| ENERGY STAR Certification |
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It was designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In 1996, EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy to expand the product categories using the ENERGY STAR label. Today, the ENERGY STAR label appears on major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics and many more.
ENERGY STAR labeled products not only helps in reducing green gas emissions but is also a cost saving solution. These products deliver either the same or better performance vs. its competitors while using less energy. |
| Bamboo |
Bamboo is a useful soil conservation tool and a prime component of landscape design. It is a renewable resource and its cultivation is beneficial to the environment. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant and can be continuously re-harvested every 3 years without damaging the surrounding environment.
If bamboos were to be planted on a mass basis, the effects of global warming could be reduced within 6 years. It will also provide a renewable source of food, building materials and erosion prevention.
Bamboo fiber is soft, absorbent and known to have antibacterial qualities. Clothing made of bamboo fiber helps reduce bacteria that cause unpleasant odors. It has also insulating properties that will keep the user feel cooler in summer and warmer in colder days. |
| Recycled Materials |
Recycled materials are products that were made from used materials such as glass, metals, plastics, papers, textiles, electronics and much more. Recycling involves the processing of used materials into new products.
Buying recycled products preserves the environment, saves energy, reduces solid wastes, limits greenhouse gases and creates new jobs. Using recycled materials limits the amount of waste we contribute to our environment. It is an excellent way of conserving energy and saving the environment. |
| Organic Cotton |
Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Using an organic production system can replenish and maintain soil fertility. Likewise, it retains water more efficiently and uses beneficial insects to control pests.
Organic cotton fiber is widely used in personal items, home furnishings, children's products and clothing lines. |
| Chemical-Free Dyes |
Chemical-free dyes or natural dyes are commonly used in organic clothing. These dyes are made from plants, vegetables and minerals with a water-based solution. Most common minerals used that give colors to fabrics are indigo, turmeric, pomegranate and rock alum. |
| Soy Fiber |
Soy fiber is a by-product of tofu, soy oil and soymilk process. It's an example of turning a waste product into something useful. Soy fiber has a high resistance to bacteria just like bamboo.
Soy fibers are eco-friendly and offer many benefits similar to synthetic fibers minus the use of adding chemical treatments. |
| Hemp |
Hemp is considered as the world's strongest natural fiber. Every part of the hemp plant is useful, nothing is wasted. A hemp cloth is stronger, longer-lasting, more resistant to mildew and much cheaper to produce than a cotton cloth. It is also a perfect source for fuel since it has more biomass than any other plant. Hemp's oilseed makes high-grade food and beauty products. |
| Chlorine-Free Whitening |
Chlorine-free whitening process is used as an alternative and eco-safe method of bleaching cotton fibers. Using this process prevents harmful chlorinated hydrocarbons from damaging the environment. |
| Rubberwood Toys |
Para rubber tree produces a sap-like extract known as latex and is used to make a natural rubber. The wood from this tree is called rubberwood; used to craft furniture and toys. It is an environmentally friendly wood, since these trees are cut down only after it yields extremely low latex, around 26-30 years of age. |
| Bamboo Toys |
Bamboo is a good material to use for kid's toys. It is far better than plastic and wood. It's safer for the environment since it is easily cultivated and can be replenished within 3 to 5 years. |
| Recycled Toys |
Recycled toys are made from materials that were previously used and were processed to make new and eco-friendly playthings. The most common ingredient is plastic containers which are reprocessed into a cleaner plastic then are molded to produce safer toys for the kids and environment. |
| Environmental Packaging |
Most companies are now cutting down on plastic packaging. They are working on packaging design that is more cost effective, highly recyclable and eco-friendly. |
