Growingup greener

Forest protection strengthened

Familiar face for new video

Pass the hemp

Innovator of the year

news from environmental choice new zealandnews from environmental choice new zealand

autumn 2014

ecommunicationecommunication

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The future of“It means integrity.” That simple, straightforward

comment to me from Croxley's Tony de Felice at

the 2014 stakeholders’ meeting sums up the

strength of the Environmental Choice symbol on a

product or service. It reflects the consumer trust

level once again evidenced in our latest Colmar

Brunton survey: no other New Zealand-based

ecolabel surveyed is trusted more than

Environmental Choice. The label continues to have

a positive influence on most purchase decisions

wherever it is seen and recognised.

According to Cottonsoft Country Manager Kim

Calvert, his company investigated the ecolabels in

the market and found one thing set Environmental

Choice apart. “It's recognition. We found that two

thirds of our consumers recognised the

Environmental Choice logo. It was higher than any

other of the certification logos that we tested”.

This brings me to question why all licensees are not

emblazoning their products with the well-

recognised and trusted seal of Environmental

Choice. Most will attest that the mark is not easily

won, so that success is worth promoting. While the

logo focuses the mind of the buyer, many licensees

tell us that the benefits surely go further – the

symbol, we are told, stands internally and externally

as a beacon for their ethical company culture,

meaning sustainability, safety and health are

embodied in their ethos.

As the baby boomers pass the “mass consumer”

baton on to Gen Y, there is empirical evidence that

sustainability is a strong and increasing motivation

for their lifestyles and spending. International

market research shows that their choice of service

providers, even in services such as banks and

airlines, is significantly influenced by the perception

of sustainability. So, this adds another question:

why are eco-ethical service companies from all

sectors not advancing their next-generation appeal

with the relatively straightforward process of

assessment to be an Environmental Choice “Green

Office”. Approval comes with the right to use the

influential and well-recognised logo (duly

annotated) on all office-originated documents and

imagery that brand their business. Along the way

it provides a confidential, coached experience to

engage and focus staff in their environmentally

better office operations.

The choices made by Generations X, Y and

Millennials, as they demand responsible services,

from government, commerce and manufacturing,

will form part of the solution to our obviously

growing global and Pacific environmental

challenges. Environmental Choice is working to

address its message to these future-holders. I

believe they are grasping a truth that sadly still

evades some older tenants of their planet - that

sustainability refers not just to objects and services,

but to life itself. Let's show them the planet-and-

tick symbol clearly and proudly, facilitating their

inclination to make an environmental choice.

Michael Hooper

Editor

environmental .org.nzchoice

trust

EDITORIAL

Go Green Expo The consumer and trade show is in Auckland over

the weekend 4-6 April, and includes some ECNZ

product providers. We would like to thank the

organisers for their offer to discount the show entry

price by 50 percent for Environmental Choice

newsletter readers – simply enter the promo code

“Friend” when buying tickets on-line from

www.gogreenexpo.co.nz. The show will be in

Wellington 7-9 November, and plans to visit

Christchurch next year, says organiser Damien

Hochberg.

New SBN Directory The Sustainable Business Network is due to launch

its new-look member directory which allocates

space for full profiles on-line in the SBN website.

They are requesting that sustainability-related

certifications be listed and ECNZ members should

indicate this and request the logo placement for

any relevant products. Fiona Stephenson is the

contact ( ).ona@sustainable.org.nz

Reaching Out As part of the ongoing outreach of the label,

Robin Taylor made a presentation to staff at the

New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority

[EPA], on Ecolabelling in general and Environmental

Choice New Zealand specifically. He says there was

a desire to understand the programme more clearly,

and how it benefits the Environment.

A group of over thirty staff took time out to attend.

“The number of and quality of questions was a

good reflection of their understanding and certainly

confirmed their interest,” says Robin. Accompanied

on his Wellington visits by account manager

Francesca Lipscombe, Robin has also updated other

government agencies, including sections of MFAT

and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and

Employment. “We are delighted that more and

more people in Government are gaining a greater

insight into the programme,” he reports.

Clean Ideas The April edition of Green Ideas magazine is full of

environmental tips, and includes a test of

dishwashing powders, among which are

Environmental Choice certified products. Be sure to

read the results, says editor Greg Roughan, “to see

which eco-dishwash powders that we tested

actually work!”. The issue also looks at how you can

build a house for $24,000 (not a typo!) and

discovers a waterless washing machine. Among the

innovations revealed is a new battery that's made

from moss.

