Greenwashing refers to misleading marketing claims made by companies to falsely suggest an environmental benefit.
Most consumers aren t familiar with the term greenwashing, but examples of untrue, unverified or unsubstantiated green or eco claims exist in almost every category of consumer goods.
There are simple ways that savvy shoppers can protect themselves.
When it comes to what we buy, the vast majority of consumers are interested in making better, more sustainable choices for the planet. In fact, in the Good Housekeeping Institute s recent sustainability survey, only a mere 2% of respondents
aren t concerned with making green choices at home.
The challenge is that making truly green choices can be more difficult than you might think – and it s not uncommon for brands to claim to be “green” when they aren t. You probably know the term “whitewashing,” which refers to glossing over scandalous, dangerous facts by presenting the information in a favorable way.