Guidelines for Recommended Products & Services

Recommended Products and Services must meet Practically Green's standards for what makes a product green -- in the context of the corresponding action.

A company can not pay to have their item included on the list.

The majority of included products are recommended by Practically Green’s users, reviewed by Practically Green staff, and then added to the site. Practically Green will also add products that have been used and liked by members of the Practically Green staff.

If a company wishes to submit a product for inclusion, they may send a link or other information (pictures, ingredients/materials list, etc.) to show how it meets our standards. If it does, the product can be included on the list. It will be listed initially with no rating or reviews. Once submitted, a company may not request that their listing and corresponding rating be removed. They may ask for a written explanation from the PG staff member who tried the product.

Once included in the list, a company may purchase extra features on their listing. For instance, a special offer for PG users, a link to buy it or to request a follow-up, a button to drive Facebook “likes” or Amazon ratings, or email-newsletter sign-ups.

Our standards for Green

Our directory of recommended products is designed to save you time and give you confidence. You should be able to trust that the selection process is reliable and based on good, current information. Our goal is to include only those products that are beneficial for you and the planet.

Whenever possible, we rely on transparent, accountable, and respected third-party certifying and research organizations, ranging from the Environmental Working Group to the Global Organic Textile Standards to the Forestry Stewardship Council.

A product may be considered green for more than one reason but be evaluated in only one category. For example, cosmetics may have recycled packaging. For purposes of Practically Green points we are more focused on the green attributes of the cosmetic itself than we are on its packaging. Conversely, a product with one or more green benefits might not be included if it also has significant environmental burdens. For example, a cold-water detergent may help influence a consumer to use cold water. However, if the same product contains phosphates or other harmful chemicals, it would not be listed in Practically Green due the health and environmental hazards it represents.

Here are our criteria for inclusion, by category:

  • Energy

    • Product or service directly reduces energy usage and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. Examples: solar, high-efficiency windows, hybrid car, water-heater jacket

    • Product or service directly influences behavior that in turn reduces overall energy needs. Examples: home monitoring systems, farmers' markets

  • Water

    • Product or service directly reduces water usage, run-off, or sewage treatment. Example: High-efficiency clothes washer

    • Product or service promotes capture or reuse of water. Example: rainbarrels

    • Product or service directly influences behavior that reduces overall water needs. Example: shower timer

  • Health/Personal Care & Cleaning

    • Products labelled organic are certified by the USDA and products labelled natural are certified by the Natural Products Association or the European BDIH

      If a product is not certified as organic or natural, the product or service has been evaluated by EWG and/or GoodGuide and received the following scores:

      • EWG "hazard" rating: < or = 3
      • GoodGuide "health" rating: > or = 8

    • If a product meets one organization's level but not the other, and is not certified organic or all-natural, it may be included with a note that highlights the concerning ingredient(s). If no product in a category meets the threshold, the "next best" choices may be included, but that fact will be noted and their health score will be included.

  • Health/Food & Beverage

    • Product does not contain artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup (Example: Kashi Cereal)

    • Meat/fish/dairy product was not produced using hormones, antibiotics or other drugs for the purpose of stimulating growth or production and/or was produced in accordance with standards for organic production (Example: Applegate Farms slow-cooked ham)

    • Products listed under an organic action item must be certified organic or they will be only be considered “all-natural” (Example: Annie’s Certified Organic Mac N Cheese vs. Annie’s Mac N Cheese with organic pasta)

    • PG recognizes the importance of other sustainability factors like fair trade, genetically modified organisms, and sustainable production and packaging. However, we do not currently include these factors in our evaluation.

  • Health/Materials & IAQ

    • Products that contribute to a safe, healthy indoor environment because they do not release significant chemicals or other pollutants into the environment (Examples: no-VOC paint, flame-retardant free pajamas)

    • Products that help avoid the development or spread of indoor-air contaminants (Example: natural latex mattress)

  • Stuff

    • Made from rapidly renewable materials (example: bamboo)

    • Made from certified wood (example: FSC certified greeting cards)

    • Made from recycled materials, not less than 50% of materials are recycled (Example: recycled plastic cups)

    • Made from agricultural or other waste (Example: corn-husk scrubbers)

    • Products or services that minimize the use and consumption of natural resources (Examples: e-billing, freecycle)

    • Products that are extremely durable and low maintenance relative to standard choices

      (Example: wooden toy blocks)

    • Products salvaged or reused from other products or people

      (Example: consignment stores)

Please let us know what you think.