NEWS

Meetthe new

buyerbuyerBusinesses need to provide for the increasing needs, desires and purchasing power of Gen Y, says Colmar Brunton chief executive Jacqueline Ireland.

Businesses need to provide for the increasing needs, desires and purchasing power of Gen Y, says Colmar Brunton chief executive Jacqueline Ireland.

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Gen Y-ers (now aged 13 to 29) will increasingly be

the people we deal with in marketing and

procurement. And they are different, perhaps in a

good way, suggests recent New Zealand research.

“They are increasingly aware of their impact on the

world, and choosing the sustainable option,” says

Colmar Brunton chief executive Jacqueline Ireland.

Her comments coincide with the research

company's latest findings that Environmental

Choice continues to positively influence the

purchasing decisions of New Zealanders aged 18

years and over. The message is clear, says ECNZ

account manager Francesca Lipscombe. “If you

want to grow your product and service into

coming generations of consumers, you need to

match their expectations of sustainability, and trust

for that is firmly signified for New Zealanders by

the logo of Environmental Choice.”

Six out of ten New Zealanders who see and

recognise the label of Environmental Choice are

more likely to choose the product over others,

finds Colmar Brunton. This result (February 2014)

is similar to the findings of two years earlier.

The latest survey reinforced that consumers

perceive ECNZ to be more trustworthy than any

other New Zealand-based ecolabel, with a similar

level of trust to the iconic Fair Trade label. Indeed,

ECNZ was seen as a stronger environmental

guarantee than even the respected, international

Energy Star label. “Providing a strong

environmental guarantee is an area where ECNZ

tops the list of leading brands,” says Colmar

Brunton.

Ms Ireland says New Zealand is witnessing the

beginning of a "seismic generational shift" that

would continue to drive sustainability. "Being

sustainable is the choice of Gen Y," she said. "It is a

generation that will rival the size of the boomers,

and their decades of heaviest consumption are still

ahead of them." More than three-quarters of the

group bought “eco-friendly” cleaning products.

The sustainability survey showed that 62 percent of

Gen Y-ers were happy to pay a slight premium

more for ethically produced products and 95

percent of them wanted all environmental and

sustainability information when making a purchase.

In the general population there was even greater

willingness to pay a bit more (61 percent).

Sustainability has become more mainstream.

“Businesses must cater to Kiwis' growing

sustainability concerns or be left behind,” says

Colmar Brunton.

Paper made with hemp, stone, mushrooms and

bamboo is being given attention as we propose

toughening up standards for awarding the

Environmental Choice seal of approval to paper

products.

Alternatives to wood fibre, such as hemp,

mushrooms, bamboo, straw, bagasse (sugar cane

waste fibre) and minerals bring additional, new

concerns which are covered in proposed changes.

Bamboo is becoming more popular as a fibre, and

we are paying attention to the habitat it forms for a

number of endangered species such as the Giant

Panda, Mountain gorilla, many species of Amazon

birdlife and the bamboo lemur. Some species of

bamboo are themselves threatened.

Overall, the proposed changes will clarify and firm

up the exacting position of Environmental Choice

regarding the harvesting, milling and further

processing of paper pulp, in order to safeguard the

environment. “Poor forest management leads to

destruction of valuable ecosystems, and the draft

changes reflect this concern. We want to raise the

level of evidence we will accept from paper

manufacturers who wish to have product certified

in New Zealand as better for the environment.”

Sustainable management of forests is an issue of

much concern and debate internationally. The

revision also reaffirms the label's position on vague

terms such as “biodegradable” which may now be

seen as simply greenwash, unless given further

definition such as “readily biodegradable”.

The Ecolabelling Trust has been seeking public,

expert and industry comment. The revisions cover

packaging, cardboard, newsprint, hygiene and

office papers and stationery.

Pass the hempbut only if it’s

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green

FilmRock

Rock Star could well be the name for the Stone

Paper Company's product, judging by media

forays which extend from the glam of Las Vegas to

the animated world of a single Kiwi cow

determined to make a difference!

The waterproof paper makers made a big splash in

the party world of Aqua Cabana magazine, whose

models enjoyed pool-proof reading (pictured). It's

the waterproof quality of the rich mineral paper

that has made it favoured for outdoor printing

such as tourist maps in New Zealand.

