Greenwashing: When Pro-environmental Claims are Misleading

There are now nearly 5,000 consumer products that make some type of green claim – compared with just over 2,000 products in 2009. The increase has made it even more important that we understand what the green buzz words mean and what we’re paying for when we buy them.

Given the abundance of products, experts say consumers need to be aware of what's called "greenwashing." A term about marketing practices that mislead consumers about the environmental benefits of a product or service.

So, how do you tell the good, the bad and just plain ugly products for the environment?

Check out these sites to learn what those eco-labels and symbols mean:

• TerraChoice’s  “Sins of Greenwashing Pocket Guide,”  
• Mother Jones’ labeling guide 
• Seventh Generation’s label guide

There are many websites with information on the chemicals present in products and the health and other affects of using them:

• National Institutes of health
• Green Seal
• EPA’s Design for the Environment 
  
• Women’s Voices for the Earth 
• Environmental Working Group and Skin Deep Database

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