Hagermeyer Green Book

Hagermeyer North America introduced its 2009-2010 Green Book: Sustainable Solutions, a 210-page listing of 1500 green products, from its 60+ supplier partners.

Senior Vice President of Product Strategy & Marketing, Brad Pulver, states “in our new Green Book, we showcase products and services from industry-leading manufacturers to create a convenient, one-stop-shop for our customers who want to make more sustainable choices in their business.”

I checked out the website and it’s basically a PDF minefield. But for those how trust Hagermeyer, it’s a safe listing of green products and services. The book includes Energy Management, Test & Measure, Building Products, Water Management, Industrial & Safety products, and “Educate Yourself.”

>> Hagermeyer website
>> Related article at Market Watch

A recent article in the environment section of Guardian.co.uk followed a claim made to the US Congress by an environmental consulting firm, TerraChoice, that up to 98% of environmentally friendly products in US supermarkets are sold under outright false or ambiguous pretenses.

TerraChoice's report to Congress, cause for concern

I’ve come across a handful of other articles with similar claims.  With green marketing and eco-labeling companies on the rise, this is clear cause for anxiety.  As concerned consumers flock to the stores hoping to make responsible, green purchases, (toting green Publix or Walmart bags) many are simply being duped.

TerraChoice’s study included roughly 4,000 consumer products.  What they found was greenwashing in nearly every product category.  The report showed false claims, spotty eco-labels with no verifiable authority, and shady language making unclear declarations.

The number of eco-labelers continues to grow, perhaps making it necessary to create a national committee to set and uphold standards.  A study by Walmart found that 57% of its customers showed a concern for the environment…a concern that may be in vein.

>> TerraChoice website

At a recent National Summit session on Sustainable Business Solutions, Steve Odland, chairman and CEO of Office Depot Inc stated that there are over 300 eco-labelers, organizations that hand out approvals of what is green. Is it just me, or is that a lot?

I don’t agree with the government putting these companies out of business, but there has to be some sort of standardization within the community. Oldand thinks, “maybe its time for a U.S. Green Product Council which could then take on the tasks of mapping all these various certifications.”

Once the logo and specifications for approval are standardized, eco-labeling companies would be held to those standards.

Tony Schmidtt, CEO of FedEx Global Supply wants the government to take it a step further and push forward policies that will help businesses hit environmental goals.

>> Green Tree article on UL’s green label
>> Green Label article in The Detroit News

Underwriters Laboratories, a 115-year old company, known for product testing, has given its first green validation since launching its subsidiary UL Environment in January this year.

The UL Approval

The purpose of UL Environment is to test products that claim to be eco-friendly and if they pass, give them the UL stamp of approval. UL’s first approval was EcoRock, a new drywall that is 80% recycled material, has low VOC emissions, is mercury free and is highly resistant to mold.

UL Environment hopes to weed out false claims and give credit to green innovation and quality eco-friendly products.