Our Rating System

The following section explains our rating system and the meanings of our seven symbols.“The inheritance quotient,” or I.Q., is a rating system designed to quantify the impact of a given product on the environment, on both a global and household scale. Consisting of seven major component ratings, each designated by a different symbol, the IQ system represents why we offer each product in our store and why it is preferable to a conventional or traditional product.

In sourcing and researching potential products and vendors, each product is viewed under the stringent lens of each category. We offer a given product if, and only if, it passes the guidelines of each applicable category.

FAIR TRADE RATING- The Fair Trade seal is given to a product if it proves, through our research and investigation, to be working with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency. A company or product operating with Fair Trade practices focuses on exporting from developing countries to developed countries, playing a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade.

GREEN HEALTH RATING- The Green Health seal is given to a product that will have a healthy, non-toxic effect on the user’s immediate surroundings and/or body. We research the ingredients and components of each product to determine that there are absolutely no toxins, VOCs, irritants chemicals, etc to ensure that the product is safe for you, your family and your home. Remember, if a product is safe for you, it is also safe for the earth.

BIODEGRADABLE- The Biodegradable seal is given to a product that is made from natural or organic substances and therefore can be naturally broken down by living organisms. Biodegradability is important when considering the life of a given product after it is no longer used or needed. Biodegradability is crucial in ensuring a decreased reliance on landfills and an increase in product and component reusability and soil/ecosystem enrichment.

RECYCLABLE/RECYCLED- The Recyclable/Recycled seal is given to a product either able to be recycled due to the recyclability of it’s component parts or containing recovered or recycled materials in it’s component parts. Recovered or recycled materials are wastes that have been diverted from conventional disposal such as landfills for another use. We consider a product’s recyclability and/or recycled content to be a crucial factor and we research the validity of each vendor’s or product’s recycled claims.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN- The Sustainable Design seal is given to a product which was designed to comply with the principles of economic, social and ecological sustainablilty. Sustainable design is widely important to the future of our material society and should be a concrete standard for all products to adhere to. We look for products produced and designed in a way that reduces use of non-renewable resources, minimizes environmental impact and relates people with the natural environment.

EMISSIONS- The Emissions seal is given to a product which was consciously manufactured and transported in a low-emissions method. This designation can include the manufacturers and/or transporters purchase of carbon offsets, a manufacturing plant run with alternative energy (such as wind or solar power) or even a product sourced locally to reduce emissions from transportation. We closely examine manufacturing and transportation processes to ensure the validity of low-emissions claims, and of course source locally whenever possible.

ORGANIC- The Organic seal is given to a product which we have proven through research and investigation to be grown or produced naturally and without the use of pesticides, genetic modification or other chemical agents. Organic products drastically reduce harm to the environment from unnatural, inorganic leaching toxins and help to equalize previous imbalance in the ecosystem.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about any of our products and/or their IQ ratings and designations, please do not hesitate to contact one of our customer service representatives at customerservice@sustainstores.com. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.