No. 46: How to avoid greenwashing this month 🔎
Also meet our newest team member, volunteer intern Onwubiko Okem!!
Meet the newest addition to the Green & Salty team, Onwubiko Okem!
A mechanical engineering grad and Front-End developer who enjoys reading, writing (an incredible writer), cooking, traveling and watching anime. He’s from Nigeria and wants to appreciate the little things.
As our volunteer intern, he’ll sometimes write [insanely good] articles in issues, which are way better than mine. Feel free to say hi in the comments! (Also please share your encouragement, because he did an amazing job on this issue!!)
Greenwashing: an Earth Month tradition
By Onwubiko Okem
Greenwashing refers to the practice of providing false or deceptive information about the eco-friendliness of a company's products. This may involve making unsupported claims or using misleading language to give the impression that the products are more environmentally responsible than they truly are, with the goal of misleading consumers (Investopedia). This is especially problematic during Earth Month when there is a heightened focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Have you ever come across a product that claims to be eco-friendly, only to find out later that it wasn't as environmentally friendly as it seemed? That's what greenwashing is all about - it's when companies try to cash in on the growing demand for environmentally-friendly products by creating a deceptive impression that their products are eco-conscious or eco-friendly. Unfortunately, some companies have been accused of greenwashing by critics who say they are just trying to benefit from the socially responsible or ESG investing trend. It's important to be cautious and do your research to make sure you're not being taken advantage of.
On the other hand, there are authentic environmentally-friendly products and businesses out there that truly support their eco-friendly claims with concrete evidence and specifics. These are the companies that are truly committed to sustainability and making a positive impact on the environment. So, the next time you come across a product or business claiming to be eco-friendly, take a closer look before trusting their claims. By supporting companies that are genuinely committed to sustainability, you can make a positive impact on the environment and encourage more businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices.
Further reading:
Sustainable Living Ideas: 100+ Ways to go Green in 2023
Why should you care about greenwashing?
It's important to be aware of greenwashing for several reasons. First and foremost, it helps to protect the environment. When companies make false or exaggerated claims about their environmental impact, they are misleading consumers into buying products that have little to no benefit for the planet. By staying informed about greenwashing, you can make more informed choices and support companies that are genuinely committed to sustainability. It’s important to be aware of greenwashing to avoid being deceived. Greenwashing is a sneaky tactic used by companies to make it seem like they're doing more for the environment than they really are. If you're aware of the signs of greenwashing, you'll be better equipped to make smart decisions and avoid being taken advantage of.
But it's not all about protecting yourself - being aware of greenwashing also helps to encourage genuine sustainability. By holding companies accountable for their environmental claims, you can help to promote a culture of transparency and accountability. When businesses know that consumers are paying attention to their environmental impact, they're more likely to make a genuine effort to reduce their footprint. Finally, by supporting businesses that are genuinely committed to sustainability, you can help to create a market for environmentally responsible products and services. This, in turn, can encourage more businesses to adopt sustainable practices and help to create a more sustainable future for all of us.
So, whether it's Earth Month or any other time of year, it's important to be aware of greenwashing and its impact on the environment, our choices, and the businesses we support.
How do companies greenwash?
What tactics do companies commonly use to greenwash? Here are just a few examples, though this list is not exhaustive. These tactics can give you an idea about the kind of strategies companies employ to greenwash.Â
- Â Sneaky language: Companies sometimes use words that sound good for the environment, but don't actually mean anything specific. For example, a product might be labeled as "eco-friendly" without saying how or why it's better for the environment.
- Â Misleading claims: Companies might say things that are technically true, but not relevant to the product's impact on the environment. For example, a car company might advertise a car as "fuel-efficient" without mentioning that it's still a big gas guzzler.
- Â Ignoring the bigger picture: Companies might talk about one small thing they're doing that's good for the environment, but not talk about all the other ways they're hurting it. For example, a company might say that their product is made from recycled materials, but not mention the harmful chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
- Â Lying: Unfortunately, some companies just straight-up lie about how their products impact the environment. This is obviously not good, but it can be hard for consumers to know when it's happening.
- Â Misusing labels: Sometimes companies will use stickers or labels that make it seem like their product is certified as eco-friendly, but the label doesn't actually mean anything. It's important to research what the labels on products mean and who is issuing them.
See also…
Greenwashing can be really damaging to both the environment and consumers. When companies greenwash, they can trick consumers into thinking their products are environmentally friendly when they're not. This can cause people to make choices they think are good for the planet but are actually harmful. On top of that, greenwashing can make people sceptical of genuinely sustainable products and companies. It can be hard for truly responsible businesses to get consumers to trust them and see that they're actually doing good things for the environment. And if that wasn't bad enough, greenwashing can also take away resources from real sustainability efforts. Companies that greenwash often spend more time and money on marketing than on actually making their practices sustainable. That means they might not invest in things that could really make a difference in the environment. All in all, greenwashing is a serious issue that hurts both the planet and people who want to make responsible choices.
5 ways to spot greenwashing (Treecard)
Greenwashing can mislead consumers, damage the environment, and take away resources from genuine sustainability efforts. It is important to be aware of greenwashing, do research, and support companies that are genuinely committed to sustainability to create a market for environmentally responsible products and services. April is Earth Month and it's important to know about greenwashing. Be aware of companies making false claims about their eco-friendliness. Support businesses that are genuinely committed to sustainability. By doing so, we create a market for environmentally responsible products and encourage more businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Let's hold companies accountable for their environmental claims and promote a culture of transparency and accountability!
Check out…
Why older Americans are taking to the streets for climate action (Grist)
Temu Review – Is The New Marketplace Sustainable? (The Wellness Feed)
12 Climate Activists You Should Follow this Earth Month (Sustainable Baddie)
‘Stunningly’ High Lead Levels Found in Urban Outfitters Products (Sourcing Journal) - If this applies to you, please take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe. This is just another reminder that fast fashion is neither equitable nor safe!!
Wrap-up
Hope you enjoyed this!! :)
 | A guest post by
|