What is Greenwashing? (And What Can You Do About It)
If you are trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle, you may have noticed that it can be difficult to identify products that are truly eco-friendly. Supermarket and pharmacy shelves are crowded with products claiming to be ‘green’, ‘all-natural’ and ‘chemical-free.’ Unfortunately, too much of this is little more than greenwashing.
What is greenwashing?
Greenwashing is a form of marketing designed to make consumers think that a company is doing more to protect the environment than it really is. At best, it’s a symbolic effort that makes little environmental impact. At worst, it’s a cynical PR ploy designed to boost sales.
But you don’t have to be taken in. Here are four simple things you can do to avoid being a victim of greenwashing.
1. Read the product label or visit the website. Be wary of products that make vague claims of being ‘green’, ‘non-toxic’ or ‘eco-friendly.’ Instead, check the label for more details and/or visit the company website to look for specifics.
- Look for transparency.Companies that take sustainability seriously are happy to share detailed information about the steps they take to minimize their environmental impact.
- Look for certifications from established, third-party organizations. A simple way to avoid green-washed products is to look for certifications from organizations like Leaping Bunny, Vegecert, or the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
- Buy better, and buy less.Even the most sustainably-made product has an impact on the environment. The best way to help our planet is to buy better, and to buy less.
At Yatta, we vet each product to make sure everything we carry is non-toxic, vegan and cruelty-free. And if you have questions about something we carry, we’re always happy to help.
Visit us at the corner of Adelaide and Princess, Tuesday to Friday (10 am – 5 pm) and Saturday (10 am – 4 pm), or online at www.yattabrands.com.
Mairi Shewfelt
Founder & CEO
Yatta Brands Inc.
