Environmental Impact Rating

Our Environmental Impact Rating is quantified primarily in terms of natural resources consumed, waste generated or diverted, and toxins released as a result of a product’s manufacture, use and disposal. The rating also factors-in the distance a product must travel from its manufacturer to its end-user.

The rating is formulated according to a product’s impact on the environment relative to other comparable products within a given category.

The higher the Environmental Impact Rating, the lesser the product's impact is on the environment. Factors of analysis include the following:

Manufacturer Environmental Stewardship

► Corporate Environmental Policy: product's managing corporation demonstrates the execution of a corporate environmental policy consistent with ISO 14001 (click here for details on ISO 14001 certification).

► Environmental Management System for Manufacturing: product's managing corporation applies an environmental management system for their manufacturing 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; implementation of energy- and water-efficient products and practices; use of renewable energies; reduction of landfill waste; recycling and reuse of material; product packaging that contains recycled material and can be recycled or reused; demonstrates a commitment to organizations that support and encourage environmental stewardship.

Efficiency

► Product is energy- and/or water-efficient.

► Product contains recycled content.

► Product meets ENERGY STAR standards.

► Product meets EPA Water Sense standards.

► Product meets EPEAT standards.

► Product is eligible for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits.

Toxicity

► Product is non-toxic.

► Product's manufacturer commits to the elimination or timely phase-out of substances placed 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: product is designed to be easily dismantled so it can be reused or recycled in an efficient and effective manner.

► 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

► Product is manufactured locally, located near target consumers/end-users.

Select product categories below to learn more about each rating.