Environmental Symbols

Environmental

The AbilityOne Program

Helping Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities build their own American Dream

The AbilityOne® Program offers federal customers high quality products and services delivered by a workforce dedicated to excellence and customer satisfaction, while empowering people who are blind or have significant disabilities to participate in rewarding employment, lead more independent lives, and become wage earners and taxpayers

The AbilityOne Program is proud to use environmentally responsible materials in many of its products. The guide to environmental symbols listed below will help you find products that meet your environmental purchasing goals.

Guide to Environmental Symbols

AgiON

Identified products that release antimicrobial components only when conditions for bacteria growth are present.

Antimicrobial

Identifies products that inhibit the growth of micro-organisms.

Biobased

Identifies products made using renewable, domestic agricultural materials.

Biodegradable

Identifies products designed to compost quickly, completely, and safely, without leaving residues.

BPA Free

Identifies products free of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical which has been linked to adverse health effects in humans.

Compostable

Identifies products that can disintegrate into non-toxic, natural elements.

ECOLOGO Certified

Identifies products, services, and packaging certified as having reduced environmental impact.

Elemental Chrorine Free

Identifies products made without elemental chlorine, thus reducing the level of carcinogenic toxins released into the environment.

Environmentally Friendly Packaging (EFP)

Identifies products with packaging made using recycled content.

Energy Star Rated

Identified products that are Energy Start Certified. Products must meet the energy efficiency requirements set forth in Energy Star product specifications.

EPA Safer Choice

Identifies products meeting recommended minimum recycled content levels for post-consumer and/or total recovered materials as determined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.

Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP)

Identifies products with a lessened or reduced effect on human health and the environment.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Identifies the use of forest products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from responsibly harvested and verified sources.

Green Leaf

Identifies products with environmental attributes.

Green Leaf VOC Certified

Identifies products that have been independently tested and found to conform to multiple existing environmental regulations, such as PoHS laws, REACH and Evo Design requirements through one mark rather than multiple markets.

Green Seal Certified

Identifies products meeting all requirements for Green Seal Certifications, which contain performance, health, and sustainability criteria.

Greenguard Certified

Identifies products that are designed for use in indoor spaces and meets chemical emissions limits.

LEED Applicable

Identifies products that are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. Certification evaluates environmental performance of buildings based on overall characteristics of the project.

Low VOCs

Identifies products containing low volatile organic compounds.

Made in U.S.A.

Identifies products made in the U.S.A.

Process Chlorine Free

Identifies products made using no chlorine or chlorine derivatives in the recycling process.

PRIME

Identifies products that comply with the Plastics Removal in the Marine Environment (PRIME) program.

Recyclable

Identifies products made from or containing recycled materials.

USDA Biobased FP (Federal Procurement Preference)

Identifies certified biobased products designated for mandatory federal purchase as part of the BioPreferred® Program.

USDA Biobased

Identifies certified biobased products not currently identified for preferred federal purchase.