes social. responsibility for employees, the community, and. consumers throughout a product's life cycle
Performance
A score out of 5 indicates the performance of the product in comparison with Non Eco alternatives
Chemical Free
A product or material that has been produced without the use of artificial man made chemicals