http://www.care2.com/greenliving/dont-get-greenwashed.html
Don’t Get Greenwashed
By Kate, Ode Magazine
Greenwashing: A particularly evil practice used by companies to fool you into thinking you are buying an environmentally-friendly product or service.
Here are three ways to out-smart cunning companies with deep pockets.
1. “Natural” isn’t a regulated term, and products labeled as such are often quite the opposite. Because no laws govern the use of terms such as “derived from natural ingredients” or “all-natural”, these phrases are frequently abused. Arsenic and formaldehyde are both naturally-derived, but that doesn’t mean we want them in our products.
2. One or two organic ingredients doesn’t mean the whole product is. Read the ingredients and make sure there’s nothing toxic in there too. Same goes for the omission of one evil while many more remain. No parabens is good, but no phthalates, 1,4-dioxane (sodium laureth sulfate is commonly associated with this nasty probable-carcinogen) or preservatives is better.
3. The outside doesn’t always match the inside. Appliance, energy and auto companies are some of the biggest greenwashers around, and some of the biggest polluters on the planet. An energy-efficient appliance can contain some seriously hazardous parts. Best to check with the company before you buy to make sure you know what you’re getting, and when it comes to the eco-car market, check the mpg. If it’s not very different from it’s non-green counterpart, save your money and find one that will reduce your auto-emissions and your dollars spent at the pump.
When making environmentally conscious purchases, it’s best to do your homework. Don’t believe deceptive advertising practices making claims that are not verified by third-party certification or ingredients. If the product’s green-ness sounds vague, it probably is. Eco-conscious companies making products that are healthy for you and the environment are both careful (many are certified through numerous third-party organizations) and proud. A truly green company will tell you what makes their product great. Whether it’s organic, doesn’t contain toxic chemicals, or is produced sustainably, they will let you know in their labeling. A company trying to spin their product to get your dollars won’t be so forthright, because they can’t.
These tricky practices are not only unfair to you, the consumer, but are also unfair to the many conscientious companies out there providing products and services that are genuinely eco-friendly. If a company truly cares about the environment they wouldn’t spend their money on deceptive advertising, they would use it toward making responsible and environmentally beneficial business choices.
Check out Treehugger, TheDailyGreen, EcoVillageGreen and SierraClub GreenHome to find out more ways to avoid greenwashing, ingredient information and to find what you need to know to get products that are good for you and good for the earth.
Ode, the magazine for Intelligent Optimists, is an international independent journal that publishes positive news, about the people and ideas that are changing our world for the better. Click here for your FREE issue.
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10 comments
add your comment »I work in Sydney and I would ride to work if I felt safe doing so - but it's not safe. Motorists see cyclist as a menace and actively try to force you off the road, professional cyclists are a menace and obey no road rules and cycleways end abruptly - I'm sorry, but risking my life in a bus lane with a 10 tonne vehicle travelling 50kms/hr is not my idea od safe transport.
Mens Health
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There really are a ton of chemicals in products so you really have to read the labels. I burn chemical and paraffin free candles made from veggie and palm wax.
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You are dead right Megan, organic is not necessarily healthy. the FDA has nicely placed that word on the endangered list. When I read the labels of some of the stuff that we eat and use on and in our bodies, it totally distresses me. Great post by the way.
cheers
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I make all my own washing, cleaning, soap and shampoo. If anyone is interested in the recipes I will dig them out tomorrow and post them up.
cheers
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Another example of Green washing that is growing and particularly insidious is artificial or synthetic turf- typically a plastic carpet with plastic backing into which plastic tufts of any desired color are stuck. On athletic fields ground up tires are swept in between the tufts to hold them up and cushion a bit. What the industry forgets to tell and customers don't anticipate is plastic gets VERY hot in the sun. Companies and even water stressed municipalites are pushing plastic synthetic turf for homeowners and athletic fields. Neither makes sense= Homeowners should plant beautiful drought resistant plants and ground covers, athletic fields should be well constructed and use grass that can be irrigated with reclaimed storm water from cisterns. Field turf and Astro turf are further green washing by funding "sports surface research centers: at Penn State and the University of Tennessee. Go to www.synturf.org for more information.
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Don't buy those expensive dryer sheets. If you use any kind of fabric softener, preferably eco-friendly, Mix 1 part softener with 6 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray a piece of cotton ( half a T-shirt, etc) with this mix and it works just as well as any commercial dryer sheet and you don't throw it out for land fill. If ever you care to, throw it in with the next load of laundry, for washing. Just how long does a bottle of fabric softener last, using it for this spray? At two full loads of laundry a week, my small bottle lasted for slightly over 3 years.
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Thinking about healthy soap, I've been searching for a good shampoo for a while now. Not only do I not want chemicals, I don't want it smell like anything, either. I finally got fed up with the search and started using hand soap. It works wonderfully on my short, thin, wispy hair. I mentioned it to my hair cutter and she was shocked. "But your hair doesn't feel at all dry!" I thought, why would it? The soap is vegetable oil and an alkalizing agent, and nothing else. Plenty of oils for my hair.
Jennifer - I often wonder about all that plastic in TP as well. The 'eco' stuff comes one roll at a time. I like to buy giant multi-packs. There has to be some way to package TP in bulk without all the plastic.
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Why don't people just look into Shaklee Products because they are wonderful. Look up Shaklee Products on line for yourselves.
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I buy toilet paper made from recycled paper but the big economy pack (wrapped in plastic) consists of several smaller packs wrapped in plastic. I realize the TP can't get wet but why all the excess?
Miss Info, we buy Seventh Generation dish soap along with 2 other brands-guess I have to read labels more carefully!
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I once bought a bottle of Seventh Generation dish soap, because I had heard what a good company Seventh Generation is. One of the first ingredients is sodium laureth sulfate. Exactly how is this protecting our children or our planet to the seventh generation?
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