what is greenwashing?
Have you gone to a store, browsed the aisles of cleaning products or beauty products and grabbed something because it had a nice, clean, modern label? Or it was stamped with “all-natural?” You might have been the victim of greenwashing. This article will explain what greenwashing is and why it’s important to guard yourself against it.
what is greenwashing?
Greenwashing is when an organization uses disinformation to appear environmentally-friendly or non-toxic. This might be with its packaging, its fake “stamps of approval,” or its meaningless terms that trick a consumer into believing the company cares about the earth or consumer over profits.
Here are some examples of greenwashing:
Companies using “green” imagery, such as leaves or animals
Companies using terms that aren’t tested in any way, such as “pure” or “baby-friendly”
Companies stating their products are free of chemicals that aren’t relevant, such as a company saying its water is gluten-free
Why does this matter?
First, the organization is misleading its customers, which is unethical. Second, misinformation, like a company saying its lotion is safe for babies when it isn’t, is unfair to parents and unsafe for children. Third, these lies can have negative long-term effects on our bodies and our environment.
So, what should we do about it?
Become a conscious consumer of the products you buy. What does that mean? It means you pause before buying new products. You don’t automatically trust the labels on packaging or advertisements. You look at the ingredients to see if they’re safe; you look into the company to see if it’s trustworthy. Then you make a decision to buy.
Hi! I'm Gigi; I'm a postpartum doula, mother to three toddlers, including twins, and a wife to my high school sweetheart.
As a former teacher, I bring realistic, evidence-based, and actionable advice (and LOTS of handouts.) I help families get all the tools they need to prepare, so once baby arrives, they can focus on resting and bonding instead of researching or stressing. I’m here to streamline the newborn learning curve and help birth parents, partners, and other family members. There isn’t ONE way to have and raise a little human. I’m here to guide parents to find THEIR way so that they can thrive in the fourth trimester and beyond.
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