Archives: Shop Green

What is it about?

Using intelligent batteries and rechargeable systems help avoiding waste, saving money, protecting the environment and resources. Nowadays almost exclusively lithium batteries are used, which can absorb a lot of energy (high-energy batteries).

Product groups

Rechargeable batteries (Li-Ion, NiMh) and the associated chargers.

Hint

For rechargeable batteries, it is particularly important to ensure that they are used correctly, so that the rechargeable batteries are not damaged.

Also remember to use electricity from renewable energies. Choosing the right batteries and chargers depends on many factors, such as: frequency of charge cycles, application of the battery, etc.

When disposing high-energy batteries, ensure safe handling (risk of fire).

Criteria

Excluded are NiCd batteries.

What is it about?

A luminaire refers to the entire construction surrounding the light source and consists of several components such as the fixture, socket, reflector, shade or glass cover. The actual light source, which is referred to as the lamp, is located inside the luminaire.

Product groups

LED Lamps

Luminaires with replaceable LED lamps

Hint

In addition to energy efficiency and electricity saving, the energy source is also an important factor when it comes to „electrical energy“: Therefore you should prefer electricity produced from renewable energy sources. The following criteria also take account of the requirement that easy repairability of products and waste prevention are important components of sustainable consumption.

Criteria (examples)

Are assessed at luminaire/lamps: energy consumption (W), lumen output (lm), light efficiency (lm/W), life time (h), switch resistance (On/Off switching), components, packaging, consumer information, energy efficiency.

Are assessed at luminaires: easy repairability / long life of luminaires (simple change of defective LED lamps with standard sockets), energy efficiency, information on packaging, packaging made of recycled materials wherever possible.

More infos on: http://www.oekotopten.lu.

Products for the commercial use :

Washing and cleaning always has an impact on the environment and more particularly on water. Thus, selecting ecological detergents and the appropriate use (dosage, water temperature) are not only important for the environment but also for the human health.

In addition to the general criteria such products have to comply with specific criteria among others the tenside level the biodegradability in water and the level of other substances (i.e. solvents, bleach, scents, enzymes, …).

What is it about?

Washing and cleaning always has an impact on the environment and more particularly on water. Thus, selecting ecological detergents and the appropriate use (dosage, water temperature) are not only important for the environment but also for the human health.

Product groups

Laundry detergents, softeners

Detergents such as all-purpose cleaners, window cleaners, floor cleaners, dishwashing detergents, carpet cleaners, descalers etc.

Hint

Beside the use of environmentally friendly products, the correct handling of the products and the right cleaning techniques are necessary to guarantee ecological cleaning.

The SDK offers training on this topic.

Washing machines and dishwashers with the lowest power and energy consumption are listed on the website www.oekotopten.lu.

Criteria

The criteria include: the content of surfactants and their degradability in the aquatic environment, the concentration of other ingredients (for example, solvents, bleaches, fragrances, enzymes, …).

Further criteria concern the use of recycled materials or materials of biological origin for the packaging.

What is it about?

The use of environmentally friendly school and office supplies is not just about immediate protection of the environment and health. Another important aspect is the use of secondary raw materials from recycling sources and the use of sustainably produced raw materials (sustainably produced wood for paper and products made of wood).

Product groups

Material for writing and printing, such as booklets, blocks, envelopes

Material for archiving, like files, covers

Material for writing and drawing, such as wooden pens, pens

Other products, like adhesives, rulers etc.

Hint

An interactive product selection allows the compilation of shopping lists for parents and students on www.shop-green.lu.

Criteria

Products from recycled materials (for example, paper, booklets, rulers, refillable writing utensils, etc.) and products whose raw materials come from sustainable cultivation are generally advertised. Criteria can also be the refillability and – in the case of electronic devices – the power supply with photovoltaic cells.

Excluded are products made from biodegradable plastics and products with harmful ingredients in questionable amounts.

What is it about?

The use of office supplies is not just about immediate protection of the environment and health. Another important aspect is the use of secondary raw materials from recycling sources and the use of sustainably produced raw materials (sustainably produced wood for paper and products made of wood).

Product groups

Material for writing and printing, such as booklets, blocks, envelopes

Material for archiving, like files, covers

Material for writing and drawing, such as wooden pens, pens

Other products, like adhesives, rulers etc.

Criteria

Products from recycled materials (for example, paper, booklets, rulers, refillable writing utensils, etc.) and products whose raw materials come from sustainable cultivation are generally advertised. Criteria can also be the refillability and – in the case of electronic devices – the power supply with photovoltaic cells.

Excluded are products made from biodegradable plastics and products with harmful ingredients in questionable amounts.

What is it about ?

Rinse-off products are personal care products that are used for cleaning the skin and hair but washed off or rinsed off with water and therefore are not left on the skin or hair.

Product groups

Bath and shower additives (salts, foam, oil, gel,..)

Solid soaps, liquid soaps; Shampoos; Hair-conditioner to be washed out again

Shaving products (shaving foam, shaving cream, shaving gel and shaving soap)

Hint

From an ecological perspective, personal care products may cause a high proportion of potentially problematical pollution in waste water and find their way indirectly into drinking water. In the case of products such as personal care products that are used every day, it‘s therefore important for the ingredients to break down quickly so that they cannot build up in the environment.

Criteria

No toxic, carcinogenic, chronically harmful or mutagenic ingredients or ones harmful to fertility; a low proportion of fragrances; rapid breakdown of the tensides; colorants that meet the requirements of the foodstuffs industry; only preservatives that are licensed for cosmetic product.

Ecologically beneficial packaging (recyclable,…)

What is it about?

The use of ecologic paint, lacquer and varnishes is not only good for the environment but also recommended for health reasons. In particular if used indoors, paints should be carefully selected.

Product groups

Low-emission wall paints for indoor and outdoor use

Coatings for wood and metal

Hint

Planning before coating: Only buy the quantities that you actually need. Appropriate wood and construction may help you to reduce significantly the use of wood protection coatings. Inform yourself about the most suitable product for your application.

After the work: Paint remains will last longer if kept in well-closed containers turned upside down.

Criteria

Criteria include various components (pigments, conservation agents, …) and their impact on the environment and human health. They include the formaldehyde and solvent level, the water toxicity level and quantity necessary (for Do-it-yourself products). Products also have to be available in various packaging sizes.

What is it about ?

These are often used only once, end up in the toilet or the rubbish bin after use and so are lost to the paper life cycle.

Product groups

Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, kitchen roll, serviettes, cleaning cloths, cosmetic wipes and covering papers.

Hint

Use fabric napkins, tablecloths and handkerchiefs that can be washed after use. Avoid printed and brightly coloured hygiene paper products that can only be used once. This helps to save resources. Use dispensers for toilet paper and paper towels in public toilets or the workplace. This can reduce the use of hygiene paper products. The use of paper towels can be avoided by using hand dryers or washable fabric towels – but these require electricity and regular maintenance.

Criteria

Shop Green hygiene paper products are made entirely from recycled paper and so help to conserve natural resources. Hygiene paper products made from new fibres (i.e. cellulose from trees), on the other hand, often result from deforestation of primeval woodland or come from massive forestry plantations (monocultures with high pesticide use).

Wet wipes are not treated in the campaign because they are not usually made of recycled material and cause problems in the waste water treatment plant.