ecofriendlier

Ecofriendlier is a comparative adjective used to describe products, practices, or policies that are more environmentally friendly than alternatives. It is often used in sustainability discussions, consumer guidance, and marketing to indicate relative improvements in environmental impact, such as lower emissions, reduced waste, or more efficient resource use.

Formed from eco- (environmentally friendly) and -friendlier (comparative suffix), the term has variants such as eco-friendly and eco-friendlier. Hyphenation and spelling vary by style guide; eco-friendly is more common in general usage. Because it denotes a relative claim rather than an absolute standard, it can be ambiguous.

Measurement is not standardized. Assessments may rely on life-cycle assessment, energy efficiency data, emissions, recyclability, or supply-chain practices. Third-party certifications or labels can help substantiate ecofriendlier claims, but such claims still require careful scrutiny to avoid greenwashing.

In practice, the term appears in product descriptions, sustainability reports, and consumer guides. For example, a fabric produced with lower water use and recycled fibers can be described as ecofriendlier than a conventional fabric.

Related concepts include eco-friendly, sustainability, greenwashing, lifecycle assessment, and environmental impact.