What is Greenwashing and How to Avoid it?

What is Greenwashing?

The increase of environmental consciousness has caused a rise in greenwashing. 

Greenwashing is when brands make misleading marketing claims to make their products and values seem much more sustainable than they really are. It can involve vague statements and avoiding mentioning certain details that will show how unethical their products are. This takes advantage of well-intentioned people looking for genuine environmentally friendly products that fit in with their own values. 

A good example of greenwashing is when products feature the phrase ‘Biodegradable Clothing’. The label makes it seem as though the clothing item won’t left sat in landfill when it is disposed of. However even if the item does biodegrade, it will take years and years to decompose which is not ideal for the environment. Synthetic fabrics can take 30 to 40 years to break down. Also biodegradable doesn’t mean harsh chemicals weren’t used in the making of the clothing item.

How to Avoid Greenwashing?

If the claims of the product sound too good to be true, you probably aren’t wrong! 

You can always check the brand website for specific details on products. If the brand isn’t being entirely transparent and there’s many vague claims and catchy phrases then the brand might not actually fit into your sustainability values.

Some companies may have entirely different definitions of sustainable than consumers so its best to do your research and check the brand values align with your own before purchasing.