Director Alan Good comments, “stone paper saved

over 20 million trees from being cut last year, and

135 billion gallons of fresh water was saved. No

solid, airborne or water borne waste was

generated, and waste stone was utilised for raw

material, with no acid, base or bleach or optical

brighteners used.” He adds that the paper is

comprised of 81 percent stone powder (CaCO3), is

photo-degradable and creates no toxic smoke if

burned.

Meantime, back on the Kiwi farm, 12-year-old

Sarah Risdale (left with director Andrew Adamson

and Alan Good) has won a Rockstock-sponsored

prize for animated drama with a cute short

animated film “Cows and Cleaner Dairying”.

Presented at the end of last year, the two-minute

film won a category in The Outlook for Someday

film festival, which is also supported by ECNZ

licensee The EcoStore.

Paper

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New Zealand’s firstNet Zero Energy

commercial buildingThe installation of 48 solar panels on the roof of

the Freeman's Bay (Auckland) building which

houses the ecostore retail shop is resulting in New

Zealand's first net zero energy commercial

building, says the company's research and

development manager, Huia Iti.

The building will run entirely on power from solar

panels designed to generate over 17,500 kWh a

year. The tenants will not be required to change

their electricity usage behaviour to achieve the net

zero energy result. The early stages of the project

highlighted areas where further savings could be

made so there is the possibility that the building

could become a net positive energy building.

Ecostore's not-for-profit arm, Fairground

Foundation, has been instrumental in this project

coming to life, says founder and owner Malcolm

Rands. “The Fairground Foundation has been set

up to take on projects that have traditionally been

seen as too hard, making them commercially viable

and then passing the learning back to the general

community. This project fits in perfectly, and has

taken over 14 months”.

A fixed monthly fee is all that is required for the

solar services, says Jon Ramage, the building's joint

landlord. “We look upon this investment as a

commercially viable long term solution that costs

no more than purchasing the same amount of

power from the local grid. In addition I believe it

adds value to the building.”

The system allows solar power to be intelligently

integrated into energy supplier Vector's electricity

network. By combining solar panels with battery

storage and a smart control system, the energy

produced from the panels can be stored and used

both when it is needed in the building and during

times of peak network demand. The batteries also

provide a measure of resilience with some backup

in the unlikely event of a grid outage.

Vector currently operates a solar pilot residential

programme with a limited number of Auckland

homeowners, one of which is the Rands' own

household. Vector CEO Simon Mackenzie says his

company is leading in this area. “In New Zealand

now, the cost of solar continues to fall. Our

research shows that giving people real time

feedback about their usage leads to lower

consumption.”

“We've been solar energy efficient at home, carbon

neutral at the ecostore East Tamaki factory, and

now carbon positive (in summer) at ecostore. It's a

great feeling to know you are doing the right

thing,” says Malcolm Rands.

e

By coincidence, it was Ash Wednesday when the

Trust released details of a draft specification for the

“End of Life (ICT)”. By another coincidence, a recent

movie (“Her”) dealt with the relationship that can

develop between a person and their operating

system, but the ASCI to Ashes scenario addressed

by this draft will help many companies deal with

the day when DOS turns to dust, as their computer

is consigned to the eco afterlife.

Until now, New Zealand has not had a locally-

based, trusted certification to help consumers and

businesses decide whom they can trust to dispose

of their IT equipment, taking full account of its

earthly legacy. Now, in the face of rising WEEE

(waste electronic and electrical equipment),

Environmental Choice is coming to the rescue.

The NZ Ecolabelling Trust is asking equipment

users to virtually make a will for their PC or other

ICT device before it shuffles off its transformer coil,

by choosing a responsible e-undertaker. Candidate

companies will be able to undergo assessment of

their practices, including the complete disposal

chain, and if passed they can display the

Environmental Choice certification showing that IT

in their care is recycled or retired in peace. The

draft is open for submission until mid April, then,

after consideration of comments, a scheme will be

set in stone to bring closure to those who want

certainty about the environmental life-after-death

of their I.T. equipment.

The death of a device is a serious business.

The Ministry for the Environment says e-waste

(WEEE) is the fastest growing type of city waste in

the world, but it's also a resource from which to

recover valuable resources. Desktop and notebook

computers alone in New Zealand accounted for

five million sales between 1994 and 2007, and

many of these will be on their last legs.

