Did you know that some companies use a sneaky tactic called greenwashing to make use of exaggerated or misleading claims about their environmental practice? Yes, it’s pretty shady. They throw around terms like “sustainable,” “eco-friendly,” or “green” without actually providing any clear definition or certification for those terms.
This blog post will explore how companies are greenwashing us into buying their products and how you can avoid them.
With the increase in the consumer market of eco-friendly products as mentioned by Globe News Wire, it is expected to expand significantly in the next few years. Consequently, the market size, which was USD 11.2 billion in 2020 is projected to reach USD 36.6 billion by 2025
Targeting this specific market, H&M has launched its Conscious collection in 2010, however, some critics claim that companies like H&M’s overall business model is environmentally damaging. Moreover, its sustainable collection can’t be claimed as sustainable because it makes up only a fraction of H&M’s total production. This is what we call greenwashing –the practice of making things appear more ethical and eco-friendly in order to drive more sales. There are hundreds of companies that are greenwashing us and H&M is just one of them.
If you are a fan of green products like us and want to make sure that the companies you support are really committed to sustainability, there are a few things you can do:
First, take some time to do your own research. Use the internet to look up the company’s environmental claims, and see if they have a history of following through on sustainability promises. You will know if their claims are genuine or just a marketing tactic.
Second, look for transparency. Companies that are truly committed to sustainability often provide detailed information on their website about their environmental practices. This can help you understand exactly what the company is doing to reduce its environmental impact.
Lastly, consider the bigger picture. Don’t just focus on individual products or services. Look at the company’s overall environmental impact, including its supply chain, waste management, and energy use. This can give you a better idea of how committed the company is to sustainability as a whole.
Now, You are ready to get an accurate understanding of a company’s environmental practices and determine if they are genuinely committed to sustainability or just greenwashing.
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Blog Image Credit: Canva graphics
Written by Shruti Garg
