How do we calculate the Eco-score?

With the Eco-score, we want to map out the entire environmental impact of food products. Yes, really the full impact. This enables us to continue to make our product range more sustainable, so you can make more sustainable choices. Calculating the impact involves many different data and criteria. On the one hand, factors that influence the environment throughout a product's life cycle, and on the other hand any additional pluses and minuses, for example, sustainability labels that have been awarded.

•	Calculating the environmental impact of a product: combination of life cycle assessment and bonus-malus system

From farm to fork

If you want to know the full environmental impact of a product, you have to look at the whole path it takes. The ‘life cycle’, say, from raw material, production, distribution, consumption to waste disposal.

In order to know the ecological impact of this cycle, we use the results of the life cycle analyses in the Agribalyse database. They are calculated on the basis of the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) method and take various factors into account.

  • Climate change
  • Depletion of the ozone layer
  • Ionising radiation
  • Land, water and energy use
  • Land, water and air pollution
    (fine particles, acidification, eutrophication...)
  • Resource depletion

Earn bonus points!

Besides the life cycle of a product, other elements influence the environment as well. The protection of biodiversity, for example, or the impact of plastic on the oceans. Just like the environmental requirements, which may vary from country to country. Therefore, it is important to take additional criteria into account when assessing the environmental impact of a product. And that is how products can earn additional plus or minus points.

Life cycle analyses (LCA)

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for Eco-score: impact of farming, processing, packaging, transport, sale and consumption of a product

Bonus-malus points

Criteria for bonus-malus with Eco-score: production method, packaging, origin and biodiversity

Collecting data

The calculation method of the Eco-score is a solid method which originated in France. As it is very complex to make a life cycle assessment of a product, the French methodology uses average values for the same product category. They can be found in the “Agribalyse” database.

The specific data needed to assign plus and minus points are usually more readily available. On the packaging, for example. However, we do not always find the necessary information there either. The producer can, of course, provide or add additional information on the label to calculate the Eco-score.

The more specific data we have, the more accurate the score will be. We therefore want to encourage brands to be transparent and to provide the necessary data.  Step by step, we are working to collect even more data and thus refine the method so that the Eco-score is even better geared to the Belgian market.

Thanks to the labels (A, B, C, D or E), you can get information about a product's environmental impact at a glance. And it allows you to compare different products. This way, making eco-conscious choices become child's play. Thanks to the labels (A, B, C, D or E), you can get information about a product's environmental impact at a glance. And it allows you to compare different products. This way, making eco-conscious choices become child's play.

An example

Two products are compared, i.e. organic honey of Boni Bio Selection in a glass jar and the liquid honey of Bio in a squeeze bottle. The first has an Eco-score A whereas the second scores worse with a B. How do we explain the difference? The liquid honey loses a lot of points when it comes to packaging. The non-recyclable plastic squeeze bottle scores 12 minus points, while the glass jar with metal lid only loses 2 points.

honing scan

What is the environmental impact of this solid honey?

Calculation Eco-score fixed honey Boni Bio: life cycle 82/100 + 9 bonus points = 91/100 = Eco-score A

Life cycle analyses

Life cycle analysis for Boni Bio honey: impact mainly from agriculture, packaging and transport
•	Life cycle analysis fixed honey Boni Bio: impact of agriculture, processing, packaging, transport, sale, consumption

Calculated based on data from 'Agribalyse' database

Bonus-malus points

Bonus points solid honey Boni Bio: organic production / packaging made of glass, metal and paper / 25% from Argentina / no endangered species or scarce ingredients

Calculated from data on the label or from the producer

What is the environmental impact of this liquid honey?

Berekening Eco-score vloeibare honing Boni Bio: levenscyclus 82/100 - 3 punten = 79/100 = Eco-score B

Product packaged in non-recyclable material cannot be rated higher than an Eco-score B.
The maximum obtainable score is in that case 79/100.

Life cycle analyses

Life cycle analysis for Boni Bio honey: impact mainly from agriculture, packaging and transport
•	Life cycle analysis liquid honey Boni Bio: impact of agriculture, processing, packaging, transport, sale, consumption

Calculated based on data from 'Agribalyse' database

Bonus-malus points

Boni Bio liquid honey bonus points: organic production / packaging from non-recyclable plastic / 30% from Nicaragua / no endangered animal species or scarce ingredients

Calculated from data on the label or from the producer

An important footnote regarding transport and packaging

Agave syrup from Boni with Eco-score C is a good example to demonstrate how the Eco-score is based on more factors than merely transportation and packaging. These last two factors immediately stand out to the customer and therefore often raise questions among consumers. The fact that this agave syrup gets Eco-score C while honey is given Eco-score A has a lot to do with the 'Sales' factor considered in the life cycle analysis.

Other major factors influencing the Eco-score are often on the 'Agriculture' side: use of fertilisers or pesticides, processing or water consumption. Also, what you eat often remains more important than the distance the product travels. Honey for instance will typically have a lower environmental impact, even if it comes from distant countries.

In short: the use of the Eco-score gives an overall picture. The life cycle analysis is specific to each product group such as honey. The Eco-score is specific to each product within the group because it also takes into account several other factors via the bonus-malus system. That is where the added value of the Eco-score lies.

Berekening Eco-score vloeibare honing Boni Bio: levenscyclus 82/100 - 3 punten = 79/100 = Eco-score B

Life cycle analyses

Levenscyclusanalyse vloeibare honing Boni Bio: de impact komt vooral van landbouw, verpakking en transport
Levenscyclusanalyse vloeibare honing Boni Bio: impact van landbouw, verwerking, verpakking, transport, verkoop, consumptie

Calculated based on data from 'Agribalyse' database

Bonus-malus points

Bonus-maluspunten vloeibare honing Boni Bio: bio-productie / verpakking uit niet-recycleerbaar plastic / 30 % uit Nicaragua / geen bedreigde diersoorten of schaarse ingrediënten

Calculated from data on the label or from the producer

LP_image_mobile-eco-A-E.jpg
All you need to know about the Eco-score

The Eco-score makes it easier to make eco-friendly choices. At a glance you can see information about the environmental impact of a product. 

LP_image_honing-scan.jpg
A smaller impact for our products

The Eco-score helps you to consume more sustainably. And it helps us to reduce the ecological impact of our own-brand products.

LP_image_mobile-vrouw-scan.jpg
How can I reduce my ecological footprint?

The figures on the environmental impact of food are undeniable. Fortunately, you can make a big difference with your everyday food choices.