Arsenic, asbestos, chlorine, cobalt, lead and

mercury are just a few of the damaging substances

that may be in electronic waste. The leaching of

these materials into the environment is absolutely

toxic to planet and people. We are talking cancer,

spleen, liver and heart damage. Without controlled

disposal and verified chain of custody during

removal, recycling or destruction, this mounting e-

waste has the potential to be a major human

health hazard and to burden or poison the

environment at some point.

Although there are more hazards than those in

computing equipment, the proposed standard

specifically addresses ICT devices. Environmental

Choice has worked to form a draft standard which

should be achievable for IT disposers and recyclers,

and be effective in defining an environmentally

better bereavement for gadgets past their use-by

date. Then New Zealand will have an answer to the

age-old question - at least in terms of I.T. - about

that final journey and the end of life-cycle.

approachesThe end of life

It's a house that won't need heaters. Murray and Lee Ann Durbin hope to complete their 8 Homestar-rated IDEAL house in Auckland in May this year. Environmental Choice products are, of course, among its chosen materials making it look stunning and helping its energy-efficient environment. Airtight construction is one of the reasons they will need very little power from the grid with a planned minimum 20 degree internal temperature achieved naturally throughout the seasons.

Murray was introduced to passive houses and the airtight concept seven years ago, and he's an evangelist for the membrane-sealed concept. “In many respects we're far behind the rest of the world,” he says, as he prepares for the blow test that will prove his “air worthiness”. Without being air tight, homes in many countries cannot receive a code of compliance certificate. Most New Zealand homes “leak air like sieves,” says Murray, who went into the building industry from school.

Firth's ECNZ Enviro-crete is the key component of their inventive building platform which is vital to the building's performance. Naturally ECNZ products are being considered for the kitchen and wall interiors, and Dulux paints are turning the outside into a show stopper.

The couple and their children, currently aged three and six years, will be sharing their lives with the world for the next two years as they hold regular “open home sessions. “One of the reasons we are doing this is to help New Zealanders build better houses,” says Murray.

IDEAL house stars

ECNZ

“Boy next door” Matt Gibb is stepping outside his “Tech in a Sec” television role to help the label bring the urgency of making environmental choices to a younger audience. “I think it's fantastic what Environmental Choice is doing, and I want to help in any way I can,” Matt told the annual stakeholder meeting, via a video link to a field where he was filming a new series, 'There and Back' for TVNZ's Heartland channel.

Since his early days as a children's TV host he has been occasional host of Good Morning, the Lotto draw and produced and presented U Live, so his face is well known to younger audiences. Matt is very conscious of recycling and the environment generally.

The short film explaining the need for transparent and authoritative eco-labels, and profiling ECNZ, will be made available to environmentally aware schools, and will also be edited for YouTube so it can be linked to both the ECNZ and licensee websites. A version will be available to licensees for inclusion in their sales training. It is expected to be available later in the year.

productssceneGreen in a

NEWS

Dexion speaks volumes - quietly

Library shelving by Dexion has been integral to the

renewal of Sydney University's largest library

facility. The Fisher Library was opened in 1963

when the university had 14,000 students. With that

number now around 50,000, making 1.3 million

visits a year, the renewal project presented huge

logistical challenges for relocating and returning

books and upgrading their shelving.

Pictured is the Faculty of Law library with their

ECNZ certified shelving that was completed in

2009. This led to involvement in the Fisher library

over 2012 and 2013, says product manager Nick

Sangwine.

You are invited to join the conversations on the

Environmental Choice LinkedIn group. This has

been established to provide licensees, and others

interested in ecolabelling, with the opportunity to

discuss and debate all things sustainable. It offers

a forum to share the many successes of our

licensees here in New Zealand and to bring to your

attention relevant and interesting news from

around the globe.

The group was established in February and has

grown steadily, especially in the last month, to a

membership of over 50. In order to maintain

control, and ensure the privacy of members, the

group is invitation-only, with requests for

membership being reviewed by the manager.

The missing Linked

eNew companions are welcome at:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Environmental-Choice-

New-Zealand-6605407/about

With river and creek water degradation high in

public awareness, and also the subject of recent

warnings from the Parliamentary Commissioner for

the Environment, it's time to toughen up further on

products that put unnecessary chemicals literally

into the waste stream. We've done just that by

imposing further limits on the washing, laundry

and cleaning products that can bear the

Environmental Choice sign.

