Products that come from the environment and return back to nature through natural decomposition and break down into smaller components without the help of any outside elements are biodegradable. Meanwhile, biodegradable products are better alternatives for the environment, wallet and are socially conscious. With natural elements present in the atmosphere like moisture, heat, and bacteria, the biodegradable products will undergo a natural decomposition process aiding in breaking down into smaller material.

Different biodegradable products will take time to break down depending on what they’re made of. For example, a cotton t-shirt takes 2-5 months to biodegrade while biodegradable plastics take three to six months to decompose completely. These examples show the wide range of decomposition times in biodegradable products, it highlights the importance in choosing materials that break down more quickly to reduce other environmental impact.

Compostable refers to a material that can break down with the help of microorganisms in a controlled environment. By controlled environment, it means a carefully managed condition such as air, moisture and temperature. This makes sure the process is faster with organic matter, smells less and reduces pests. This leaves us with the production of nutrient-rich soil.

Usually these materials are made from plant-based, naturally-present or recycled objects like paper, cardboard etc. Once they’re fully decomposed, they disappear into the soil. Within 24 hours to a year is all it takes. Depending on how many times they are stirred and the size of the pile of soil, the time frame changes accordingly.

Eco-friendly products can be in a variety of sectors like products, services, regulations, guidelines and policies to produce little to no harm to the environment. It’s also commonly used as the end of a life cycle in order to protect the ecosystem around it and causes no further crucial devastations to the fragile environment. Products usually made for this purpose are also termed as environmentally friendly. Such as tote bags crafted from jute, organic cotton and hemp are a great eco-friendly and stylish accessory, they last long and are durable while being repurposed and reduce waste and single use plastic bags ending up in landfills. They can be washable and reused for a long period of time as they’re made from renewable resources.

Sustainable is created without causing harm to the environment and adheres to society and individuals on a more economical platform. Sustainable products use resources in an efficient and responsible manner making them environmentally friendly, use fair trade and services that help decrease environmental damage and pollution. This practice helps in the long term for generations to come while taking into account the three important components. For example, reusable bamboo utensils are great alternatives for plastic utensils, they retain heat well, are convenient to carry with straws and chopsticks in cutlery forms while saying no to single use plastic cutleries while eating out. They’re usually also carried in recycled packaging, bamboo are biodegradable in nature and overall reduce the environmental impact. They complete the circle for being economical too.

Recycle products contain materials that should be collected after its use and processed to be repurposed into new things at facilities rather than being discarded on their own. This applies to materials like plastic, paper, glass and metal. New products can be made from melting plastic to another bottle or containers, paper can be turned into cards, or paper again or even packaging boxes, as for glass can be turned into decoration purposes or in food containers and even in construction materials etc. This reduces the build up of waste, saves energy to conserve other resources from being exploited unnecessarily or worse ending up in the landfill after just a single use.

Forest Stewardship Council is a certification awarded to brands and products that are sourced from responsibility-managed forests. The kind of wood utilized in a brand makes sure that it does not come from any exploitative or harms done to endangered species. By choosing FSC-certified products, consumers support the preservation of forests and sustainable business practices as a form of contribution for the environment.

Benefit Corporation is certified to businesses that meet strict social and environmental performance standards. This certification ensures that the company's commitment is in balancing their fair profit and purpose towards their workers, communities and the environment. After undergoing a thorough assessment for their practices, transparency and their overall impact, businesses are awarded the B-Corp certification for prioritizing social and environmental responsibility with financial success.

The United States Department of Agriculture Organic certification is responsible for overlooking food and agricultural products ensuring there is no use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers or genetic engineering. Companies with this certification are awarded for passing their strict organic standards that are healthy and safe for consumers who choose to be environmentally-friendly when purchasing organic labeled products.

Global Organic Textile Standard is provided to textile manufacturers whose production of organic fibers meet the international standards that assess the entire textile supply chain, from the agricultural grounds to the finished product. These standards make sure that the products contain 95% organic materials and no harmful chemicals were used in the manufacturing process.

Businesses certified with GOTS meet two main criteria. The first criteria is the environmental criteria that is responsible in regulating the safe use of toxic chemicals and heavy metals throughout the production process including treating wastewater and the use of eco-friendly packaging materials. The second criteria is the social component which is responsible for avoiding child labour and any forms of forced labor that don’t comply with the International Labor Organisation. Any organization with this standard emphasizes safe and hygienic working conditions for its laborers.

Overall, GOTS certification ensures that your organization is both environmentally sound and socially ethical.

Fair Trade certifications are awarded to products that are ethically sourced and produced with providing fair wages and safe working conditions specifically from developing countries. This certification is mostly required in industries that use the following products- coffee, cocoa, tea and other handicrafts. Consumers who purchase products with this certification support workers’ rights, aid in reducing poverty and overall promote more sustainable global supply chains.

