Blog

What is Greenwashing

}

Jun 13, 2019

*This is part of a summer blog series written by an anonymous member of our alumni community. The opinions expressed here are independent of GREEN Program and do not necessary represent the views of our organization.*  

The sun is cascading down the rangeline on your left as the crisp, salty air blows off of the ocean and into your nostrils. Two LED headlights come flying up behind as this beautiful, sleek, almost robotic vehicle passes you. You think to yourself, “wow, that human in that Tesla is rich and cares about the Earth. I aspire to be that”.

Hold your roll.

It’s 5:30 pm and you just got home from a long day of work and your face is quite oily and you just can’t wait to hit that refresh button on your day and wash your money maker. You grab your Origins ‘Brighter By Nature’ face wash and think, “I love how socially conscious I am with my cosmetic choices”.

Does this sound familiar to you?

I’m ready to break it to you, you’ve been greenwashed. 

I am sorry to say it. It has happened to me and it has happened to some of the most nerdiest green nerds to ever nerd. Greenwashing is a company or product claiming to be ~green~ or a better ecological choice than competitors when in reality it is not.

cjwv3yzcp009byri580g6u29k damn

Why You’re Getting Bamboozled

Simply put: they are exploiting the current ~green trend~ for marketing purposes and lying about their products. Well, technically they are not lying because that would be straight up illegal, but…

To quote Cardi B, “All a bad bitch need is the Money”.  Money. That is the bottom line for every business decision. What can I put in my pocket after this. When people are branding their products they see a MASSIVE Ty-Dolla-$igns when they attach a ‘Green’ sticker to stand apart from their Blasé competition. Now moving on to introduce…

cjwv43ooi009oyri5g54rmpqe truth
*PS sustainability isn’t a trend it needs to be a way of life. Had to say this because I would get crushed online because I said it was a trend*

The 7 sins of Green Washing


Greenwashing can be categorized into 7 sins, and I will use these sins to promote my own product just to show you how easy it is to fall into this trap. The Sin of:

The Hidden Trade-off

A product is ‘green’ based on a narrow set of attributes without attention to other important environmental issues.

“This product will help suppress your appetite and help you lose weight!”

No Proof

An environmental claim that cannot be substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable third-party certification.

“The post life of this product is 70% recyclable! Do you part!”

Vagueness

A claim that is so poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood by the consumer.

“This product is All-Natural!”

Worshiping False Labels

A product that, through either words or images, gives the impression of third-party endorsement where no such endorsement exists.

“We are certified by the GreenChipPuff!”

Irrelevance

An environmental claim that may be truthful but is unimportant or unhelpful for consumers seeking environmentally preferable products.

“This product is free of all CFC’s just for our consumers!”

Lesser of Two Evils

A claim that may be true within the product category, but that risks distracting the consumer from the greater environmental impacts of the category as a whole.

“We are 50% better for you than our laboratory made competitors!”

Fibbing

Environmental claims that are simply false.

“There are 0 negative emissions from our product!”

And that’s how you get products like “one of a kind, all natural, organic, cigarettes!” Marketing is powerful and that is how companies get away with Greenwashing without any consumers noticing it or accountability.

cjwv4pn5a00gny2i5g42x7le5 charlier

A few real world examples 

Volkswagen

I’d recommend watching episode 1 of the Netflix show “Dirty Money” about this. In short, VW was pushing their clean diesel fleet that passed standard emission tests while only in a lab. How the car performed on the real road, outside the lab, was entirely different from an emmissions perspective. 

Starbucks

Listen. I even blogged about Starbucks being revolutionary when they dropped plastic straws. That was incredible! It was a great move but I got caught up in the fact that it was just a PR spin as I drink my Starbucks coffee out of a strawless, but still 100% plastic cup. Wtf. They bluffed so hard I folded on a Royal Flush.

Nest Labs (the programmable thermostats)

Nest Labs has been incorrect in facts about their products efficiencies and numbers because, quite frankly, nobody would check them on it.

All in all, greenwashing = bad, but it is unavoidable. What these companies are doing is technically not illegal (except VW, that was straight up illegal as shit). Do yourself a favor and  research some of your products if you are passionate about making the best ecological choices and don’t always take marketing and certifications at face value. 

Read Another Article

Honoring Kate Slattery & Highlighting the Shine On Scholarship for Women’s History Month

Honoring Kate Slattery & Highlighting the Shine On Scholarship for Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, The GREEN Program is happy to highlight Kate Slattery – a mechanical engineer and photovoltaic designer for SolarCity who challenged herself and others to work toward a global mission of renewable energy and sustainability. We are honored to work with Kate’s family and GivePower to share Kate’s story and provide the Shine On Scholarship to TGP students in memory of Kate. 

read more
How an Online Sustainability Program Helped Jaedyn Medrano Become an Intersectional Sustainability Advocate

How an Online Sustainability Program Helped Jaedyn Medrano Become an Intersectional Sustainability Advocate

This blog features the virtual Nepal Ethics of Sustainable Development Alum, Jaedyn Medrano who says, “this program taught me how to think about a project holistically, and it has guided me along the path to being a better cultured and inclusive young professional.” She is set to graduate with a double major in Renewable Natural Resources & Ecological Restorations in December of 2022.