The changes include a ban on phosphates and

controlling the use of palm oil and palm kernel oil

where it cannot be proven sustainable. The

standards also prohibit or limit concentrations of

many chemicals, such as those used to create

smells such as “lemon fresh” or musk, and

brighteners used to create a “whiter than whiter”

appearance. Where terms like “natural” or “plant

based” are used, they must be explained. All

plastic packaging must be recyclable.

The changes have been made after consultation

with manufacturers, says Robin Taylor. “That shows

there is a genuine desire to face these issues. Not

all products that presently carry or aim to carry the

label will meet the new standards but producers

are aware that Environmental Choice must operate

at the top of technology and environmental rigour.

The consumer trusts this label more than any other

New Zealand ecolabel and we intend to honour

that trust.”

Any presently licensed general cleaning products,

laundry detergents and hand dishwashing

detergents that may not immediately meet the new

standards are being given 12 months to

reformulate if necessary.

Protection strengthened for

forests &waters

We're pulling the plug on detergents that have serious negative environmental effects.

Independent environmental scientists examined

every new Environmental Choice ecolabel holder

to assess innovation in environmental benefits,

the changes they made in order to meet the

label's stringent standards, the ingenuity of their

label application, and the thoroughness of their

dealings with the ecolabel. “Cottonsoft scored

well ahead of many other very worthy label

holders,” notes Robin Taylor. “They were

especially impressive in their willingness to

embed changes that put them in the forefront of

environmental practice.”

Cottonsoft gained approval to carry the

Environmental Choice seal on its toilet tissue in

May last year, after far-reaching and rigorous

assessments. This involved helicopter

surveillance and on-the-ground checking of

forests off-shore where the company sources its

wood for paper pulp, says Robin.

The level of authenticity demanded by all the

ecolabel's standards is a reflection of its

international reputation as a tough, transparent,

and respected member of the Global

Ecolabelling Network (GEN).

New Zealanders trust the Environmental Choice

certification, says Robin, because it questions in

minute detail the significant environmental

impacts of a product from the raising of the

components through to their final return to the

planet. “Our seal is absolutely robust, its

investigations process is without favour, and is

not easily attained. To have Cottonsoft

independently awarded as the most innovative

Environmental Choice new licensee of the year

further backs the authenticity of their impressive

and compelling environmental commitment.”

Country manager Kim Calvert (pictured above

with ECNZ Chair Richard Tong) accepted the

certificate at the annual stakeholders' briefing,

and commented how valuable the process and

awarding of the license had been in the

company's relationships with its suppliers. He

also believes Environmental Choice offers a

unique endorsement, well-recognised by

consumers. “We looked at the market to see

what set the Environmental Choice standard

apart, and that is consumer recognition. It's a

third-party endorsement that our business does

operate sustainably. It also helps us achieve a

consistent environmental focus and we use it as

the basis for our product development.”

Innovator of the yearCottonsoft, a paper company that has reviewed and verified its supply chain “right down to the last tree”, has received our annual innovation award for 2014.

A recent television commercial for Cottonsoft

features the Environmental Choice seal.

e

Queen speaksQueen speaksKnown as the Queen of Productivity, Debbie Mayo-Smith

shared her tips for reducing wasted office effort with the

gathered licensees at Eden Park in February. Debbie

especially addressed the email overload we all seem to

suffer, and gave away copies of her book on the subject.

“I did find the meeting useful and interesting, said

Michelle Thompson, who attended for auditors Lynch

Phibbs. “Debbie Mayo-Smith had some great tips for

everyone. The venue is great and the food is yummy.”

For those who couldn't attend, there will be exerpts of

Debbie's presentation made available shortly via the ECNZ

website and through her own site www.successis.co.nz.

Robin Taylor spoke of the need to energise eco-marketing

of licensee brands by using the ecolabel, while Michael

Hooper outlined the marketing philosophy and the need

for using “the buzz” of social media to spread and amplify

the stakeholder value from the label.

Cabinet Minister and Auckland MP Nikki Kaye

sprinted into Les Mills on the cusp of Christmas to

present the company with a plaque to mark New

Zealand's first Green Office. Les Mills were also

first out of the blocks with Fitness Centre licences

for four of their gyms.