The OEKO TEX certification is a globally recognised standard in the textile industry which is free from harmful chemicals during the production process. It’s tested free of 350 toxic chemicals on the component of the product, fabric, thread to the accessories. This certification also extended to safe fair labor practices and working conditions to promote sustainable manufacturing processes, easy waste management and responsible use of resources. Consumers who purchase this share holistic values and support sustainable aspects of both environmental factors and human-ecological safety measures through the brand.

Fair Trade Certified is developed by Fair Trade USA, who work on safe working practices and conditions for farmers, workers, and their families adhering to human welfare policies. This badge is only awarded to brands that work in accordance to protecting their laborers and worker’s rights. Brands with this certification go through any assessment of negligence of workers, fair timing so as to not overwork their workers and more importantly are not subjected to any form of ill treatment or are exploited. Consumers who share similar values would seek brands with this certification in helping with a positive work environment for workers and protecting their rights.

While fair trade focuses solely on the protection of workers and their rights, safe and fair trade works on the fair compensation, health conditions of the workers are protected and feel heard by the company. Companies safe-guard their workers on their health benefits, pay, no discrimination for their race or gender or forced labor. This badge also helps in consumers supporting brands that give importance to their worker’s physiological, emotional and psychological needs including fair working hours and gives importance to resting period of their workers while working towards improving their workers’ wellbeing and rights.

Cruelty free items focuses on not using any form of animal-testing while vegan products contain no animal-derivatives, these terms though used together do not contain the same meaning and may not necessarily mean the same thing in the products. Cruelty free products focus on animal welfare, and the impact on the environment and health. One can be vegan but not be cruelty-free if tested on animals, something could have avoided being tested yet contains some form of animal-byproduct. Brands with this certification and label have gone through many policies and active campaigns in fighting for animal protection from commercial purposes.

Sustainably harvested wood is wood that was produced in a well-protected ecological environment and carries cultural characteristics from forests that are sustainably managed, not harmful to its ecosystem, wildlife with long term health of the environment. Wood is renewable, carbon-neutral and has lower environmental impact compared to other wood alternatives. It’s manufactured to be versatile and reusable in furniture, construction industry, and even used for paper and fuel. Sustainably sourced wood can only be classified by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) which will assess whether the manufacturing process is ethically maintained and if the trees taken are replaced.

Bamboo known as ‘green steel’ is a fast growing plant that beats most woods on the planet. As opposed to other common woods which take much longer to grow, the harvesting period for bamboo is considerably shorter. Additionally, bamboo requires little to minimal water without the need of pesticides while removing the need for replanting. They’re ecofriendly due to their strong root system which prevents soil erosion. The re-harvesting process only takes 3-5 years using one bamboo shooter which is 50-100 years as for paper pulp trees. Bamboo grows significantly fast up to 9 inches per day, they tower over 100 feet during a season. With great qualities like rapid growth, minimal water and pesticide makes bamboo the perfect low-maintance alternative for traditional wood.

Cork is made from cork oak trees that have the unique ability to regenerate its bark every 9-12 years. As compared to wood that is chopped down completely. 9-10 years might seem like a lot, but it's the same tree that is being reharvested multiple times in its 200 years plus lifespan. The production of cork uses minimal energy consumption, which in turn produces low carbon emission into the environment. Instead of emitting, cork trees actually absorb carbon dioxide and reduce greenhouse gas levels. This makes cork one of the most biodiverse forests. Their forests are equally responsible for being a safe space for countless plant and animal species, responsible for balance in the ecosystem and continuing to preserve the natural environment around them.

Cork naturals are naturally water and moisture resistant due to their hydrophobic substance present in their cellular structure called suberin, which prevents water from being absorbed. This quality is resistant to the growth of mold and mildew in their wood. They trap the air, heat and cancels noise out. They’re also highly insulated making them the ideal choice for construction and industrial purposes.

Hemp belongs to a strain of the cannabis sativa species. Unlike mairjuana, hemp contains minimal amounts of the psychoactive compounds, THC, which is non-toxic in nature. This fast-growing plant is grown in different climates with less maintenance in water and pesticides and ready to harvest in a few months. Hemp is popular for its fiber in the textile industry while their seeds are used for extracting oil and food products for it’s rich in pain-relieving properties.

Unlike cotton, hemp is more durable and three times stronger and is recognised for it’s strength and longevity. Once weaved either alone or with other fibers, it transforms from a touch canvas to a silkiest gauze adaptable to different colors and textures. Hemp in itself is naturally glossier than other materials. Textiles made from hemp are breathable and carry moisture-wicking properties and are made into garments that require good ventilation and moisture control.

rPET stands for recycled polyethylene terephthalate. It is a type of plastic that is created by recycling PET plastic, commonly used in items like plastic bottles and packaging materials. This process of making plastic involves the collection of plastic items, separating the PET materials from other non-plastic and is purified. This compressed material is later melted down, filtered for any more contaminants to create pellets that are later sent for manufacturing these into new products like fibers, yarns, even fabrics for packaging materials. This material can be recycled multiple times, making it a very sustainable option for plastic.

