Frequently asked questions

Why do Sustained ratings say "Estimated"?

Sustained currently calculates the product ratings using production and logistical averages based on the ingredients in the product. This is an estimate rating calculated using data from 'LCA background modelling' information and frameworks. Over time we will be able to additional data into account to produce 'LCA foreground modelling' rating for every product, distinguishing different producers, countries of origin and more.

Is Sustained really free to use?

Yes! Sustained Choice is free to use. None of your personal data will be sold and there are no advertising placements on our experiences.

What does the 'Not Enough Data' indicator mean?

Put simply, this means the Sustained data systems do not have enough data on the ingredients within that product to be able to confidently assign an estimated impact rating - yet! This will change as we add more and more data so watch this space!

How can I report issues with the Sustained Choice product?

To provide feedback, click on Sustained browser extension icon a popup followed by selecting the 'Tell us what you think!' option and answer the simple questions that appear! We would really appreciate your feedback - to make Sustained better!

Does Sustained work with brands and retailers?

Currently no. Sustained has no commercial relationship with, nor is it endorsed by or affiliated with any brands or retailers.

What data does Sustained collect from and about me?

We collect usage statistics (e.g. when you click on Sustained rating or otherwise actively use the Sustained product interface) that is fully anonymised and cannot be traced back to you. We also calculate the overall score of your purchase basket, and we track individual products that make up your grocery shopping - again, in a fully anonymised way to protect your privacy.

Can I use the ratings to make more sustainable choices?

Yes, you can. You can directly compare single ingredient products across all impact categories and you get a reasonable estimation of complex products (i.e. canned soups) that is as accurate as the ingredient information provided by the vendor. We use heuristics where exact proportions of ingredients are not known, and we highlight products that stand out in overall distribution with additional badges (i.e. low GHG).

Why should I trust the ratings?

Sustained ratings are calculated and based on LCA methodology which is a globally recognised way of assessing environment impacts of agricultural and industrial production cycles. We're taking advantage of the very same methods and frameworks that are used to advise governmental and international bodies dealing with ecological, climate and social problems. We aim to be as transparent about our scoring as possible, surfacing more directly verifiable information over time.

Why do all tomatoes (and aubergines, cucumbers, etc) ratings look much the same?

The current version of the rating system is an estimate based on 'LCA background modelling' which means that impacts are estimated based on ingredients and based on production and logistical averages. For single ingredient products (e.g. tomatoes) this means they often look very similar from an environmental impact perspective. Over time we will be able to additional data into account to produce 'LCA foreground modelling' rating for every product, distinguishing different producers, countries of origin and more.

What do you use to calculate the rating for a product?

Our systems use the ingredients in a product to calculate the environmental impact for 16 categories, which we have grouped into 6 broader topics to make sure you don’t need a PhD to understand what we’re telling you! We are using a framework called Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to calculate these impacts, which we use to power our ratings algorithms to determine the estimated environmental impact relative to all the other products we rate. You can read more about that on the Methodology page.

Does the environmental impact rating depend on the package size and weight of the products?

The short answer is – no. Currently all product scores are calculated per 1 kg of weight, so whether one buys 200g or 1kg of butter, the displayed scores will be the same. This is something that we are going to address in the future versions of the product.

Is there a way to tell a ‘good’ product from a ‘bad’ product?

It’s important to note that all the scores are relative. There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ products in the absolute sense, as production of any product generates undesirable impacts for the environment, but the question is – how much. Our scores reflect product impacts relative to each other. As our methodology and data coverage develop, the scores and colour boundaries are also likely to change in the future.

Frequently asked questions

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