Are eco labels greenwashing? | Spotlight on Rainforest Alliance, GOTS & FSC certifications
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- Are eco labels really just greenwashing? Ever wondered what those environmental symbols you see on products really mean and why they matter? In this video we’re diving into environmental labelling and whether we can trust the Rainforest Alliance, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Do you look for these eco symbols when shopping? Let chat in the comments 👇
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:51 Why are eco labels important?
01:38 What are eco labels?
02:15 Rainforest Alliance
04:22 Global Organic Textile Standard
06:55 Forest Stewardship Council
09:00 Are eco labels greenwashing?
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SOURCES
www.unep.org/explore-topics/r...
ecosystemsunited.com/2019/11/...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
fairworldproject.org/wp-conte...
www.oxfam.de/system/files/201...
www.theguardian.com/global-de...
global-standard.org/news/gots...
e360.yale.edu/features/greenw...
www.greenpeace.org/static/pla...
newrepublic.com/article/16524...
news.mongabay.com/2022/03/fsc...
news.mongabay.com/2014/07/drc...
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👋 Hey, I’m Charlie! I make videos about everyday sustainability, from living a realistic eco lifestyle to DIYs and product reviews. I also have a website and blog for more tips, guidance and sustainable products, check it out www.lifebeforeplastic.co.uk/ - Jak na to + styl
Very interesting, what you mentioned about FSC. I am trying to figure out some "purchasing rules" to minimise environmental harm.
It’s very difficult to manage! On the one hand without FSC there is no way of showing that any wood based products are sustainable but on the other, just by having an FSC label doesn’t mean that it is perfect. Look out for it but don’t assume it’s sustainable because of the label
Very informative and you've opened my eyes to what these labels do and do not signify. Thanks for this video.
I’m glad you found it helpful!
I am very cynical about whether the labels are just stuck on for compliance purposes... It is too easily faked... like certificates that are issued for inspections that were never done in third world countries. Corruption along the supply chain is not just a reality, but in some cases the costs saved by cutting corners at the management level has been far to prevalent in the food and import-export industry. One would like to think that the labels mean something, but I have long lost faith in the reliability of symbolic representations of quality control in the global marketplace...
I fully agree with you. I think it's a challenging one because there are so many shortfalls in the monitoring and compliance of the standards, it ends up meaningless. But I also think if we didn't have these standards, would companies strive to reach them and improve workers and environmental circumstances? There has to be other mechanisms for improvement too and in some cases, these labels really don't do what we expect them too. But not having standards isn't a solution either 🤷♀
@@LifeBeforePlastic It is really hard to find quality on a planet scrabbling for resources... I totally believe that the best label we can brandish to promote our purpose is a social label... being labelled a nutter or an activist or an animal lover or an environmentalist is more valuable if applied with honesty and purpose in today's crazy world. Of course we cannot present our own labels but our actions ultimately will. Keep doing what you are doing. You inspire.
Thank you! I really appreciate your point of view. It’s so challenging to have to do all the research ourselves when we’d hope certifications could do some of the work for us. All we can do is try our best and continue to support small and local where possible.
Are R.A. products poisoned?
What do you mean poisoned?
@@LifeBeforePlastic Do they contain harmful substances?
@@gaborkiss1425 Rainforest alliance imo is one of the best eco labels. It’s not about ingredients but how forests, climate and people are treated