The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines eco-conscious as “marked by or showing concern for the environment”. Eco-friendly is not in the dictionary, but it is a widely used term. So just what is the difference between eco-conscious and eco-friendly?

I think someone who is eco-conscious likes to be informed about the environment and how products and services effect the environment either postitvely or negatively. An eco-conscious person actively seeks to understand and minimize the impact they make on the environment.

I think eco-friendly is a label used to describe an eco-conscious consumer and a label given to products that are environmentally friendly. The word eco-friendly has become a popular buzz word for marketers hoping to distinguish their products and make them appeal to eco-conscious consumers. But there are many interpretations of what eco-friendly means, so labeling a product eco-friendly does not tell you how “green” it is. There are currently no federal regulations for labeling eco-friendly products in the United States. It is best to see if there is more information on the product about what attributes make it eco-friendly before making a decision to buy.

Ultimately, the two words are used interchangeably.