Getting Down and Dirty with Recycling
You can find some really good deals on various types of natural, organic products. They may make any number of claims towards being environmentally friendly, such as USDA Certified! Totally organic! And All Natural! You may feel elated knowing you are doing your part to save the environment, however in the back of you mind, do you wonder if what you are buying really is what it says it is? Do you know the eco-lingo? Here is your chance to catch up on your eco-lingo.
Organic - When the label boasts Organic, this tells you that the manufacture is claiming that it is a product that was grown while not using chemicals such as pesticides or fertilizers. On the other hand it could be a product that is made from organic plant processing. For instance, organic fabrics are made of materials such as cotton that includes no chemicals while growing or that organic food includes no fertilizers or pesticides while growing and processing. In other words, there are no chemicals used in organic farming.
Organic - When a label claims organic, its producer is making the claim that the product is grown organically, without the use harmful chemicals found in fertilizers and pesticides or that it is manufactured using organic produce. Organic foods are grown without the use of toxic fertilize or pesticide, while organic fabrics are made of organically grown materials, such as cotton. Keep in mind that organic farming does not include the use of chemicals.
USDA Certified - The United States Department of Agriculture or USDA have programs designed to reassure consumers that these products coincide with the claims of a manufacturer. For instance, this department only certifies manufacturers who avoid the practice of including chemical fertilizers and pesticides. There are similar organizations in other countries that assure their consumers of the same. In other words, when you see USDA Certified you can rest assured that the product is produced organically.
Plastic: Plastic containers are almost always accepted by recycling centers and curbside programs. There should be a SPI or Society of the Plastics Industry code, which indicates the amount of resin in plastic on the bottom of the container, inside the triple arrow symbol. Most often you will find numbers 1 or 2 there. The first are clear plastics, such as medicine or soda bottles, although they may be tinted, they are transparent. The second are HDPE or high-density polyethylene such as water and milk jugs. These are commonly recycled, since recycling centers can bale enough to sell easily. Other types of plastics are not so common. Number 3 are PVC or poly vinyl chloride plastics such as shower curtains and piping. Number 4 are LDPE or low-density polyethylene such as plastic grocery bags. Polypropylene food container such as butter or yogurt containers and outdoor carpeting fall under number 5. Polystyrene are plastic utensils and cups belong to number 6, and number 7 means “other”, which means they are blends of various plastics and hard to recycle. You can choose other plastic packaging if your recycle center does not take any particular type of SPI codes, while choosing the types they do when shopping.
Natural on the product label opens up a world of difference in interpreting the creativity of manufacturers. Although there are rules and regulations concerning the labeling of organic, there are no concrete rules as to what is or is not permitted with natural products. It could mean just about anything to anyone. It could mean that some of the ingredients of a product are of a natural source or that the ingredients are not processed. It could even mean a manufacture is trying to pull a fast one on you, hoping you chose their product rather than that of a competitor. Just keep in mind that a label that claims natural should be questioned as to the intent of the manufacturer and its motivation.
All natural is a shady area and can mean just about anything. The manufacturers know this and then profit from your uncertainty. It is tricky since customers can only assume what may be in the items they purchase that are all natural. Could it be healthy? Could it be unprocessed? Could it be non-allergen? Could it be nutritious? We cannot really be sure, since it could be anything the customer wants it to be. Remember to check the labels list of ingredients if you are looking for something like low salt, sugar free or preservative free, do not ever just assume something is all natural. The end result is that when you search for a particular product whether it is low in fat, sugar, sodium or preservatives, you need to read the list of ingredients before you merely assume that it is all natural.
You will know what to look for by educating yourself and you will not be tricked.
Other Related Posts
« Are You Looking For Timeshare Vacation? | Home | Carry More: Military Pouches »
Leave a Comment