‘Greenwashing’ (no, this isn’t when you wash your kale in the sink) has become a growing issue, where businesses consciously market their products to be more environmentally friendly than they really are.
With more and more consumers seeking Earth friendly items, companies recognize that there’s green in going green. The movement towards sustainability has become quite mainstream. Even the biggest box companies want to be a part of it! And while it’s great to see a trend towards sustainability, not all of these companies are being entirely honest.
As a consumer, it takes a little awareness to be able to distinguish who’s genuine and who isn’t. With a few simple tips, you can gain the knowledge to make sure your dollars go towards truly sustainable products and make a positive impact. Join us as we dive into what greenwashing is, and how you can combat it!
“Buzz off” Buzzwords
“Natural”, “green”, “earth-friendly”, and “eco-conscious” all sound great, and that’s exactly what greenwashed companies want you to think. What do these words really mean in the context of your product? Instead of trusting overarching phrases like “environmentally friendly”, look for specific details that show you how the company achieves that. Third-party certifications are an awesome way to confirm that what they’re saying is true! Generally speaking, if a brand is truly doing good – they want to tell you all about it.
Au Natural
“Natural” is one of the biggest buzzword traps. Currently in the USA, there are no regulations for labelling a product as natural. This means that businesses can slap it on products with very little effort. The raw materials in these products may come from nature, but in many cases they are synthetically manufactured to a point that’s far from eco-friendly. If a product is labeled natural, always do some extra digging into the materials or ingredients!
Organic: Back it up!
“Organic” marks products as grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. We’re all for that! The word “organic,” however, shouldn’t stand on it’s own. When it comes to natural and organic products, look for those with legitimate third party certifications from groups like United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), or Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). USDA is a great, trusted source for food, NSF for bath products and cosmetics, and GOTS for organic clothing and textiles. If you see the NSF or USDA logos on a product, it’s guaranteed to contain at least 70% organic ingredients.
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Recycled or Recyclable?
Greenwashing can be found in logos, too. In packaging, it’s common to see recycling symbols and green logos plastered everywhere. Companies tend to use the trusty triangle to show a product has been made from recycled content. This, however, can mislead users to think it’s also recyclable. This isn’t always the case, so take time to learn what can be recycled or composted in your local facilities, as they vary from county to county. Check for wording on the packaging to help you learn more about what the symbol implies. Plus, just because there is a symbol, doesn’t mean it is a third-party certification – often times, brands make up their own symbols!
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Generally, look for companies that share specific information about their claims. Eco-friendly companies are proud to share how much of their product contains post-consumer recycled materials! They want you to know that they’re GOTS certified. Vague labels can be used to make sustainable claims sound better than they truly are. It’s better to trust claims that share as many details as possible!
Check for Relevance
When brands don’t have much to brag about, they often make up flashy phrases to catch the eco-conscious eye. Products that tote phrases like “lead-free” and “CFC free” sound great, when in reality lead has been banned from almost all USA products since 1988, and CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons–commonly used in aerosols) haven’t been used since 1987. Slapping these claims on products is almost like advertising water as gluten-free. Instead, look for relevant claims. If it is a personal care product, look for phthalate-free or sulfate-free. If it is a plastic product, look for BPA-free.
Additionally, check to make sure that products making eco-friendly claims aren’t masking an unsustainable use. A disposable product made from sustainably harvested wood still encourages a single-use mentality. Instead, you could make a more positive impact by investing in a reusable item that promotes a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Hear it From the Horse’s Mouth
Companies should be proud to explain what makes them eco-conscious– in detail! Almost every brand has a “contact us” page, where you can reach out directly with specific questions about products and company values. When a brand is truly sustainable, they should be able to provide a comprehensive answer about everything from product materials to production methods.
No brand is perfect, but a brand able to acknowledge both their achievements and shortcomings shows transparency. If a company tries to avoid a question about sustainability by drawing attention somewhere else, they may be participating in greenwashing. Companies with a genuine commitment to the planet will be excited to provide the consumer with information on their products, and will be open to hearing about ways they can improve.
Wash Greenwashing Away
Companies like us are working hard to do the research for you, so that greenwashing is a thing of that past. We believe you deserve to be able to shop with ease, and trust the products you are purchasing. But… greenwashing is still very prevalent in places like your local grocery store, superstore, etc! To ensure you don’t fall prey to greenwashing, take the time to do a little extra research when purchasing a new product or supporting a new brand. Doing a quick search online around the company, their certification claims, or their materials can quickly cut through potential greenwashing. By becoming more aware of what you add to your cart, it’ll become second nature to make eco-conscious decisions.
By simply acknowledging that greenwashing exists, you already have a head-start towards making informed choices. Plus, there is no shortage of unique brands making a truly green impact – you just have to know what to look for. Want some brands that are 100% greenwashing free? Check out all of the trusted and vetted brands on EarthHero here!
