What is Enviro-Mark?Reader submitted

It was good to get some information about various toilet papers - it's very hard to assess them when you're standing in front of a mountain of packets at the supermarket.

Advertised adjacent to a buyer's guide to toilet paper is an ad for Earthcare brand. It is accredited as being 'Enviro-Mark Gold'. There was no mention of this accreditation scheme in the article.

So, could you explain what Envrio-Mark is?

 

19/02/2013  5:18 pm  by Greg Roughan - Editor Green Ideas

Hi Sablyth - this is a really good question! Looking into it briefly, it seems that the Enviro-Mark scheme is run by Landcare Research, a Government-owned Crown Research Institute - which lends it some immediate credibility. Will look into it more though. I've also asked Earthcare to explain the process they went through and why they chose this eco-label and will post their response here when they get back to us - stay tuned.

 

21/02/2013  11:00 am by Greg Roughan - Editor Green Ideas

Hi Sablyth - We spoke to Earthcare about why they chose the Enviro-Mark certification scheme. Here's what they came back with:

Producing Earthcare in NZ, we were keen to find a New Zealand programme that shares our commitment to sustainability in New Zealand. In LandCare Research we found a Crown Research Institute that has accumulated vast sustainability knowhow specific to New Zealand. In Enviro-Mark, we found a program that utilises this knowledge to mentor us in building Earthcare manufacturing processes with NZ sustainability top of mind. Starting from the Bronze level, we have worked our way up to Gold level over the years.

The connection to LandCare Research is highlighted in this paragraph from Enviro-Mark website. I have included the link below.

“LandCare Research is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute specialising in sustainable management of land resources, optimising primary production, enhancing biodiversity, increasing the resource efficiency of businesses, and conserving and restoring the natural assets of our communities. The Enviro-Mark unit is one of LandCare Research's teams, concentrating on environmental management improvement for organisations.”

http://www.enviro-mark.co.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=45

 

21/02/2013  11:18 am  by sablyth

Hi Greg

I really appreciate you going to the trouble of finding out these details. Sounds like EarthCare have really thought about the best match of certification programme for their company. As a consumer, this gives me confidence there is some deeper substance behind the packaging.

Cheers, Stephen

 

21/02/2013  11:19 am  by Greg Roughan - Editor Green Ideas

Our pleasure Stephen - it was a learning experience for us too!