Eco-rate for Manufacturers & Vendors
Our goal
Eco-rate was developed to better assist people in their search for products that are not only environmentally-sound, but also economically-feasible.
Eco-rate is committed to providing consumers with meaningful product information that supports a strategic approach to product evaluation and comparison. Our intention is to allow consumers to assess the quality of a product based on what is most important to them, their families and their world.
We are also committed to presenting information about products, manufacturing processes and committments to environmental stewardship accurately. We are continually conducting quality assurance measures to ensure our data is correct. If you would like us to add or remedy information about your product(s) and/or company, please contact us and we will respond to your request immediately.
Manufacturer Environmental Stewardship
Our Environmental Impact rating of a product includes, amongst other factors, where the product is made and if and how its manufacturer has committed to environmental stewardship. We obtain information on manufacturer environmental stewardship from manufacturer and/or managing corporate websites.
Commitments to environmental stewardship that earn "points" in our eyes include the following:
Corporate Responsibility
- Corporate Environmental Policy: product's managing corporation demonstrates the establishment and execution of a corporate environmental policy consistent with ISO 14001 or equivalent.
- Environmental Management System for Manufacturing: product's managing corporation applies an environmental management system for their operational manufacturing facility/facilities that meet or exceed ISO 14001, European EMAS, US EPA Performance Track, or equivalent requirements.
- Sustainability Report: product's managing corporation publishes an annual corporate report consistent with U.S. EPA Performance Track or Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines or equivalent.
Efficient & Environmentally-Considerate Manufacturing & Business Operations
Product's managing corporation and/or manufacturer commit to:
- Employee awareness of environmental stewardship
- Recycling and reuse of material
- Product packaging that contains recycled material and can be recycled or reused
- Implementation of energy- and water-efficient products and practices
- Use of renewable energies
- Reduction of landfill waste
- Partnerships with/a commitment to other organizations that support and encourage environmental stewardship
Efficient Product Line
Toxicity
- Manufacturer commits to the elimination of substances in their products and manufacturing processes that are toxic and/or harmful to human health and the natural environment.
Product End-of-Life Design & Management
- Product Design for End-of-Life: manufacturer designs products to be easily dismantled so they can be reused or recycled in an efficient and effective manner.
- Product Take-Back Service: product's managing corporation and/or manufacturer has a take-back or recycling service that meets US EPA environmental standards or equivalent.
Manufacturing Location
- The location of the product's manufacturing facility is near target consumers/end-users (When a user enters their Zip Code, it is automatically matched with the manufacturing location of the product to produce a distance between manufacturing location and end-user, in miles. The default user location is the center of the U.S.).
Environmental Stewardship Program Development
If you are interested in developing or refining your company's environmental stewardship program, please contact Eco-innovations by clicking here.
Questions? Feedback?
Eco-rate is an evolving project that relies on community feedback for its continued success. Share your thoughts with us by visiting the Eco-rate Forum.
We also welcome you to contact us with questions.
Advertising with us
If you are interested in advertising opportunties with Eco-rate, please contact Colby Self.
