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The trend of buying environmentally friendly products has developed quite a bit over the years, but what does the term “green” really mean? There has been no stable definition.
According to CorpWatch, “greenwashing” is the act of leading consumers to believe that products are eco-friendly when they may not be.
The media feature multiple views on greenwashing and whether or not it’s getting fixed. We are looking at perspectives from ABC News, Business Wire, Green by Design, CorpWatch, The Guardian, and NBC News.
NBC consumer correspondent Janice Lieberman says some common ‘green’ labels may easily mislead shoppers.
“Take ‘100 percent natural’, for example. Sounds good, but many naturally occurring substances, like arsenic, are actually extremely hazardous. And ‘certified organic’? Who’s issuing the certification? In some cases, nobody.”
Business Wire spoke to Arthur Weissman, CEO of Green Seal, a non-profit that certifies green products. Weissman says Green Seal is taking action by evaluating companies’ overall sustainable practices and eco-friendliness.
“Our pilot Company Certification Program makes green corporate claims credible and provides real marketing power as manufacturers brand themselves in a sustainability-minded marketplace.”
Green by Design blogger Martha Danley says the blame cannot only fall on companies—consumers have responsibilities, too.
“They include the public’s questioning of what they see and hear, speaking out against greenwashing, and putting their money where their mouth is.”
Jim Kohn of the Federal Trade Commission tells ABC News that the FTC is also taking steps to clear up consumers' confusion. It has filed complaints with companies for misleading ads about biodegradable products and bamboo textiles.
“The reason the FTC is on the beat is that we want to make sure that consumers get what they’re paying for.”
Suzanne Goldenberg, U.S. environment correspondent for The Guardian, says certification programs may not help because product labels will still not include all the contents of the item.
“Companies are not required to disclose the use of some substances believed to be dangerous... The makers of household cleaners are also not required by law to list every chemical in the bottle so long as it is below a certain level.”
What do you think? Is it easy to tell which products and services are actually eco-friendly? How could this be clearer for consumers?
Writer: Katie Dohse
Producer: Nathan Giannini
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