Better claims start with better information.

Our approach

We believe sustainability information should help customers make better-informed decisions, not simply make products sound greener.

Where does our sustainability information come from?

Sustainability information displayed by Ecosource may come from sources including:

• manufacturers
• suppliers
• product specifications
• certification documentation
• compliance documentation
• material information
• structured product data
• calculated information where clearly identified

Ecosource may organise and present this information in a more consistent format to make it easier for customers to understand.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, this does not mean Ecosource has independently tested or certified every environmental attribute supplied by a manufacturer or supplier.

Product-specific means product-specific

Environmental attributes shown on one product should not automatically be assumed to apply to another.

Even products that look similar may differ in:

• materials
• recycled content
• manufacturing processes
• certifications
• packaging
• components
• supply chains

Sustainability information displayed on a product page applies to the product or relevant component identified by the supporting information available to Ecosource.

Recycled content

A recycled-content claim describes material made using recycled feedstock.

Where a recycled percentage is shown, that percentage should be understood according to the scope of the underlying product or material information.

For example, a claim relating to recycled polyester fabric does not automatically mean:

100% of the entire finished product is recycled.

Other components such as zips, trims, linings, coatings, threads, closures, electronics or packaging may have different material compositions.

Where the available information relates to a specific component or material, the claim should remain connected to that component or material.

Recycled doesn't mean recyclable

These two terms describe different things.

A product can contain recycled material without necessarily being practically recyclable at end of life.

Likewise, a recyclable material does not automatically contain recycled content.

We avoid using these terms interchangeably.

Renewable materials

A renewable material comes from a resource capable of replenishment over time.

That does not automatically mean every product made from a renewable material has a low environmental impact.

Factors such as sourcing, processing, manufacturing, transport, durability and end-of-life options still matter.

Where Ecosource identifies a renewable material, the claim refers to the relevant material characteristic rather than acting as a universal sustainability rating for the finished product.

Natural doesn't automatically mean sustainable

Materials such as cotton, wood, bamboo, cork and other naturally derived materials can have useful characteristics.

But natural and sustainable are not synonyms.

Environmental impacts can still arise from cultivation, forestry, processing, manufacturing, chemicals, water use, transport and other lifecycle stages.

We therefore prefer to describe the material and any supported attributes rather than assume a product is environmentally preferable simply because a material is natural.

Certifications

Certifications can provide valuable information about particular materials, supply chains, manufacturing practices or other defined requirements.

But certifications have a scope.

A certification does not automatically verify every environmental or social characteristic of a finished product.

Where Ecosource displays certification information, customers should understand the certification according to:

• what is certified
• the scope of the applicable standard
• the relevant product or material
• the supporting documentation
• any applicable certification or chain-of-custody requirements

FSC®, GRS, RCS and other standards

Ecosource products may include references to recognised standards or certification schemes where supported by the applicable product information.

These may include certifications relating to areas such as:

• responsible forestry
• recycled materials
• recycled-content verification
• chain of custody
• other product-specific attributes

The presence of a certification should not be expanded into claims beyond what that particular certification actually covers.

For plain-English explanations of certifications commonly encountered in promotional merchandise, visit our Eco Edit and sustainability resources.

A certification isn't a sustainability score

This is worth repeating.

A certification can provide meaningful evidence about a defined characteristic.

It does not necessarily mean:

“This entire product is sustainable.”

For example, a certification might relate specifically to:

• a material
• recycled content
• forestry sourcing
• a manufacturing process
• a particular supply-chain requirement

The scope matters.

Environmental terminology

We try to avoid broad environmental terms where a more specific description is available.

Rather than simply saying “eco-friendly”, we would prefer information such as:

• contains 70% recycled material
• FSC-certified material
• reusable product
• replaceable component
• another specific, supported attribute

Specific claims are generally more useful than vague green language.

Biodegradable & compostable

These terms should only be used where they are supported by appropriate product information.

Biodegradable and compostable are not interchangeable.

The conditions required for degradation or composting can matter significantly.

A product described as compostable may require particular industrial or other controlled conditions and should not automatically be assumed to break down in every environment.

Ecosource should not describe a product as biodegradable or compostable unless the available product information supports that description.

Reusable

Reusability describes a product's ability or intended design to be used more than once.

It does not automatically tell us how many times the product will actually be used or whether it has a lower environmental impact than every single-use alternative.

How long a product remains useful can be an important part of its overall sustainability story.

That's why we also encourage customers to think about quality, usefulness, durability and longevity rather than looking only at the material label.

Product longevity matters

Promotional merchandise creates value when people actually want to keep and use it.

Material choice matters. But so does the useful life of the finished product.

A product that remains useful for a long period may tell a different sustainability story from something that is quickly discarded.

Longevity should therefore be considered alongside materials, manufacturing, transport, packaging and end-of-life factors.

Product carbon footprints

Some Ecosource products may display calculated product carbon footprint information.

Carbon footprints are expressed using carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) and provide information about estimated greenhouse gas emissions within the defined methodology and calculation boundary.

A product carbon footprint:

• is not a sustainability score
• does not measure every environmental impact
• should not automatically be used to declare one product “sustainable” and another “unsustainable”

Carbon calculations depend on the underlying data, methodology, system boundaries and assumptions.

Calculated & estimated information

Some sustainability information may be calculated or modelled rather than directly measured for every individual product unit.

Where calculated information is displayed, it should be understood in the context of the methodology, source data and assumptions used.

Estimates can still provide useful information.

The important thing is not to present an estimate as something more certain than it is.

AI-assisted tools

Ecosource may use technology, including AI-assisted tools, to help organise, process, analyse or present sustainability information.

AI does not independently certify a product or turn an unsupported environmental statement into evidence.

Environmental claims should remain grounded in the underlying product information, documentation, methodology and data.

AI is a tool in the process — not the evidence behind the claim.

Information can change

Products, suppliers, materials, certifications and manufacturing specifications can change over time.

We aim to keep Ecosource product information current, but updates may occur as new or revised information becomes available.

If a particular environmental attribute or certification is essential to your client's brief, please confirm the current information with Ecosource before placing the order.

Using Ecosource information with your clients

Ecosource Trade is designed to help resellers communicate useful product information to their own customers.

When using sustainability information supplied by Ecosource, we recommend keeping the original meaning and context of the claim.

Keep the evidence attached to the statement it actually supports.

Avoiding greenwashing

Greenwashing isn't only about deliberately making something up.

Problems can also arise when a genuine piece of information is stretched beyond what it actually demonstrates.

A recycled-content claim can be accurate. A certification can be legitimate. A carbon calculation can be useful.

But each still needs context.

Our preference is simple:

• Say what we know.
• Explain what it means.
• Don't claim what we can't support.

Need the supporting information?

If your client requires additional information relating to a particular product's material, certification, compliance documentation or sustainability attributes, contact us.

Where supporting documentation is available and can appropriately be shared, we'll help you identify it.