A question asked of us occasionally is to outline the processes that aToMik Green take when sourcing, verifying and finally releasing it's new products in our Green Shop. Being an environmental product business, we understand that products are unfortunately tainted by green washing and environmental un-truths. As a result those wishing to do their environmental bit are all the more cautious and sceptical of those who make 'green' claims.  Businesses now need to ensure that they do research and are confident about their product's claims. As a result, aToMik Green's selection process has become one of the most important (and surprisingly enjoyable) tasks in the aToMik Green office.

Honestly, we have no problems outlining the stages we have implemented when choosing new products. We are pretty damn confident that their implementation has kept aToMik Green 'genuine claim rate' at 100%. We also hope that it helps you, the environmentally conscience consumer, to make better, more informed and ultimately more comfortable choices. 

Stage 1. Sourcing and Presentation

The team at aToMik Green have regular round table meetings to discuss all things business (and usually football) related. During these meetings new products, potential product avenues and general business directions are covered. For example we may feel we need more kitchen based products or more variety of party lighting products or perhaps just a new line of 'green substitute' products.

New products can come from a range of sources. Some manufacturers come to us (either via email or in person to our office), some are found by pure internet detective work, others are found by walking up and down green expo aisles and chatting directly to the manufacturer. During these meetings, some products are decided against for a variety of reasons. They may not suit what we are trying to achieve, bring with it too many concerning aspects or we may just be too suspicious of their claims. Otherwise if a product gets the 'green' light, it proceeds to stage 2.

Stage 2. Proof and Research

At Stage 2, each product is individually assessed on a wide range of qualities. We read up on the materials used in the manufacturing of the product and try and understand their environmental impact - before, during and after it's life cycle. If the materials cannot be confirmed, the products is usually immediately canned. Products that have claims like "{ingredient} Free" or "No {ingredient}" are always sceptically researched to see if it is a genuine claim, à la aerosols and their CFC Free claim. If the manufacturer claims a product is certified in any way, we ask to see the documentation. If no certification can be produced, it takes a great deal for the manufacturer to convince us to continue looking at their product.

Other facets of stocking new products are also looked into, like potential pricing and profit margins, competition (both green and non-green) and market suitability.

Stage 3. Testing.

If no samples have yet been received, samples are requested from the manufacturer. These samples are used by the aToMik Team in their own homes in exactly the same way they would had they been purchased. Floors, fridges, ovens and pets are cleaned using trial cleaning products. Solar Bricks are installed in the ground and rained on and driven over. LED Downlight's are installed in kitchens, toilets and hallways. All the while results are calculated and compared with the manufacturers claims. Having said that, a product may be the greenest, most efficient replacement product available. However it must stack up to two major considerations - the manufacturers claims and, perhaps more importantly, the customer's expectations. If the variable between claim and expectation is too great, the product does not generally progress beyond this stage.

Many products have unfortunately, or fortunately - depending on your point of view, failed at this step. In the aToMik Green Greenwashing Research article there is a story about a product generically called 'Eco-Balls'. The article states;

"Ecowash balls are a laundry detergent replacement product. Simply they are hollow balls about the size of tennis balls, made of rubber or plastic and filled with little pebble sized rocks that react when wet and 'environmentally' clean your clothes. This is one of the first products aToMik Green liked and tested. However as you may have noticed, we don't sell them yet. However, everyone at aToMik Green would now have a test 'wash ball' in their laundry from one of the many suppliers out there. In addition, almost every sample we have received has worked to expectation. However when it came to the crunch on settling for one sample over another, no matter how much we liked the product, we could not justify the 'environmentally friendly' claim that came with it. Most manufactures were hesitant to reveal their ingredients or guarantee that there is no chemical X or ingredient Y. Others claimed the empty used balls could be recycled, but when asked what the ball was made from simply said 'Elastomer's'. Sorry, but that just doesn't cut the mustard."

It's a shame because the Eco-Balls did have a lot of potential, but until we are 'environmentally satisfied', we can't sell them.

Stage 4. The final Decision.

At the this stage, a quick informal discussion is had with the team to get everyone's thoughts on the latest batch of test products. If a product has made it this far, it generally means that we are pretty confident about it. If all agree that the product meets all out criteria, then all that is left is to nut out the finer business related issues like orders quantities and pricing. Barring any last minute hiccups, the new product is soon launched on the website.

And there you have it. The process in all it's abridged glory.

If you have further questions regarding anything about our process, please feel entirely free to contact us. In addition, if there are any products you would like to see in the Green Shop that we don't yet stock, let us know and we will see what we can do for you.

Product manufacturers and suppliers who want aToMik Green to have a look at your products are also more than welcome to contact us.