Are you being greenwashed?

OHeather · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2009, 03:17 AM

There are so many companies promoting their "green" side these days, but how do you know if what they're saying is true? The average consumer doesn't have the time to check out the claims, and they rely on what these manufacturer's promote on their labels. The labels are supposed to be the quick fine print that you can trust, right?!

Wrong! You can't always trust what the manufacturer is telling you. (What a surprise, I'm sure). Here is a greenwashing report entitled "The Seven Sins of Greenwashing." I really wished they named names, but there is a lot of good information to be obtained by reading this.

thinkgreen · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 07:30 AM

Haven't taken the time to read this yet, but I know this is rampant in personal care industry. You really have to read each and every ingredient. Thanks for the post!

OHeather · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 11:51 PM

The astounding fact is that only 2% of the green companies/products can claim that they don't try to greenwash. That is such a small number! Of course, you really have to be careful when reading this report, because the numbers can be skewed anyway you want to make them, just like anything else. The report doesn't say X company was guilty of sins 1, 2, & 3 and Y company is guilty of sin 6. All of the sins are not created equal IMO, and it's hard to know which sin is worse. Can you live with a product even if it's the lesser of two evils? Probably, at least until you can either 1) afford something better or 2) learn more about the company and it's products.

Each step that you take to inform yourself, is one step closer to making a better choice. It's up to you to make the best choice possible at the store and the checkout counter.

wyo-helpmeet · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 12:45 AM

I wish they'd have posted a list of the biggest liars. I was bummed that I didn't see that. Did I miss a conclusive list by chance?

OHeather · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 02:34 AM

No, I didn't see one either. That is one of the reasons I read the whole thing.

miscel55 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-07-2009, 11:57 PM

I didn't read the whole thing but I scanned closely to it. I wish it had more advice on how to look for greenwashing. Basically I think everyone should read labels and ingredients. If a product has no ingredient list...don't buy. I was at the drugstore last night finding organic body wash and shampoo for my kids and myself. As I scanned through a lot of the items I found several products claiming organic this, organic that, but I READ the list of ingredients and although they may have some organic ingredients, they also contained harmful ingredients, like Sodium laureth Sulfate (is that right?), which is supposed to be linked to cancer. The products also contained dyes, like red 40, blue lake 30, or whatever they are. You all know what I mean. So therefore I did not buy those products. To be safe, READ INGREDIENTS LIST!!! Do not believe the front label. Also, teach yourself what certain ingredients are, they may sound harmful but they aren't.

HenryFord · #7 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 07:13 AM

Hi Onboard,
How are you.Many products in the market seems branded by their name but what is inside it no body knows.A product sells its name always.You never know this product is a hygenic product better for you.The Ingredients inside that product are original and harmless.Many things are there to think before buying any product.Dont ever trust or rely on a label also use your mind.

Thanks For Sharing...