Our mission at Think 2100 is to encourage socially responsible consumption.  This often means consuming less, but also means making the right choices when we buy.  Our purpose is to promote products that help us to reduce our impact on the environment and that are produced under fair trade or fair labor conditions.  We do not claim to "certify" products that we promote because we do not carry out on-site inspections of facilities or test products to confirm that our merchants' claims are true.  However, we do use the following criteria and methods of verification to determine which products to list on our site. 

By eco-friendly products, we mean products that do one or more of the following:

• conserve energy or water
• help users to conserve energy or water by monitoring its use
• use renewable energies such as solar or wind power
• are made of salvaged, recycled, or rapidly renewable material
• are created through a production process that is notable in its conservation of energy or use of renewable energy
• do not use or emit harmful chemicals
• remove harmful chemicals or prevent them from coming into contact with people

Clothing products that are listed on our site must be made from organic natural fiber, hemp, silk, or recycled or re-purposed natural fiber.  In cases where these materials are not suitable, for example in rain gear, we accept recycled polyester.  We do not list bamboo rayon clothing because of the environmental impact of the harsh chemicals currently used to process bamboo fiber.   For further explanation of why we promote primarily organic natural and hemp fabric clothing, see Eco Fashion Fabrics and Is Bamboo Fabric Eco-Friendly? 

Products listed under our health and beauty category must include a list of all ingredients and either 1) include certified organic ingredients, or 2) be given a hazard score of 2 or less (low) by the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database.  For further explanation of our reasons for adopting these criteria, see Natural Makeup and Personal Care Products.  

By socially responsible products, we mean goods that are produced under fair labor practices as defined by standards set forth by the Ethical Trading Initiative. These stipulate that 

• employment is freely chosen
• the right to collective bargaining is respected
• working conditions are safe and hygienic
• child labor is not used
• living wages are paid
• working hours are not excessive
• discrimination is not practiced
• regular employment is provided
• inhumane treatment is not allowed

In order to verify that products listed on our site are made in compliance with these standards, we first review fair labor policies published by our merchants and their suppliers.  If this published information does not confirm that the above standards are being followed, we request written confirmation from the merchant or supplier.  We also accept full membership in Green America, the Fair Trade Federation, or the World Fair Trade Organization as confirmation that these standards are being followed.  In addition, we check  the Green America Responsible Shopper database to check for violations of fair labor practices by companies or their suppliers.   

Products listed under our fair trade category must meet the following additional criteria.  They must either be 1) certified by an FLO-approved organization, such Transfair USA, or 2) be manufactured or sold by companies or organizations that have been approved by the Fair Trade Federation or World Fair Trade Organization.  We use the term "fair labor" for companies that embrace the above standards, but have not received Fair Trade certification or third-party fair trade approval.  If you would like to know more about Fair Trade, why it was started, and whether it is successful, see our series of articles on Fair Trade Coffee.

Visit the Think 2100 Blog for further information and resources to help you identify authentically green products.