EcoMetro Criteria

ecometro.com, Chinook Book, Blue Sky Guide, EcoMetro Guide

A central goal of EcoMetro is to provide information on merchants selling products and services that have significantly reduced environmental impacts compared to alternatives, or that support the community in significant ways. The EcoMetro Criteria puts this philosophy into specific guidelines for our print books and our web site. All products and services appearing in any of the EcoMetro print and online products must meet at least one of the following three criteria:

1. Independent Third-Party Certification from reliable third-party certifications, including: organic, Food Alliance, Energy Star, Marine Stewardship Council, Forest Stewardship Council, Green Seal and Fair Trade.

2. First-Party Certification (Self-Certification) applies only for products where specific, well-defined environmental claims are made. The claim must address specific content percentages or totals. Examples include products with recycled materials, low-VOC paints, and dairy products from cows not treated with rBst/rBGH.

3. Substitution Advantage applies on a case-by-case basis for products and services having a significant substitution advantage over the average competitive product or service, or otherwise supports the community in a significant way. Examples include: native plants, reel mowers, hand tools, arts and culture, non-motorized outdoor recreation and locally grown produce.

We believe the EcoMetro Criteria is the most comprehensive, credible and practical criteria used by any publication in the US. We also know it is not perfect and welcome comments and suggestions for improvement. Please email editor@ecometro.com if you’d like to share your comments. We update the criteria annually.

PDF of the EcoMetro Criteria

The original EcoMetro Criteria was developed in 2000 with the Sustainable Development Commission of the City of Portland and Multnomah County, Oregon. The criteria framework was ultimately endorsed by this governmental body and has been maintained and updated every year by Celilo Group Media.