Greenwashing And Why It’s Toxic

August 22, 2022by HOMEMAKERS Editor0 comments

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Eco cleaning products that actually fit the bill (and bottom line)

“Bio” is the new buzzword.

You must have seen it – your usual dish soap now suddenly has a little aloe leaf on it, the classic dark green colour is suddenly a fresh translucent hue and claims to be better. Or gentler. Or more natural. (It’s not – just read the list of ingredients) This is nothing more than Greenwashing. Expensive rebranding to trick the consumer.

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What Is Greenwashing, You Ask?

Greenwashing is when a company creates a false impression or provides misleading information about how their products are better for the environment.

According to Investopedia,

“Greenwashing is an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company’s products are environmentally friendly.”

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How Do I Spot It?

Common Greenwashing terms are claims like “Natural”, “Eco”; “Energy Saving”, “Bio” or simply “Enviro”…These phrases feel like they should mean something, but if you look into it, they are actually nothing more than non-committal buzzwords aimed at fooling you into thinking the product is better for the planet.

Not all Greenwashing is blatantly false, but often, especially when it comes to recycling, recycled materials and recyclability, companies take liberties with the truth. Maybe one of the labels or the lid is made from recycled materials, but a company will slap “made from recycled materials” on the front of the product and if you don’t read the fine print you won’t pick up on the lie.

How Do I Avoid Being Blinded By Greenwashing?

This can be tricky. The only real answer is to educate yourself. Read labels, understand logos, and buff up on some of the most commonly used deceptive phrases.

Follow this link for more ways to spot and stop greenwashing.

We’ve Gone One Step Further

Greenwashing is often very prevalent in household cleaning products. It’s easy to think you are doing your bit for the planet by buying a certain product, but that’s not always the case.

Luckily, we’ve found the best, local, trusted and reviewed products, easily available online for you.

If you want to support a truly local South African start-up, owned and run by women, try Evolve Biodegradable. Just follow the link.

If you want to browse a broader selection, including personal hygiene products, head over to Faithful to Nature. With their honest product reviews, and easy-to-follow guidelines explaining each product’s origin and environmental impact, you’ll be able to find your way through the greenwashing maze with ease.