Category: Sustainability
How much extra does it cost to shop ecolabelled? You might be surprised
Shopping sustainably doesn’t have to break the bank! Indeed, it can actually save consumers money, as BEUC’s Sustainable Consumption Officer, Miriam Thiemann, explains. With more EU Ecolabel products than ever on the market, now it’s up to retailers to play...
Why do consumers need a new car label?
Buying a car is one of the most significant investments consumers can make. BEUC’s intern Marion Chasseau wonders how a new car label could facilitate their journey towards the truly affordable and sustainable choice.
How the EU energy label can help consumers continue to save energy and money
The EU's energy label has been a real success story in guiding consumers towards energy savings. With some key tweaks it could continue to do so and deliver even more benefits, writes BEUC Ecodesign Project Coordinator, Silvia Barlassina.
Five tips for a sustainable summer holiday
With summer at our doorstep, BEUC sustainability expert Miriam Thiemann has five top tips for a sustainable summer holiday, from travelling by rail to finding the right sun protection.
Ecodesign: A more sustainable EU single market is coming
Ecodesign, an EU success story, is expanding. More products than ever will soon be designed from the outset with sustainability in mind - a development that will be good for the environment and consumers. But how? And when? The Ecodesigned4LIFE...
Here’s how your next smartphone will be longer-lasting and easier to repair
Consumers will soon be able to benefit from longer-lasting and easier-to-repair smartphones thanks to new EU rules, explains BEUC's Ecodesign Project Coordinator Silvia Barlassina.
The Truth Behind “100% Recycled” Plastic Bottles: Exposing Greenwashing
In today's age of expanded environmental consciousness, phrases like "100% recycled" or "100% recyclable" plastered across plastic bottle packaging might seem like a beacon of sustainability. However, the truth is far from that and it’s time for authorities to crack...
Consumers need more access to clean heating solutions
Appliances like the gas boiler may keep many of us warm in the depths of winter, but they are also heating up the planet. Eoin Kelly and Sebastien Pant write that the status quo is untenable and politician need to...
Train of thought: what the EU needs for a reliable rail system
What makes a good EU-wide railway system for consumers? Our mobility expert Robin Loos hopped on the first Brussels-Prague night train and shares a little bit of his experience aboard and a lot of BEUC’s solutions to make rail work...
Can you spot greenwashing? Consumer experiences in the EU and the US
Consumers need trustworthy environmental information to shift to a more sustainable lifestyle, but misleading claims are all around. A recent survey by BEUC dived into consumers' perceptions of this greenwashing.