No one likes to be misled.
Greenwashing is when a company claims their product or service is better for the environment than it really is.
Sometimes the claims are subtle and we don’t give them conscious thought but they still could influence our purchase decision. So if we make the purchase, we could think we are doing our part for the environment when we really aren’t.
This article from Good Good Good shares six types of greenwashing to watch for.
Highlighting that a product is ‘green’ based on one feature. There are many inputs to make a product and saying it is environmentally friendly on just one of those aspects doesn’t share the complete picture.
Stating a claim without proof. If the claim can’t easily be proven with additional information or a third-party certification, be wary of the validity of the statement.
Marking a general, non-specific claim. If the claim is very broad, it will be easier for us to misunderstand the meaning behind the claim.
Mentioning an unhelpful statement (even if true). Stating that a product is free from a banned substance doesn’t add to the conversation because all products in that category have to avoid the banned material. If that is the only claim of being environmentally-friendly, more research is needed.
A claim meant to distract us. Maybe the claim is true but it distracts us from the bigger impacts of that product category. For example, green claims in the bottled water industry can make us think we are choosing well when the better choice is using your own water bottle filled at a refill station.
Making a false claim. Companies that make untrue statements about the environmental impacts of their products shouldn’t be supported with our money.