Linen is naturally produced from a flax plant that uses minimal water and is low-maintenance, shorter growth cycle for 100 days, making it environmentally friendly from cotton for brands that use it. Linen is a biodegradable fabric and uses less energy to manufacture. It is a renewable resource from other textile fabrics.

Cotton is naturally harvested from cotton plants called gossypium. They’re lush in warm and tropical regions across the world and produce fluffy white fibers called bolls that are processed into yarn or thread for textile and fabric. Cotton is easily bio-degradable, and doesn’t contribute to the pollution. Moreover, they can regenerate and help nourish the soil for long-term health. They last long for the quality in making it comfortable and moisture-absorbant, best used in bedding and clothing by brands in this industry. These qualities level-up in the textile industry for cotton whilst making it eco-friendly for these attributions.

Soy ink is oil-based derivative from soybeans and is an eco-friendly alternative for petroleum-based and other harmful oil ink. Soybeans itself are a renewable resource for the environment as they’re used for multiple purposes and products, and the soy ink contains fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than regular ink, this is especially important for the workers who are directly involved in the production of it and is also easier to remove in the paper recycling process. Brands that use soy ink cover a very eco-friendly purpose to give more importance from not only the production but also think ahead of post-consumer waste too to make it easier for others.

Unlike biodegradable packaging that requires a controlled environment and conditions, compostable packaging requires natural sources to decompose leaving behind no toxic residue in its environment. Rather, composting is a natural process from its organic content. This progress is helped by microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and other enzymes in the nutrient-rich soil. This controlled environment is made possible for the microorganisms through conditions like aeration, moisture in the environment, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, the temperature, pH level, particle size of the discarded material, and the microbial inoculation. Depending on the compostable materials, the duration can be 6 to 12 weeks. Typically the compostable packaging can include starch, cellulose, soy protein, sugar cane, corn or potato starch and wood pulp.

Recycled packaging is sourced from materials that are made of recycled contents from post-consumer or post-industrial waste. Companies with this sort of packaging are environmentally-friendly with their packaging options while actively reducing the use of virgin materials. Paper, cardboard, plastic to name a few are given importance while protecting the preservation of natural resources as an alternative. Consumers are well-aware of the hazardous materials to avoid for the environment, hence the growing demand for recycled materials and packaging.

Organic products are free of any synthetic chemicals in the production process, this includes chemicals like pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. It’s made from a natural method in order to safe-guard the soil health, the fragile biodiversity and following a sustainable process, making it great for the environment and our well-being.

Though it’s free of any chemicals, organic producers use ethical farming practices like biological pest control, crop rotation and using traditional fertilizer like compost and manure to help and maintain the pH balance and the fertility of the nutrient-rich soil. Another term often used in this context is that genetically modified organisms (GMO) are avoided in organic farming. Rather, the organic farmers control their weeds, cover cropping that is not intended to produce anything while preserving the soil from eroding and maintaining the moisture.

Parabens are the ‘synthetics’ additives commonly used in cosmetic products and hygiene products. They act as preservatives, in extending the shelf life from building up of bacterias. Parabens are harmful to hormonal balance of the body by mimicking estrogen which plays a major role in physiological processes could affect the reproductive health, thyroid functioning, and increased risk to types of cancer. They can be allergic and irritating to sensitive skin and other skin conditions. Although their concentration in commercial products may be less, the repeated exposure can still be hazardous on the skin.

Sulfate is a foaming agent for lathering in soap, shampoos, cleansers and body wash. They help in removing dirt, grease build ups on the skin and hair for hygiene purposes. While they are extremely effective in removing these build-ups, they also end up stripping away the natural oils our body produces to keep our skin and scalp hydrated. This can lead to dry skin and dry scalp which can further trigger dandruff and dry skin to worse eczema and dermatitis but also trigger allergic reactions and brittle and frizzy hair. Without the skin’s natural barrier, the skin is exposed to other irritants and allergens.

Phthalates are the artificial chemical compounds used in the production of cosmetics and plastics, etc. They can be found in vinyl flooring, shower curtains, medical gadgets and even in moisturizers and scents for their adhesion properties. Most often, they’re plasticizers to make plastics more flexible, durable and transparent while improving the properties of plastic. However, phthalates are another compound that could disrupt the balance of hormonal health and interfere in the body's endocrine system. This can lead to reproductive disorders, like PCOS that are long-term affects on your health. With increased exposure to phthalates, there is high risk of asthma and other respiratory symptoms too.