Like the nutrition label on the side of my cereal box, I love the idea of a required “eco label” on the products I buy, which is one of the reasons I adore Ecosystem journals – each one comes with an ID that when punched in online, lists the ingredients used, facilities manufactured in and even number of employees in each.  It might seem like overkill to some, but in a consumer environment where buzz words like “all natural” and “made in the USA” often mean the exact opposite, it’s a safeguard.

A while back, we posted on Marcal Small Steps paper products – one of the leading grocery brands to sell 100 percent recycled paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissue and napkins.  And today, we’re revisiting the lineup of eco-friendly goods, having unveiled a cool, new Environmental Facts panel (above) on the front of each package that calls out recycled paper content (100%), chlorine bleach content (0%) and added fragrances/dyes (0%).  Sure, it’s easy for a company to slap on a sticker when it only touts the product’s green perks… so we want to know, what factoids would make up your ideal “eco label?”

Commercial carpet maker Shaw has pioneered an impressive attempt, in my opinion, outlining pre- and post-consumer recycled content, full ingredients used, and more.  They even feature a Cradle to Cradle promo video on the Web site, (above).  But what about the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process?  The company’s overall social responsibility?  Or their fair-trade practices?  Which would make your list of must-tell mandates?