It's not easy buying green.(production standards and marketing of green products)

Sales of "green" household cleaners and recycled consumer goods grew to roughly $4.3 billion in 2005, up 11 perAcent from 2004, according to the EnAvironmental Business Journal, which tracks the industry. Products that make environmental claims can cost 10 perAcent to 30 percent more than convenAtional ones, other experts estimate. Yet there are no specific government perAformance standards for many ecolabels.

We sent our secret shoppers to stores around the U.S. to find dozens of products bearing such claims, then asked manufacturers for proof. Most had some backup, but not all were as green as could be. Here's a sampling:

* "Biodegradable" detergents. Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwashing Gel is said to break down in the environAment. But the claim broke down when we found that the product contains a petroleum-derived agent that doesn't readily biodegrade. A spokeswoman said the company would remove the claim and review its product line and labeling. Biodegradability of two other deterAgents-Earth Friendly Product's Wave automatic dishwasher gel and Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid-was certiAfied by reputable independent groups.

* "Green" paper towels. Green Forest paper towels claim to be "soft on nature." As proof, the company pointed to an asAsessment of the product's recycled content by the Natural Resources Defense CounAcil. The council stated that the paper is 100 percent recycled and that 40 percent is "post-consumer," meaning that it had alAready been used and ...