Greenwashing And The Concept Of "Eco-Friendly"
- luanniewang
- Jul 28, 2024
- 2 min read
Imagine you're browsing in a store. You see products with neutral colors, leaf-patterned packaging, and a nature-like palette. Subconsciously, your mind goes, "Oooh, nature-y stuff! These products must have something good to do with the environment!" And that's exactly what the brand wants you to think.
Bamboo lids, or rather, plastic lids wrapped with a bamboo design, on a line of hygiene products. Image credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroWaste/comments/lit0ji/new_zero_waste_products_at_target_i_thought_raw/?rdt=47543
Greenwashing
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) defines greenwashing as "the act of making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or practice." I agree with this, however, I think establishments have developed subtler ways to greenwash rather than flat-out stating untrue claims. Most of that is through strategic hints in packaging. In the picture above, a brand uses bamboo print and soft, neutral colors which gives us the impression of being eco-friendly... at first glance. Soon you'll find that there isn't any real bamboo in the packaging and the whole product is no better than any old generic version of it. This company has learned how to appeal to consumers, whether they are environmentalists looking to cut down on their negative impact or people who seek higher-grade products and fall for the illusion of luxury that the implied mission (being "eco-friendly") from the packaging suggests.
A brand uses a natural setting and misleading language (what exactly do they mean by "conscious"?) to convey an environmental vibe. Image credit: https://www.thefashionlaw.com/dutch-regulator-says-hm-ads-include-unsubstantiated-sustainability-claims/
Gasp! A brand claiming to use paper packaging is discovered to have plastic underneath. Image credit: https://www.aimplasticfree.com/plastic-pollution/definition-of-greenwashing/ Looking Out For Real Environmental Consideration
Actually sustainable packaging:
Compostable packaging made from plant-based materials
Using as little material as possible to package a product
Packaging that can be recycled/repurposed
How to verify sustainability claims:
Verification logos such as the bunny with heart ears symbolizing being cruelty-free
Evaluate transparency. If a seller is secretive, that's a big red flag
It is easy to be tricked when consuming. However, if you take some time to truly analyze products, you can avoid falling for the illusions. The earth will thank you for your care!
I'd love to hear about your greenwashing stories! Reach out to me at luanniewang@gmail.com!
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