There is a growing awareness of environmental issues. Many businesses are responding to that by shifting their manufacturing and development processes to be more environmentally friendly. Other companies are capitalizing on the trend by promoting themselves as eco-friendly without actually making any real, impactful changes. As a consumer, you need to learn how to tell the two apart. Luckily, there are a few ways you can move past marketing strategies and get to the heart of the matter: whether a product and company is really working to help preserve the environment. Here are five ways to do your part.

1. Learn What Terms Are Regulated

Businesses looking to tap into the eco-friendly market are going to develop sales strategies specific to it. That will likely include the use of terminology designed to attract attention and foster positive impressions. However, not all marketing terms associated with being eco-friendly are regulated. That gives companies free rein to use them no matter what is in their products. The Federal Trade Commission does specify that all marketing claims must be verifiable, so knowing what each one means can help you wade through the murky waters.

2. Research the Company

There are multiple ways you can look into a company to see if they are really operating in an environmentally friendly manner. Start by checking into press releases and company statements about their initiatives and policies. Also, take a look at manufacturing practices and how they are designed to improve the communities involved. See if they have won any awards for sustainability efforts. These are all good ways to get an initial picture but don't just take the company's word for it. Dig a little deeper.

There are third party sites that can give you an idea of how each company compares to other, similar ones. Remember that you may not agree with every position and practice of a company and that no one is perfect all the time. It's often better to make a decision on overall patterns and general behavior than a specific policy.

3. Check Ingredient Labels

Anything that you are going to ingest or put on your body will most likely have an ingredient label. It is your responsibility to read it carefully. Don't just focus on those buzzwords, either. Really read what it says. Look for products that are made with certified organic and fair trade ingredients. The Fair Trade Certified seal indicates a company is committed to improving the social and economic well-being of producers as well as the environment.

4. Look for Specific Claims

Instead of falling for general claims like "green" or "natural," look for ones that are more specific. Claims like "made from 100% recycled material" or "produced in a zero-waste facility" are much more specific and verifiable. They also make it easier for you to buy products that share your values, whether it is in using certified organic ingredients or reducing waste.

5. Know Which Certifications Really Matter

You will see all sorts of seals and certifications posted on labeling. However, they don't all mean the same thing. In fact, some are little more than unsubstantiated claims to make a product look more environmentally friendly than it really is. There are some certifications that do actually carry weight. Look for these when shopping to ensure that a company you are planning to support has put in the time, effort and resources to make the planet a better place.

Buying environmentally conscious products is a simple way to make a difference in the planet's future. Researching companies and looking for specific claims and industry-recognized certifications to support eco-friendly claims ensures the products you buy really are eco-friendly.