In previous blog posts, we briefly talked about greenwashing, but we haven’t discussed tips on how to avoid greenwashing. There are many ways to check if a brand is environmentally conscious or is using greenwashing techniques to sell its products. Here at Glass Planet, we have put together tips to help you spot greenwashing:
Greenwashing is when a company claims they are environmentally friendly. However, in reality, they spend more resources on making sure you know that rather than actually implementing green policies into their business practices. Companies now know that consumers are looking for natural products which leads them to use buzzwords, such as “organic” and “sulfate-free”. Many cosmetic brands use labels and naturally styled branding to convince customers that their product is natural. Greenwashing is used to sell more products, even if the practices they follow are unethical. This is a phenomenon in many industries, not just the cosmetics industry. An example would be a clothing brand claiming their clothes are made from recycled materials when really only 10% of their clothes use any recycled materials.
Packaging:
Many companies will make “natural” products that are similar to their regular products but will put them in packaging that evokes a natural feeling. For example, they will use pictures of nature, a green color palette, and packaging that seems simple. Just because a brand uses natural imagery does not mean the product is environmentally friendly. Do not only look at the packaging because looks can be deceiving.
Product Labels:
The FDA will only step in when a product makes false claims to prevent disease or affect the structure/function of the body. This means that cosmetic companies can use green buzzwords to market their products and convince consumers to buy them. If a product claims to have natural ingredients, such as shea butter, make sure to read the ingredients list. On the ingredients list, the first couple of items are the ones that are most used in the product. If a company claims to use natural ingredients but the ingredients label lists them last, this can be a sign that a company is greenwashing.
Product Claims:
There are common product claims that do not always mean a product is organic and natural. If you see these phrases, make sure to read the ingredients list and do your own research. A product can not use any of the ingredients listed below and be an organic product.
Silicone-Free
Paraben-Free
Mineral Oil-Free
Research Companies:
With the rise of the internet, it's easier than ever to find information about different brands. Go to the brand's website and do outside research. A quick search can bring up dozens of results. If a company is serious about being environmentally friendly, they will have clear evidence on their website that backs up their claims. If a company ethically sources its materials, it will make sure the consumer knows. There are so many green companies out there; find companies that share similar values to yours.
What you can do:
During the last decade, there has been a steady increase in consumers wanting natural beauty products. However, there are no regulations to ensure that companies are not using misleading claims on their products. This is why it is important for consumers to be aware of greenwashing and be able to recognize the signs. Marketing teams hope that consumers are not educated enough to distinguish when a company is greenwashing.
Check out our Instagram for more information, and let us know in the comments below your favorite tips on how to avoid greenwashing.
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