At one5c, we believe that a product’s performance is a critical component of its sustainability. The lowest-emissions, most-recycled, biodegrading-ist gizmo on the planet is a total eco-flop if it’s a piece of junk you’ll wind up sending to a landfill. 

This is why products that earn the one5c mark of approval represent an ideal balance of sustainability and performance. Each product goes through two parallel assessment tracks: performance testing and a sustainability analysis that captures the impacts of 1) a product’s manufacturing, 2) where it goes when it can no longer do its job, and 3) the environmental actions (or inactions) of the company who makes it. An independent product tester and a sustainability analyst separately grade each product based on their findings, and their scores combine to generate our final recommendation. This approach was designed to represent, to our best ability, the entirety of a product’s lifecycle. Picking a winner involves a lot of math and spreadsheets, but here’s the gist:  

How we evaluate performance

For each category, the tester designs a series of assessments to capture the key performance metrics of a product. These tests vary from category to category. For example, in evaluating reusable food-storage bags, the tester would assess how easy (or hard) it is to fill a bag, how much (or little) its seal leaks, how well it holds up to high and low temperatures, and how well it cleans up for re-use. The tester then scores each product on a scale of 0 to 5 for each test; scores are assessed on a scale as opposed to on a curve, meaning the bar for success doesn’t lower or raise based on the average performance of the pack.

The performance score is a percentage of a product’s score across all tests. So, if there are five tests, a product can earn up to 25 points. If an item earns 19 points, its performance score is 76%.

How we evaluate sustainability 

one5c’s sustainability scoring makes informed inferences about the environmental impacts of products and the companies behind them. An item’s sustainability score consists of three facets: production, end-of-life, and corporate sustainability and transparency. 

To score a product, the analyst first identifies key metrics relating to products’ production and what happens at its end-of-life, both of which can vary based on category. For example, a countertop composter’s production might be scored on its raw materials, packaging, and manufacturing and transportation emissions; its end-of-life might be scored on its recyclability, repairability, and potential toxicity should it end up in a landfill. 

Some metrics are based on observations (for example, how well a company supports repairs); others are based on data or approximations of data—again, we’re making inferences here. The analyst then scores each product on a scale of 0 to 5 for each factor. As with performance, scores are on a scale as opposed to on a curve, meaning the bar for success doesn’t lower or raise based on the average level of the pack.

As a third measure of sustainability, the analyst also looks at manufacturers’ overall corporate sustainability and transparency, and assigns a score (again 0–5) based on what they find. Companies that, for instance, make their emissions records public and participate in programs that invest in legit conservation will score high here. 

Each of the three facets (production, end-of-life, corporate sustainability) is expressed as a percentage. For instance, if there are three end-of-life factors, a product can earn up to 15 points; if it earns 11 points, its end-of-life score is 73%. Corporate sustainability is expressed as a percentage of a single 0–5 score—a 1 is 20%, and so on. 

How we pick our winner

We let the numbers do the talking. The final one5c product recommendation is determined by a weighted calculation. The performance score accounts for 50% of a product’s final tally, and the three facets of the sustainability assessment (production, end-of-life, corporate sustainability) combine to make up the other 50%. The product with the highest overall score after this calculation is run receives the one5c mark of approval. 

Here’s where it can get interesting: In some cases, the top performer or the most sustainable product might not be the ultimate winner. The most sustainable choice can falter in real-world testing, meaning it’s something a person is more likely to grow frustrated with and replace—and buying more (or again) is never sustainable. Similarly, an item that aces its performance testing will fall in the ranks if its environmental impacts are less-than-savory. 

How we source products

Whenever possible, we work directly with manufacturers to acquire product samples for review. If we can’t get our hands on a product that way, we purchase it at retail. Though direct relationships with manufacturers can be helpful in assessing products—specifically, if we have a question or issue to troubleshoot—the avenue through which we acquire products has no influence on how we score them. 

one5c does not earn a commission on any product purchased through our reviews.

Got a product you think we should review?

We’d love to hear about it. Drop us an line at editors@one5c.com.