Greenwashing: How to Avoid It

In the 21st century, greenwashing is a major problem. While many people are switching over to more sustainable options, greenwashing is an unsustainable marketing tactic that takes advantage of consumers. It is important to be on the look-out of greenwashing. Here are some tips to avoid getting green washed:

1. Labels: Make sure the product you are planning on purchasing has a certified label that proves it is truly a sustainable product. The Green Seal is one of the most common labels used to identify a reliable product. You can download apps on your phone such as EcoGuide to help you identify a label you don’t know. Products have to meet a specific criteria in order to have one of these labels. You also want to do research on what the label means and what it proves about the product.

2. Check the Ingredients: Palm oil, exfoliating microbeads, oxybenzone, triclosan, parabens, siloxanes, and synthetic fragrances are just a few ingredients that you need to look-out for. Just because the packaging says that the product includes natural ingredients doesn’t mean that they are all natural nor that they are all environmentally conscious. It is important to make sure you know what is in the product before purchasing.

lastly and most importantly…

3. Research: Doing your research over the product and the company is the most important thing you can do. Although a company sells “eco-friendly” products, dig deeper to find out what other products they sell too. The company might conduct harmful and unsustainable practices in their industry. Check to see if the company you are buying the product from is owned by a parent company. The parent company could be involved in harmful and unsustainable practices as well.

Looking into these tactics really makes a difference and gives you a better view of how deceiving companies can be. By following these tips, you can be better prepared to avoid getting green washed.