“Les Mills has a proud history of being an

environmental champion and a leader over a long

period of time,” said Nikki Kaye, adding how easy it

is to underestimate the work that has to go into

bringing a supply chain along on the

environmental journey. “For some people it's quite

a big shift.”

Presenting the brass plaque to Les Mills general

manager Dione Forbes (pictured, left) the Minister

revealed that, like many Kiwis, she is no stranger to

fitness regimes.

“There are many New Zealanders who feel

passionate about the environment. Those

organisations and businesses that can win in the

future are those that hold their heads up high with

their values. This is an absolutely natural fit for

what the gym is; it's a real tribute to the

organisation and to the staff here that you are the

first official Green Office in New Zealand,” she told

staff. “I think it's great that it is in the heart of

Auckland, one of our most intensified areas, that

we see Les Mills leading the way from an

environmental perspective. Being the first official

Green Office is something that no-one can take

away from Les Mills, ever.”

The first media organisation to commit to the

Green Office assessment is also based in the

Auckland area.

Green muscles

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Environmental Choice certified products are

helping add Homestar rating points from floor to

ceiling, says the NZ Green Building Council which

operates the scheme. Homestar is the only

residential rating tool that evaluates the

environmental attributes and performance

efficiency of New Zealand homes. The rating can

be used as a guide to build greener homes above

existing code (which is an equivalent 4 Homestar

rating), while providing long-term benefits in

saving energy and water usage. The scale extends

to 10 stars.

“Our rating system is used by trained professionals

to verify the warmth, dryness, comfort and

performance parameters of the home,” says

Homestar Director Leigh Featherstone (right). “It

can be considered in the design phase for new

builds and for major renovations. The certified built

rating can then be used to demonstrate a value

premium above the building code, which could be

particularly useful when selling.”

An increasing number of good examples of high

quality, sustainable homes are coming to market,

including three new more affordable homes at

Hobsonville Point, recently unveiled by Housing

Minister Nick Smith, that are 6 Homestar – and

priced at $450,000. “There's a commonly-held

myth that you can't build sustainable, high-

performing homes to meet a modest budget.

These homes disprove that – they're high quality,

sustainable and affordable,” says Leigh

Featherstone.

“Auckland faces real issues in terms of home

affordability. These houses tackle that on two

fronts – not only are they priced reasonably, but at

6 Homestar they'll cost less to live in for years to

come, with lower energy and water costs. They'll

also be warm and dry, so won't contribute to

health issues which can affect family wellbeing and

become costly.”

Among the sustainability features which contribute

to the Homestar rating are the specification and

use of responsibly sourced eco-preferred materials

that have a lower environmental impact. Homestar

uses third party verification of product, such as the

ECNZ eco-label, to confirm compliance.

Products that have the relevant ECNZ rating

include slab-edge, ceiling and wall insulation,

plasterboard, NZ Steel and low VOC (volatile

organic compound) finishes such as certified

paints. Other sustainable features that have

contributed to the 6 Homestar rating include heat

pump water heating, energy-efficient lighting

(CFLs) with no downlights, rainwater tanks

plumbed into the laundry and water-efficient

toilets, low E glazing, and the recycling of 70

percent of construction waste.

For advice on improvements for existing home

owners, a service is provided via a membership

program, myHomestar, which costs $15 for an annual

subscrip�on. You can register here.

Stars from slabto ceiling

General manager Robin Taylor: robin (at) environmentalchoice.org.nz

Account manager Francesca Lipscombe: francesca (at) environmentalchoice.org.nz

Executive assistant Alex Williams: alex (at) environmentalchoice.org.nz

Communications: Michael Hooper: media (at) environmentalchoice.org.nz

PO Box 56-533, Mt Eden, Auckland 1446, New Zealand. Phone +64 (0)9 845 3330

ecommunication is prepared by Spotlight Creative MediaWorks spotlightmedia@clear.net.nz

Environmental Choice New Zealand is operated by the NZ Ecolabelling Trust for the people and government of New Zealand.

The trust receives no government funding.

Proudly a member of the Global Ecolabelling Network, it is a “type 1" ecolabel as defined by the ISO, developing and using the world’s

strongest environmental performance standards to independently test products and services seeking to carry its seal.

Environmental Choice is the most trusted New Zealand based ecolabel (Colmar Brunton survey 2014).