Seven Sins of Greenwashing

If I get a chance to discuss sustainability options with people, I usually find that they are in favor of making choices that preserve our environment and resources.  They might get excited about products that offer to save them money in the process, but even then they are slow to make a commitment.  Why?  Sometimes, they are victims of greenwashing - when manufacturers make claims about their products that lack verifiable proof of a positive effect on the environment or the wallet.  This can make it hard to know who to trust, resulting in decreased motivation to change.

The following are the "Seven Sins" of greenwashing:

• Hidden trade-offs - when a product may be considered green in one aspect but other elements of it are not, sometimes with the sum more negative than positive.  For instance, most people have heard that bamboo flooring is an ecologically friendly option to hardwood trees, growing to maturity in as little as three years.  However, depending on where the bamboo is harvested and how much energy it takes to get from the farm to the manufacturer to you, you could lose most or all of the benefits.
• No proof - a product may boast, say, 90% post-consumer recycled content, but offer no proof of the claim or any way to verify the numbers.
• Vagueness - product descriptions that just aren't very descriptive.  Claims of "all natural ingredients" just don't tell us very much.  Plus, just because a product is natural doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy - take belladonna, for instance.
• Irrelevance - some trends take root in an industry and become the norm after a while.  Boasting that a product is "CFC free" doesn't mean much anymore, since the ozone-depleting compound was phased out beginning in 1987.
• Fibbing - well, this is one is obvious, although I am still surprised anytime I find someone outright lying on labeling.
• False labels - a product or company may boast an endorsement from some organization that you think you recognize, giving it automatic credibility.  Upon closer examination, the organization only appears to be one with industry standing - perhaps the acronym is a letter different, or the green logo is similar but not the same.
• Lesser of two evils - implying that applying a green practice to an unhealthy product makes it healthy, like organic beer.

Keeping these tactics in mind can help you navigate through the green marketplace.  Next time I'll share with you some of the organizations and certifications to look for when selecting a sustainable product or company.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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