What Makes a Cleaning Product Truly Sustainable? A Guide to Avoiding Greenwashing

April is Earth Month, a perfect time to reflect on our impact on the planet. However, in a market saturated with green labels, eco symbols, and ambiguous terms like “eco-friendly,” it is often difficult to distinguish real sustainability from simple marketing strategy. This is what we know as greenwashing.

ECOS believes transparency is essential. A truly sustainable product is not one that simply claims to be. It is one that considers and minimizes its impact at every stage of its lifecycle, from ingredient selection to what happens when the package is empty.

If you want your purchasing decisions to have a real positive impact this Earth Month, this is the guide to know what to look for!

The Lifecycle: A Comprehensive View of Sustainability

To evaluate the sustainability of a cleaning product, it is not enough to look at the formula. We must adopt a holistic view that encompasses the entire process:

1. Ingredient Origin: Where do the cleaning agents (surfactants) come from?

Many conventional products use petroleum derivatives. Truly sustainable products rely on plant-based, renewable ingredients. In the case of ECOS, several ingredients come from different plant-based sources, such as coconut & potatoes, and from other sources like minerals, which clean effectively without depleting fossil resources. In addition, we are committed to ingredient transparency and disclose them on our labels along with what they are used for.

2. Manufacturing Process: How are these products made?

A real commitment to the planet involves reducing the carbon footprint in all stages of production. For instance, we’re proud of the fact that we manufacture in facilities that use 100% renewable energy and to have achieved Carbon Neutral and Water Neutral certification. It is not only about what we do, but how we do it.

3. Pay attention to packaging

As we explored in our article on smart packaging, packaging is crucial. A sustainable product seeks to reduce plastic, using recycled materials or compact formats (such as our laundry sheets, or packs) that minimize waste and optimize transportation, reducing CO₂ emissions. In addition, packaging should be easily recyclable once empty- no wishcycling! Beware of seemingly “eco” packaging with hidden interior plastic packaging! 

Trust Certifications (But verify them first)

Given the proliferation of greenwashing, independent third-party certifications are the most reliable tool for consumers. Do not rely on self-declared “labels;” look for internationally recognized seals that rigorously audit products:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safer Choice
  This certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ensures that every ingredient in the product has been evaluated to meet strict criteria for human health and environmental safety, without sacrificing performance. At ECOS, we have more than 120 Safer Choice–certified products. We are the company with the most recognitions in this category and are proud to have been named Safer Choice Partner of the Year eight times, most recently in 2024.
• United States Department of Agriculture Certified Biobased Product
  Certifies that the product contains a verified amount of renewable organic ingredients (derived from plants). This is a certification we’ve begun to dabble in as well!
• Leaping Bunny
  The gold standard for “cruelty-free” products, ensuring that no animal testing has been conducted at any stage of product development. We are proud that all of our products are Vegan.
  

Beyond the Label: Who Is Behind the Brand?

To combat greenwashing, sometimes it is necessary to look a little deeper. Not all “green brands” are the same.

Find out who owns them. Many brands marketed as sustainable have been acquired by large corporations that do not share the same values across their entire portfolio. ECOS remains a family-owned company, guided by the same principles for more than 55 years. Our mission is to create the most sustainable and affordable products for all not just a passing “trend.”

Look for consistency. A truly sustainable company integrates these values throughout its entire operation, not just in a specific product line.

Radical Transparency

This Earth Month, we invite you to be a more conscious and discerning consumer. Don’t accept vague terms or wishy-washy . Look for facts, transparency, certifications, and companies that demonstrate their commitment at every step of the process.

At ECOS, sustainability is our North Star, and we are committed to offering you the transparency you need to make the best decisions for your home and for the planet.

Want to dive even deeper?

Check out one of our favorite series on social right now by @krystalynngier:
“Is it truly sustainable or is it greenwashing?” Discover it here!