read more
Defending Reproductive Rights in the Battle for Climate Justice

Defending Reproductive Rights in the Battle for Climate Justice

Reproductive Justice is Climate Justice. The GREEN Program stands to defend the reproductive rights of all women and people who give birth to access safe reproductive health care. We must do more to educate others and understand the interconnection between Reproductive Justice and the Climate Crisis. It’s important to draw the connections between climate change, pollution, and reproductive rights.

read more
An International Graduate Student Embraces Nepali Culture by Studying Abroad through Shine On Scholarship

An International Graduate Student Embraces Nepali Culture by Studying Abroad through Shine On Scholarship

On one hand, I believe that every student should be given a chance to study abroad at least once in their life, because it teaches us things that textbooks cannot: adaptability, resilience, curiosity, empathy, just to name a few. Whether good or bad, bursting our bubble and learning about our world will inspire us and open our minds. On the other hand, the people we interact with benefit from the diversity, because all of us bring unique perspectives to the table. Perhaps we share an idea that no one has thought of but could be key to solving a problem; we fuel the aspirations of someone who is facing similar difficulties; or help take down stereotypes.  

read more
Remembering Juneteenth and the Fight for Environmental Justice

Remembering Juneteenth and the Fight for Environmental Justice

n June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX, and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. It is on this day every year since that we celebrate “Juneteenth” as the end of slavery in the United States. It is a day that we celebrate ancestors and leaders who fought to be liberated. We celebrate their power, resiliency, and tenacity. 

read more
LGBTQ+ Leaders and Organizations in Sustainability to Know About this Pride Month

LGBTQ+ Leaders and Organizations in Sustainability to Know About this Pride Month

The GREEN Program loves to celebrate love, and there is no better way to do that this month than by recognizing a few LGBTQ+ leaders and organizations that are making a difference not just in their own communities but for our planet altogether. Read below to learn more about some people and spaces that are working together to promote a better world that focuses on inclusion and equality.

read more
Meet 8 AAPI Leaders in Sustainability: Across the Globe and At Home

Meet 8 AAPI Leaders in Sustainability: Across the Globe and At Home

The month of May is known to many as the end of classes and the start of Summer, but May is also known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Our team at TGP wanted to take a moment to recognize the contributions and influence of AAPI Americans throughout history, culture, and achievements both on a global scale, and from those who are a bit close to home. We also encourage you to learn more about AAPI Heritage Month and get involved through additional resources.

read more
From a Start Up to a Sustainability Study Abroad Program: How Patrick Applied his Passion for Renewable Energy in Iceland

From a Start Up to a Sustainability Study Abroad Program: How Patrick Applied his Passion for Renewable Energy in Iceland

When Fall 2021 rolled around and I saw the TGP scholarship opportunity, I thought I’d apply not expecting much. When I found out that I actually got it, I was like “I guess I’m actually doing this!”. I was a little nervous and anxious but also so excited for the opportunity! I was also grateful that the enrollment process was very smooth for me with no significant challenges along the way.

read more
Boston University Student Gains a Unique Perspective for Renewable Energy & Sustainability by Studying Abroad in Iceland

Boston University Student Gains a Unique Perspective for Renewable Energy & Sustainability by Studying Abroad in Iceland

Global experiences have definitely shaped me into the person I am today through increased cultural awareness and sensitivity. Getting to really know a great group of diverse individuals from all over the world has not only shaped my perspective on current world issues, but has also allowed me to take a glance at certain topics from another angle and point of view.

read more
A Construction Science Major Turns Lessons into Opportunity after a Sustainability Study Abroad Program 

A Construction Science Major Turns Lessons into Opportunity after a Sustainability Study Abroad Program 

AJ Ewing spent his past Winter Break a little bit differently than most students, by studying abroad on our GREEN Nepal program. As a Construction Science major, AJ notes that he was nervous coming into the study abroad program having no prior experience in sustainability or electrical/solar grids, but he was excited and eager to learn. As soon as he arrived, all his nerves were gone as he was welcomed by our team and ready to dive in. Now, he can honestly say that when he thinks of The GREEN Program, he thinks of “family away from home.”

read more
How a Geologist Made His Sustainability Dream in Iceland a Reality through a Study Abroad Scholarship

How a Geologist Made His Sustainability Dream in Iceland a Reality through a Study Abroad Scholarship

As someone who is in a field with a limited representation of ethnic minorities, TGP created a neutral ground where there was a range of diversity on different levels. My GREEN Program experience in Iceland wasn’t just about the adventures and cultural immersion, but about the education too. I thoroughly enjoyed the lectures because I saw how passionate the different lecturers were about their work and research which is truly inspiring. As a geologist, learning more about the wonder that is Iceland in Iceland was definitely a dream come true.

read more
Get to Know GREENie: Maryam Aida Tidjani

Get to Know GREENie: Maryam Aida Tidjani

Maryam Aida Tidjani got to experience a brand new kind of GREEN Program during the hard times the world was facing, a 100% Virtual and Online experience. Initially planning on traveling to Peru in 2021, the global pandemic continued to shift things around and we had to pivot all travel programs to Online experiences.

read more

Subscribe to The GREEN Program newsletter & updates

Loading...
Skip to content