What Does Greenwashing Mean?

Greenwashing is when a company or product makes an environmentally friendly claim that isn’t actually true. This kind of marketing strategy can be detrimental to both the company and the planet. However, some companies are doing the right thing by their customers. Fortunately, if you spot a greenwashing campaign, you can take action.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a “Green Guide” to help companies make honest green claims. In addition, the US Federal Trade Commission has guidelines to help you avoid false and misleading environmental claims.

There are many buzzwords and terms you may see in marketing materials. These buzzwords are often vague and unregulated, which can lead to misleading environmental claims.

One common type of greenwashing involves using a product with a certain amount of recycled content. Some brands fail to explain the actual number of recycled materials used, or they gloss over more complicated details. To check whether a particular product is truly sustainable, check the brand’s website or social posts. You can also check to see whether the company pays above-average wages to its workers.

Another common form of greenwashing involves the use of environmentally friendly imagery. Often, images of farm animals in a green field are used to entice consumers. Unfortunately, most farm animals are raised on factory farms. They are a major contributor to pollution and habitat loss, and are a prime target for greenwashing.

Another common example of greenwashing involves paper straws. Most paper straws are not recyclable. But McDonald’s recently announced that it is switching to straws made from recycled materials, part of its plan to source 100% recycled packaging by 2025. It also introduced straw-free lids.

Companies that make these kinds of claims must be transparent about how much of the product is made with recycled content. Additionally, they should provide details about how much of it was previously used. Similarly, you should find out how much power the company gets from renewable resources and how it generates electricity. If the company doesn’t provide this information, you might want to walk away.

Other examples of greenwashing include a product that claims to be “eco-friendly” or “natural”. While these terms aren’t technically legal, they sound a lot better than they actually are.

Greenwashing can be difficult to identify, but it’s not impossible. Companies that engage in greenwashing risk their reputation, their bottom line, and the environment. You can help curb it by educating yourself. Make sure to research the claims you make and be aware of companies that make greenwashing claims.

One easy way to tell if a product is green is to check its packaging. For instance, if a product has a “green” label on it, it should have a clear font, specific packaging, and other relevant information. A green label may not be the only sign of sustainability, but it’s definitely the best one.

Ultimately, the biggest indicator of greenwashing is the use of vague language. Buzzwords and other eco-friendly terms are a good sign of responsible business practices, but they can be misleading.