Buying eco-friendly products has never been easier: you can't visit a brick-and-mortar or online store without finding goods touting their environmental benefits. Of course, you may find this abundance of green products a bit confusing: how do you know that your purchase contributes to protecting and sustaining the natural resources on which we all depend? Can't any manufacturer just call their product green, or natural, or organic? To some degree, yes which is why we've created this guide for you. If you want to spend your money on products that, at the very least, don't create more ecological damage, and perhaps even pay a premium to do so, you want to make sure you're getting the real deal. Here are some things to consider and look for when you're shopping.

First, do you really need to buy this product? You may be thinking "Huh? Aren't you guys selling green products? Why would you tell me not to buy something?" Even while we're offering you opportunities to buy products with a lighter environmental footprint than many of their counterparts, as environmentalists, we know that often the greenest product is the one you don't buy. It requires no materials (green or otherwise), no energy for manufacturing or transportation, and no disposal.

That doesn't mean you have to adopt a monastic lifestyle to live green; it does mean you want to be mindful of the purchases you make. Does the gift you give to a friend or family member need to be a thing you buy? What about cooking them a nice meal (of local, organic foods), spending time with them in an activity they enjoy, or providing a service for them? Is it necessary to buy new furniture for your living room remodel, or could you recover or otherwise alter what you already have? Could you reformat the existing hard drive of you computer, clean out old files and useless programs, and still install that new operating system? In each of these cases, youll not only make a greener choice, but you'll likely save yourself money.

Still, there are products we need, and, sometimes, there arethings we just want. There's no need to feel guilty about making purchases just make sure they represent your values, and the broader goals you have for living with less impact on the Earth.

Making purchases based on a life cycle mindset

Our consumer culture encourages us only to consider the direct price of a product, and its immediate usefulness to us. You may not be used to thinking about where a product comes from, or what happens to it once you're no longer using it (and, likely, have disposed of it). If you're really interested in greening your purchases, though, these questions are critical. As you're evaluating a product for purchase, ask yourself:

• What do I know (or can I find out) about a products origins? What materials that go into it? What processes are used to manufacture it? Where is it manufactured,  and how far does it have to be transported to the point of sale?

• How will this products use benefit me and the environment? Is it designed to be used up and thrown away, or will it last me a long time? Will using it create potential health hazards? Is it energy efficient? Water efficient? Are potentially harmful effects counterbalanced or outweighed by the benefits it creates?

• What will happen to this product once I'm through using it? Is it recyclable? Could it be disassembled so parts can be reused in new products? If its not going to become material for new products, can it be easily and beneficially absorbed back into the natural world?

So, what do I look for to answer these questions?

In terms of a products origins, you may want to consider:

Is it organic? Are any plant-based ingredients grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides? Do the growers of these ingredients use ecosystem-based processes to control pests and maximize the harvest?

• Will it affect my family's health? Will this product off-gas volatile organic compounds or other toxic fumes? Could it leach chemical compounds into our food or water?

• Will it last? Is this product designed for a single use, or a limited number of uses? How often will I have to replace it?

• Is it truly useful? Does it perform a limited number of tasks (or even just a single task), or can I use it for multiple things I need to do?

• What will it cost to operate? How much energy does the product consume while I'm using it? How much water?

• Will it improve my quality of life? Will it make tasks and chores more efficient? Will it create some level of joy in my life?

In terms of a products end-of-life, you may want to consider:

• Can I reuse or recycle it? Can I put this into the recycling bin? Can I donate it to a non-profit organization for resale? Can I give it to a friend or relative who needs such a product, but can't afford a new one?

• Does it come with a take-back provision? If it's not easily reused or recycled, will the manufacturer take it back to reuse or recycle for me?

• Is it biodegradable? Will it break down in the presence of air and moisture, and be reabsorbed safely into the natural world?

• Is it compostable? Could I put it into my compost bin or pile for it to break down? Would that compost be safe to use on my vegetable garden, or should I only use it for non-edible plants?

You wont be able to answer yes to every question for every product. You should aim for products with lowest environmental footprint, but recognize that any product will have its ecological costs.

So, how do I find out the answers to these questions?

Even if you don't shop with us, check out the category and product descriptions we've created here at sustainablog well answer many of these questions for you, with data from credible sources.

Look for certifications: Some of the most reputable certifications for the environmental benefits of products include:

• ENERGY STAR: The US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency's program for evaluating and certifying products based on their energy efficiency.

• Forest Stewardship Council: Certifies that products such as paper, lumber, and other made from wood come from sustainably-managed forests.

• WaterSense: The US Environmental Protection Agency's program for certifying quality, water-efficient products.

• Green Seal: A product certification program that analyzes a products lifecycle.

For a comprehensive list of certification programs, see Consumer Reports' Greener Choices site.

See what others are saying: Check out our consumer reviews, and also those at sites like Sustainlane.

Know when to recognize greenwashing: Greenwashing involves manufacturers and/or retailers making unsubstantiated or dubious claims about the environmental benefits of a product. If you want to understand how a company might greenwash a product orservice, take a look at TerraChoices Seven Sins of Greenwashing site. Also check out the EnviroMedia Greenwashing Index, a social network dedicated to educating consumers about greenwash, and identifying instances of it.

Don't sweat it: As long as you've armed yourself with accurate, reliable information, you'll be able to make positive choices for yourself, your family, and the planet.