Greenwashing

Greenwashing is unfortunately a growing epidemic that is spreading now that people are starting to become more eco-aware. It is a form of deceptive marketing that companies use to promote their products by basically claiming they are green or eco-friendly on the front of the package, in commercials, etc. when in reality they either contain ingredients harmful to the earth, harmful to you, excessive packaging, etc.

Avoiding these products is actually more simple than you’d think– by checking the ingredients on the back of the product you can find out if certain harmful ingredients are in them.

Here are a few links that will give you information on what certain ingredients we could be avoiding that are in alot of these so-called green products:

1. The dirty dozen in beauty products (David Suzuki Foundation)
2. Top Ten Toxic Ingredients in Processed Foods (The Better Health Store)
3. 22 Harmful Chemicals in Personal Care Products (Organic Facts)
4. Cleaners Hall of Shame (EWG Cleaners Database)
5. Harmful Ingredients in Household Cleaning products (Alphazelle)

Also doing some research online about the brands you’re interested in to dig down even deeper to see where ingredients are sourced, what their packaging is made of, etc. could be another great route to take. If the companies do not have the sources listed and you really want to know you could always call or email the company and ask them.

What can we do to help prevent future greenwashing or make these companies accountable? You could send a letter or email to the company suggesting and requesting that they do better by replacing harmful ingredients and/or changing their packaging. Boycotting or not using products that have this false advertising as well as keeping friends and family informed on said products could help to lessen the environmental burden these companies are placing on us and the earth as well– remember as consumers we vote with our dollars.