“One person can make all the difference in the world. For
the first time in recorded human history, we have the fate of the whole planet
in our hands.”
Chrissie Hynde
The terms ‘Eco-friendly’,
‘organic’, ‘natural’ ‘herbal’ are tossed so much around that usually they are
considered one and the same thing often used interchangeably. So do they mean
the same thing?
Not necessarily. As per
the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), India, defines organic as
“Products that are grown under a system
of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with an
environmentally and socially responsible approach”. According to the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program, organic is “a
labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has
been produced through approved methods. These methods integrate cultural,
biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote
ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage
sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.”
Products that are made
with organic raw materials such as organic cotton clothes, organic food
products etc. are also termed as organic products.
While, eco-friendly
products literally means that the products that do not harm the ecology or the
environment during their manufacturing or usage. As per Wikipedia, “Environmentally
friendly (also eco-friendly, nature friendly, and green)
are ambiguous terms used to refer to goods and services, laws, guidelines and
policies claimed to inflict reduced, minimal, or no harm at all, upon ecosystems
or the environment.”
So, organic
automatically means eco-friendly as they are not harming the environment during
their growth, but eco-friendly not necessarily means organic.
So
which is better?
“I feel more confident than ever that the power to save the
planet rests with the individual consumer.” (Denis Hayes, Chair, Earth
Day Network)
In my opinion, both are
good choices if you are looking forward to a healthy lifestyle. Organic food
products save toxins and pesticides from entering your body, thus making you
healthy. On the other hand, eco-friendly products have less effect on the environment,
thus reducing the pressure on our already polluted air, water, soil and other
natural resources.
However, as with any
product, reading the fine print would help you to make and educated choice. It
might
save you from the ‘green-washing’ that is being done in the name of giving
eco-friendly or organic products. Look for certifications on the product or if
possible on the website of the companies manufacturing them. Bottomline is, its
all about the choices we make.
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