“Chemical-free” is another term often used on labels. Let’s ‘get this straight’, nothing is free of chemicals, not even you. Water is made up of chemicals; all plants, animals, and humans are made of chemicals. Perhaps you have been green-washed!
The Truth
Meat labelled “natural” might have been treated with antibiotics and a chicken labelled “free range” might never have gone outside. Words such as these are irrelevant and distract the consumer from finding a greener option. Too often, the consumer is being “green-washed” into believing their products is safe and effective. Sadly, this is not the case.
“The green market is booming in Canada, where 70 per cent of consumers say they are willing to spend up to 20 per cent more for environmentally preferable items”, says Nancy Wright, vice-president of Vancouver’s Globe Foundation which conducts market research and organizes trade shows for green business.
This is music to the ears of any environmental advocate. It is also a major marketing opportunity for some manufacturers. A company may claim to be ‘green’ but actually, words such as non-toxic, hypoallergenic (a term invented in the 1950’s by cosmetic advertisers), fragrance free, earth smart, and natural are really meaningless with no set standards. So, don’t always trust what you read. The best defense is awareness and education. For example, let’s take the term -“Non-toxic.” Everything is toxic in sufficient dosage. Think about it. Salt is a natural product but in some situations, salt can be very dangerous to environmental and human health.
The Six Sins of Green-washing
In November 2007, TerraChoice released a report entitled “Six Sins of Green-washing” – A Study of Environmental Claims in North American Consumer Markets. The study made several great suggestions about how to look for green-washed products: “A bathroom cleaner splashes “Chlorine Free” on its label but doesn’t mention that it still contains other potentially dangerous ingredients. Light bulb manufacturers might claim their products are energy-efficient but provide no evidence or certification. Phrases such as “Chemical-free,” “Non-toxic,” and “All Natural” lead us to believe a product is safe. But something can be All Natural and still be hazardous: arsenic, uranium, crude oil, mercury, and tobacco, these are all “natural.”
Be aware of green-washing: a phenomenon in marketing
You can probably assume that products that have their environmental goodness splashed all over the label aren’t so great. Usually, it’s the products that are sitting quietly on the shelf (like baking soda and vinegar) that are your best bet. Research the product by checking the manufacturer’s website, and once you know that the product is safe, continue to purchase it.
Look for the company’s environmental mission statement or commitment to the environment. Furthermore, find out what the manufacturer’s policy is on the environment or on sustainability. You are certain to discover a great deal about the company. To learn how to avoid being green-washed by Eco-marketers, know the ‘truth’ in your ingredients by researching them. As well, learn about the company and their sustainability practices and support local, where possible, when possible.
70 per cent of consumers say they are willing to spend up to 20 per cent more for environmentally preferable items ~ Nancy Wright
Do the work!
Investigate the ingredients in products you are planning to purchase. Green-washing is everywhere and especially rampant in products where companies are trying to portray themselves as Eco-friendly. In fact, they are not! Looking at the ingredients is a good start to help you learn more about any product. Especially, if you are putting it on your body. If you can’t get the ingredients, it’s a good idea to stay clear of the product. What you don’t know may do damage.
Here are 12 chemicals that studies have shown to have serious health impacts:
• Antibacterials
• Coal tar colours: FD&C Blue 1, Green 3
• Diethanolamine (DEA)
• 1,4-Dioxane (present in sodium laureth sulfate and other –eth ingredients)
• Formaldehyde
• Fragrance
• Hydroquinone
• Mercury and lead
• Nanoparticles
• Parabens (methyl-, ethylpropyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-)
• Petroleum distillates
• Phenylenediamine (PPD)
These are just a few harmful chemicals, but there are many more. Did you know that at least 100,000 chemicals exist today? Buying locally made products has many benefits. It helps to reduce your carbon footprint and supports your local, regional or national economy. Remember, that local business people and farmers live in the area. Therefore, it’s much easier to get to know these people. So, find out more about them, and get to know their products.
It’s easy to be green-washed. Learn how to sort out the impostors from the genuinely green. All the while, you will educe the impact of green-washing. Then you can share your findings with friends and family. Be aware, know the real ‘truth’. Your general health and the environment will thank you.
