Sustainability is becoming a big factor in how many people shop for goods and services across a variety of industries and if this is important in your decisions, understanding how to choose the right brands can help you achieve that goal. Making the change to more organic, healthy and sustainable purchases can mean a lot of initial research on the companies, products and ingredients in question, but it also means understanding what each of those terms means for each industry and in comparison with current technology. It is important to remember that your purchases will never be perfect in these areas as the brands and technology are still growing and innovating better practices.

Research the Ingredients

Researching the ingredients and materials in the products you purchase for sustainable, organic and healthy practices means understanding what each one adds to the product as well as how it is produced and manufactured. For example, if you search for organic health and weight loss products, you are bound to find Thrive patches and shakes. This means it is important to ask what is Thrive and how organic and healthy are the company’s practices. You can find much of this information through the company’s website and third party reviews as well as guidance for further research. This can show you how the crops were raised and harvested, how they are processed for consumption and even what the brand’s values are.

Know the Brand’s Reputation for Quality

More brands are focusing on improving quality as well as sustainability to gain and retain customers. The better a product performs to expectations, the more likely you, as a consumer, will purchase it again. Knowing that a brand uses quality materials which are produced sustainably will only go so far when your expensive new shoes wear out after a month. This means that once you have a short list of brands using the best materials and ingredients, you should research their reputation for quality. Other customers are quick to point out defects in shipping or manufacturing on feedback sites and many shopping portals will show you how each item is ranked.

Track Sustainability Progress

In the last few years, most brands have made a statement on their website or in the press about how they are working towards going green, using sustainable practices and providing organic healthy products. Not every brand has followed up on those statements with tangible actions, however, so looking into how they have evolved practices since the announcement can give you a good idea on their commitment to those values. Offering digital copies for receipts and newsletters, encouraging sustainable farming practices along their supply lines and even cutting ties with companies who do not share the same commitments are good signs that your favorite brands are walking the walk.

Understand Labels and Terms

Understanding what the label “organic” means can help you search out the best products and services to purchase. In the US, for example, this certification can be costly, so some farmers who use the practices will not be certified. Products which are not completely made of agricultural ingredients can be certified organic if they have ninety-five percent or more organic ingredients, which means that a soap with only eighty percent may be organic enough for your tastes, but not certified. This understanding can help you find companies you want to partner with but have not been certified or whose products do not contain agricultural ingredients in enough quantities.

Moving your purchasing habits to more sustainable, organic and healthy products can mean a lot of research to get it right but putting your money where your values are can pay off in a big way. More brands are moving to practices which are better for the environment and for their customers while still providing quality products and services.