Do Your Research Before Investing in Green Products

Greening your life may be a personal goal.  More people are grappling with an increase in demand for everything from gas to electricity.  Seeking a way to reduce your consumption, and, in the process, save yourself money, is an admirable goal.

Greening your life may cost you more initially, but doing so can save you money in the long run.  For instance, if you invest in solar panels, you’ll need to pay more upfront, but over the next decade or two, you’ll save a significant amount of money on your utility bills.

Buying a hybrid car costs more when you make the initial purchase, but again, you’ll save on fuel in the years to come.  In addition, hybrids often have a higher resale value when it’s time to trade it in for a new model.

However, before you make a purchase, especially a large purchase, in the name of become more green, make sure you do your research.  Corporations are learning that the terms “environmentally friendly”, “eco-friendly”, and “green” carry weight with consumers.  Some unscrupulous companies are using these terms to cash in on a growing concern for the environment and the popularity and interest of green products even when their own products are not.

Before you spend your money, learn how to determine if the company truly has the environment in mind or is just looking to make a little extra money.

Consider the following:

1. Where is the item produced?  First, you’ll need to know where the item is produced.  In addition to being concerned about the environment, are you concerned about workers’ welfare?  If so, you may want to stay away from products that rely on cheap labor to maximize profit.
2. How is the item produced?  If you’re buying an item to help you live a more eco-friendly life but the item is not produced in an environmentally friendly way, what is the point?  You may be contributing to damaging the Earth simply by paying for something that wasn’t manufactured in a green way.You can look to see if the company meets ISO standards.  For instance, CNC machining operated by companies like Diacarb proudly meets ISO standards.  Just knowing that a company meets these standards tells you they are likely a responsible manufacturer, especially since the standards are voluntary.
3. Check out the company’s website.  Companies that are truly trying to be green are often transparent about their process and the steps they take to be environmentally friendly.  They often give specific details about the manufacturing process, unlike other companies who hope to make a quick buck by cashing in on a trend.More and more people want to be environmentally responsible.  Unfortunately, as demand for these types of products increases, so, too, do the claims from companies who want to take your hard earned dollars.  If you take the time to research both the product and the company producing it, you can be better informed and can make more responsible buying decisions, which will benefit not only you, but the environment and your wallet.