Written By: Hlub Her
Happy Earth Day!
I know I could have written an article about what you should do be more environmentally conscious on Earth Day. (You know, reduce waste, buy eco-friendly products, educate others, donate or sell used items, et cetera, et cetera.)
However, I thought it’d be better to talk about something more interesting: green products, also known as eco-friendly products. The first time I heard about this term was freshmen year in college. That was also when I learned about greenwashing.
What is greenwashing?
Greenwashing is when a company claims its products are environmentally friendly to gain market share and increase profits, but it’s more of a façade. Not entirely true, false, and misleading to consumers.
Although you may just be hearing this term for the first time, it’s been around since 1986 after environmentalist Jay Westervelt used it to “criticize hotels which endorsed reuse of towels, but lacked concrete recycling strategies," an ABC article said.
How do you know if a product is greenwashed?
Keep your eyes peeled for these 4 signs to help you decide whether a product is greenwashed.
#1: There’s no third-party proof to support the environmental claim.
When you look at product reviews, you’re more likely to listen to someone who is unbiased than someone who may be bias. The same goes for this. If a product claims it is cruelty-free, you want to make sure there is some sort of proof, such as a certification or some sort of evidence, supporting the claim.
#2: You can’t find information to support the claim.
If you can’t find any evidence to support the claim or to explain what makes the product eco-friendly, the claim may not be true, so always make sure to double-check whether a product is actually certified by the third-party.
#3: The product looks eco-friendly, but the labels are vague.
The product design may include eco-friendly colors such as green and use words such as all natural. Though it may technically be true, it is misleading. For example, claiming a product is non-toxic is a meaningless claim if the company does not elaborate how it’s non-toxic, because anything can be toxic if given enough doses.
#4: The way the product was produced is not green.
Although the materials or ingredients in a product may be natural, the way it was made may not be environmentally friendly. An example of this is recycled paper. The product appears to be eco-friendly but producing them pollutes and emits a lot of chemicals into the air.
Overall, it might seem like too much work to do when you just wanted to purchase something, but if you want to feel more assured your money is going to a company who is environmentally friendly, remember to look out for these 4 signs the next time you shop.
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