Frequently asked questions
Q1: Are sustainable products readily available?
A1 : Yes, there are thousands of products that progress sustainability principles available in the market today. In the last few years, the size of the market for products with sustainability characteristics has exponentially increased. There are a number of databases that describe sustainability criteria of products and services.
Q2: Do sustainable products cost more?
A2: Sometimes, however changing market conditions and technological innovation has resulted in lowering costs for sustainably preferred products against equivalent products while others are comparable in price.
Another factor to consider in relation to costs is comparing upfront costs of a product to whole of life costs. For example, products such as energy efficient appliances can reduce the operating costs, significantly decreasing the cost of electricity bills; products which are durable and have life-extension qualities (ie. can be refurbished or its parts can be reconditioned) reduce overall costs; products which have minimal packaging reduce waste management costs.
The Queensland Government's State Procurement Policy requires that procurement decisions are based on value for money, and should advance government priorities. Value for money includes considering non-cost factors, eg sustainability impacts in the procurement decision.
Q3: What if sustainable products are of inferior quality?
A3 Products which are assessed to be inferior quality do not represent good value for money regardless of whether there are claims of an environmentally lower impact. A product's durability, quality and longevity are important environmental characteristics because the product does not require replacement as often. There is a direct and substantial environmental benefit because longer lasting products mean there is reduced waste, reduced use of raw materials, reduced manufacturing processes, and reduced transport of the product. Importantly, longer lasting products generally represent better value for money.
Additionally, technology is constantly improving the environmental quality of products. Recycled paper and remanufactured toner cartridges are good examples of products that have improved through enhanced technology and consumer demand.
Q4: How do you identify sustainably preferred products?
A4 There are trustworthy and reliable eco-labelling programs (Energy Rating, Energy Star, and Good Environmental Choice Australia) that can guide a purchaser to make informed decisions about green products.
However, it is important to verify all claims and labels to ensure they are credible.
Misleading and/or vague claims used in labelling and packaging, marketing and advertising are called greenwash. If you see self declared claims like "environmentally friendly", "toxic free", recycled "green", "Accredited by xyz" or symbols which give the impression of being environmentally preferred products you need to verify these claims. Ask the supplier how their product has a lower impact on the environment than other competing products and ask them to supply evidence which substantiates their claims.
"Greenwash" or misleading the consumer about the environmental credentials of products and services can be considered illegal if it is not consistent with the ACCC code for advertising.
The ISO standards for environmental marketing (14020 series), which the ACCC use as a benchmark, include a wide range of principles and specific criteria for self declared environmental claims, including that they be:
- Accurate and non-deceptive
- Substantiated and verified
- Specific about the improvement or benefit claimed
- Specific about whether the claim relates to the product or its packaging.
Last updated May 2009
Last updated May 2009
