Sustainable vs Green: Differences in Eco-Friendly Foods

Over the years, terminology to communicate if something is environmentally friendly has changed. Companies have advertised things as “eco,” “green,” and most recently, “sustainable.” But what are the differences between sustainable vs green? 

Often the terms are used interchangeably, especially on packaging. However, there are nuanced differences between green and sustainable that can significantly impact our planet and health. This post will help you differentiate between green products and sustainable products so you can make sustainable food choices. 

Sustainable vs Green: The Definitions

While “green” and “sustainable” are often used interchangeably, there's a key distinction between the two terms. Understanding the definitions of sustainable vs green foods allows you to understand their distinct characteristics and benefits. The main difference between the two is that green products focus on environmental impact. Sustainable products focus on a set of practices.

Green Products

A green product focuses on minimizing environmental impact through reduced resource consumption, waste generation, and pollution, often emphasizing renewable resources and energy efficiency. Typically, these products are made with natural ingredients and focus on minimizing their environmental impact throughout their lifecycle.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that the manufacturing sector is accountable for a significant portion of environmental emissions and pollutants. The federal government also sets high standards and recommendations for green products based on their ability to limit toxic exposures, air pollution, water pollution, climate change, ozone depletion, natural resource use (energy, water, materials), Waste disposal, and ecosystem damages.

Common examples of green products include items made from upcycled ingredients, recycled plastic or paper, energy-efficient appliances with high Energy Star ratings, and organic produce grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Green food practices, in particular, emphasize minimizing environmental impact through organic agriculture, local produce, zero waste packaging, and minimizing pollution and transportation. This often involves prioritizing renewable resources like solar energy for operations and focusing on energy-efficient practices throughout the supply chain. Green products can be sustainable, but not all green practices are sustainable.

By making informed choices about green products, consumers can play a significant role in promoting environmentally responsible practices. A minimal impact on the environment is a key step to creating sustainable products. 

Sustainable Products:

While “green” products often focus on minimizing environmental impact, a truly sustainable product goes beyond that. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a product or service can only be considered sustainable if it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This includes things like human health, carbon emissions, social issues, and responsibility for using raw materials. 

The primary difference between green and sustainable products is that sustainable practices take a holistic approach. Sustainable products account for social responsibility, environmental quality, and accountability through corporate responsibility. The United Nations has created a list of Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, which encompass seventeen different sustainability goals intended to end poverty, protect the planet, and create a peaceful world for everyone.

This requires a holistic approach that considers the environmental, social, and economic aspects of the product's entire life cycle. Sustainable products are not just environmentally friendly but also economically viable and socially responsible. This includes factors like fair labor practices throughout the supply chain, resource efficiency, and minimizing waste. Social aspects can also include things like giving back to the community, fair wages, and leaving the community better than you found it. 

“Green products can be sustainable, but not all green practices are sustainable.”

Sustainable vs Green: The Importance of Each

While there are differences between sustainable and green food products, there are important elements of each. 

Green products started when environmentalists advocated for change for our planet. They address climate change, reducing pollution, and conserving natural resources. Green products have evolved to promote biodiversity and are increasingly promoting non-toxic, eco-friendly practices. 

Sustainable foods focus on leaving the planet better than they found it. Things like sustainable organic farming practices are evolving to include biological pest control methods and soil restoration. There’s an emphasis on water and biodiversity conservation and maintaining a natural environment and ecological balance within farming ecosystems.

Health & Nutritional Considerations for Sustainable and Green Food Products

Those who promote green products are sticklers for naturality and seek out non-toxic alternatives. Many have health concerns with additives in conventional products, like aluminum, phthalates, and hormone disruptors. While the science in this area is underfunded and not yet widely accepted, there may be some nutritional advantages to regenerative (aka a sustainable farming method) when compared to conventionally produced foods. 

In order to make such claims, though, the Federal Trade Commission has recently committed to substantiating these claims through the new Green Guides to ensure sustainable marketing practices are accurately reflected. If you want to learn more about greenwashing, check out the article I coauthored for Natural Products Insider here. 

Sustainable vs Green Foods: Key Differences

Consumers are increasingly bombarded with terms like “green” and “sustainable,” but the two have distinct meanings.  A helpful analogy comes from the concept of a three-legged stool. As reported by the World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainability is often described as a three-pillar model, with each leg representing the environment, society, and the economy.

A product or practice that focuses solely on environmental impact might be considered “green.”  For example, a company might use recycled materials in its packaging to reduce its environmental footprint, which is a feather in the cap for environmental benefits. However, this practice wouldn't be considered truly sustainable if it comes at a social or economic cost. Perhaps the recycled materials are sourced through unfair labor practices (weakens the social leg), or the recycling process itself is so expensive that the company can't maintain it long-term (weakens the economic leg).

“Green” is a subset of “sustainable.” All sustainable practices are inherently green, but not all green practices are sustainable.  Understanding this distinction is crucial. By making informed choices about the products we buy and the practices we support, we can promote solutions that strengthen all three legs of the sustainability stool, ensuring a better future for all.

​Keep Making Eco-Friendly Food Choices

while “green” products offer a valuable stepping stone by minimizing environmental impact, true sustainability goes much further. Both contribute to a more restorative world, but sustainable options offer the most comprehensive approach. Sustainable foods go beyond environmental impact like green products do to consider social and economic factors, ensuring a truly holistic approach to a resilient food system. Sustainable food choices consider the entire life cycle of a product, ensuring environmental responsibility, social fairness, and economic viability. 

Understanding the distinction between green and sustainable food products is the first step for conscious consumers.  Seek out greener products that address all three pillars of sustainability. , we can collectively create a healthier planet and a brighter future for generations to come. Every meal presents an opportunity to support responsible agriculture, minimize our ecological footprint, and empower positive change for generations to come. By making informed choices about the food we eat, we can collectively cultivate a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.