The Great Greenwashing Debate

For those of you relatively new to the world of green, “greenwashing” is a term used to describe the use of environmental promises to turn a profit, even when, upon closer look, those promises don’t really pan out. Basically, a company misleads you into thinking they’re doing something good for the environment when they are, in fact, not.

For example, say a company starts a new recycling program, converting their used packaging into a new product, the general public might think they’re doing something great and purchase that new product. Upon closer inspection, one might discover that this company, to implement the recycling program, ships the trash overseas, uses tons of energy to convert it into the new product, and, in the end, does more harm than good in order to produce a “green” product that will sell. That’s greenwashing.

Of course, cases aren’t always so clear cut. Sometimes, what is greenwashing to one person is legitimate to another. Recently, I’ve come across two interesting views on greenwashing. Read them here:

Joel Makower, Two Steps Forward: How Bad is Greenwashing, Really?

Inspired Protagonist, Seventh Generation: Greenwashing is Bad. Really.

Enjoy – and be sure to leave a comment letter me know what you think about greenwashing!