Guides & How-To
Guides & How-To · by EarthCleanse Team · 5 min read
A 60-second method for telling real certifications from green-sounding noise.
Look for named certifications
Real claims name a certifying body and standard. Trust marks worth knowing: BPI and ASTM D6400 (compostability), EN 13432 (EU compostability), FSC (responsible wood/paper), USDA Bio Preferred (biobased content), and No Added PFAS verification.
Check three things fast
In under a minute you can sort real from fake:
Is there a named certifier and standard (not just a leaf icon)?
Is there a timeframe or measurable claim, not a vague adjective?
Can you verify it on the brand's certifications page or the certifier's site?
Red flags
Vague words ('eco', 'natural', 'green') with no certifier; 'biodegradable' with no standard; a custom-designed 'eco' badge that isn't a recognised mark. None of these prove anything.
Our approach
We publish our certificates and even state which products are conventional recyclable plastic and why. If a brand won't show its proof — or hides its plastic — be skeptical.
Key takeaways
Real labels name a certifier and standard.
Check for a verifiable, measurable claim.
Vague badges and 'biodegradable' alone are red flags.
Shop the post: See certified products.
Learn more: Browse our proof on Certifications and the greenwashing-watch article.
