- Environment
- Explainer
Is your favorite ‘green’ product as eco-friendly as it claims to be?
Not all environmental claims are created equally. Here’s how consumers can spot misleading labels.
Going green is good for business. Consumers are often willing to pay more for eco-friendly products than other comparable products on the market, according to market research.
But not all environmental claims are created equally. “Greenwashing” is a form of misinformation often used to entice an aspiring green consumer. Companies promising to be sustainable, biodegradable, or environmentally conscious sometimes fail to meet the promises they make to consumers.
“It’s basically just a form of lying,” says Ellis Jones, a sociologist who studies greenwashing at the College of the Holy Cross.
As millions of Americans prepare to spend billions of dollars on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, greenwashing experts provides tips for consumers who want