Greenwashing: Another way for big brands to screw over the planet (and us)

By Amy Miller 

All-natural. Organic. Ecofriendly. Powered by nature. I’m sure you’ve seen terms like these plastered on the front of almost every product in your local Woolies. You’ve probably thought, “Great! Of course, I’ll pay that extra $5 for the biodegradable laundry detergent. After all, what’s a few dollars when you’re saving the planet?”  

However, as sad as it is, there’s a high chance that your favourite ‘green’ products may not be so green after all. Greenwashing is on the rise, and it’s rising fast. As companies sense the change in the environmental priorities of their consumers (us!), they’re scrambling to assert themselves as the most eco-friendly option for you to spend your money on. Pick me, pick me! In the midst of this cost-of-living crisis, it feels more important than ever to align your spending with your moral compass and be conscious of who you’re really giving your money to. 

As an environmental science student, trying to do the right, sustainable thing influences so much of my own purchasing behaviour. Since first hearing about greenwashing in my first year at uni, I have continued to learn so much about the magnitude of global corporate deceit. Once I opened my eyes to the deceptive marketing practices taking place all around me, I felt so much more confident in my ability to spot greenwashing. If you care about the environment even a little bit, being able to recognise the greenwashing trap is one actual, tangible way that you can help our planet and slow the course of climate change.  

Greenwashing is a vague term that covers many different facets of corporate deception. Simply, greenwashing is when a company makes environmental claims that are untrue or misleading to make a quick buck from their consumers. Such ‘green’ claims are unsubstantiated and have zero certifications to back up their false statements. The United Nations recently reported that “greenwashing presents a significant obstacle to tackling climate change”. By misleading us to believe they’re doing more to protect the environment than they are, greenwashing companies distract from and delay credible action made by real environmentally friendly companies. Deceptive companies and brands are using our growing environmental consciousness to sell their products. It’s shitty, shady, and it works.  

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that we are in a climate crisis, and every time we invest in companies with hidden agendas, we are actively contributing to our global nightmare. So, what can we do? Until strict regulation is in place, it is up to consumers to do their own research to assess environmental claims from products. Sadly, it is up to us.  

Already, Gen Zer’s are leading the charge in the demand for ethical and sustainable marketing. A study by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing concluded that “more and more consumers expect to use their spending as an expression of their environmental commitment.” As a result, more and more businesses are lying to you about theirs. Sniffing out greenwashing can be boiled down to some super simple steps. Feel free to use these when you’re wandering aimlessly around Woolies – it will change your life.  

Be informed: To spot greenwashing, we need to put ourselves into the shoes of the greenwasher. Look for TerraChoice’s Six Sins of Greenwashing: the sin of the hidden trade-off, the sin of no proof, the sin of vagueness, the sin of irrelevance, the sin of fibbing, and the sin of lesser of two evils. Some of these are self-explanatory, like fibbing and vagueness, but some can be trickier to spot. But if we can understand these sins and how to spot them, you can be an informed and critical consumer.  

Spend wisely: When possible, take a little time to research and choose products from companies who use resources responsibly and are honest about it. A quick Google search will give you everything you need to know about Australian certifications. 

Consider a product’s lifecycle: When evaluating a product, it is crucial to consider its entire life cycle, starting from the materials used, to its eventual disposal. Also consider the environmental consequences associated with any materials, chemicals, and packaging. 

Every fraction of a degree of global warming matters. Our planet cannot afford more excuses! I know that the constant onslaught of sociopolitical crises can feel so overwhelming. Looking from one issue to the next, and the next, and the next is giving me whiplash. It is easy to feel helpless. I certainly do. Greenwashing, though, is driven by consumer awareness (or lack thereof). So, I urge you to be critical, spend wisely, and help Gen Z be the generation that makes a change. 


Amy Miller is a Brisbane-based student studying environmental science and professional communication at QUT. Though it feels impossible to reign in all her interests, Amy loves a good yap about slowing the course of climate change, and aims to bring realistic solutions to life! 

Submissions
Submissions

Want your work in GLASS? Check out our Submissions page to find out how!

https://www.qutglass.com/submit/

Articles: 311

Newsletter Updates

Enter your email address below and subscribe to our newsletter