Melanie Vollick, Freelance Writer
e-mail: melanie@writewaycommunications.ca
229 Comments
armband slits boxwave iphone
May 11, 2015 at 5:51 amcable motorola c331g c333g
May 11, 2015 at 5:28 pmchanging mirrored sunglasses gorgeous
May 12, 2015 at 12:14 pmverizon xenda rotatable
May 13, 2015 at 1:31 amSue
May 13, 2015 at 4:33 pmSoon
May 14, 2015 at 9:50 pmAbigail
May 17, 2015 at 11:41 amBrook
May 17, 2015 at 9:35 pmMariela
May 20, 2015 at 1:46 pmJonelle
May 21, 2015 at 1:45 pmhttp://paidsurveysb.tripod.com/
May 22, 2015 at 3:44 pmminecraft games
May 23, 2015 at 5:03 amGlendora
May 24, 2015 at 5:14 pmminecraft.exe
May 26, 2015 at 2:53 amRosendo
May 26, 2015 at 10:03 amminecraft.exe
May 27, 2015 at 4:54 pmmatch.com free trial
May 28, 2015 at 4:19 amminecraft.exe
May 28, 2015 at 8:46 amVinita
May 29, 2015 at 11:46 amgamefly 3 month free trial
May 29, 2015 at 8:18 pmmatch.com free trial
May 30, 2015 at 4:25 amGiuseppe
May 30, 2015 at 6:30 pmgamefly 3 month free trial
May 31, 2015 at 3:00 amEdisonJCronic
May 31, 2015 at 7:46 pmquest bars
June 1, 2015 at 11:11 amAlidaGIstorico
June 1, 2015 at 2:41 pmdiet plans for women to lose weight
June 2, 2015 at 5:19 amDierdreSLandberg
June 3, 2015 at 12:01 amdiet plans for women to lose weight
June 3, 2015 at 9:06 amCharlieHAravjo
June 3, 2015 at 12:19 pmquest bars
June 3, 2015 at 8:36 pmdiet plans for women to lose weight
June 4, 2015 at 1:52 amBeaWJerrett
June 7, 2015 at 10:14 amquest bar coupon codes
June 8, 2015 at 7:59 pmDannetteIGlaspie
June 9, 2015 at 3:36 pmquest coupons
June 9, 2015 at 7:09 pmmujeres morenas hermosas
June 9, 2015 at 9:36 pmdiet plans for women to lose weight
June 10, 2015 at 11:05 pmShanonWPecanty
June 11, 2015 at 1:20 amFlorindaWChowhan
June 12, 2015 at 8:03 pmKemberlyETreacy
June 13, 2015 at 6:04 pmDorianDSilvester
June 17, 2015 at 11:00 pmhair treatment
June 19, 2015 at 10:48 amRusselFDickes
June 24, 2015 at 10:57 ammujeres hermosas
June 24, 2015 at 6:03 pmTerranceJBleggi
June 25, 2015 at 2:39 pmdesign girl games
June 26, 2015 at 1:59 amHilma Olivia
June 27, 2015 at 7:36 pmWilheminaOBacy
June 28, 2015 at 8:50 pmBrookUHitson
July 1, 2015 at 10:54 amAngellaOBoarts
July 4, 2015 at 12:08 pmCarrolBBerulie
July 4, 2015 at 8:24 pmHattieSLeibert
July 7, 2015 at 5:41 pmCarrolXChay
July 8, 2015 at 9:45 pmCyrstalYPalmios
July 9, 2015 at 12:56 pmCindieCFuapau
July 11, 2015 at 1:16 amCharlieBCaneza
July 13, 2015 at 2:34 amfinding split ends
July 26, 2015 at 6:02 pmcatching a cheating wife
July 28, 2015 at 9:54 amwww.literie62.com
July 29, 2015 at 7:54 pmLuisa
July 30, 2015 at 7:37 amhttp://wongbacc.edublogs.org/
July 31, 2015 at 10:02 amstress impacts
August 1, 2015 at 8:41 pmoem parts
August 3, 2015 at 3:03 pmkeep finding split
August 13, 2015 at 2:53 pmgraffiti Artist
August 16, 2015 at 11:40 amquest bars
August 16, 2015 at 5:43 pmMatch.com Free Trial For Existing Users
August 28, 2015 at 5:06 amminecraft games
August 30, 2015 at 6:28 amminecraft games
August 30, 2015 at 9:22 pmminecraft games
August 31, 2015 at 3:22 amminecraft games
August 31, 2015 at 7:27 pmminecraft games
September 1, 2015 at 7:59 pmCoconut Oil Benefits
September 10, 2015 at 10:40 ammake money today scam free
October 1, 2015 at 5:45 pmPlenty Of Fish Dating Site Of Free Dating
October 13, 2015 at 8:56 pmPlenty Fish dating
October 15, 2015 at 9:02 ampof login sign In
October 16, 2015 at 4:58 pmPof Relaciones En Línea
October 17, 2015 at 7:49 amPlenty Of Fish Search Free
October 17, 2015 at 12:49 pmquest bars Discount
October 18, 2015 at 4:01 amfree match trial
October 22, 2015 at 8:35 pmmatch free trials
October 26, 2015 at 6:23 pmmatch.com free trial membership
October 28, 2015 at 12:29 ammatch free trial promo code
November 1, 2015 at 3:51 ampure forskolin
November 4, 2015 at 3:32 amforskolin for weight loss where to buy
November 4, 2015 at 9:14 pmplenty of fish dating site of free dating
November 5, 2015 at 4:05 pmMelvina
November 5, 2015 at 4:22 pmplenty of fish dating site of free dating
November 6, 2015 at 9:36 amPlenty Of Fish Dating Site Of Free Dating
November 7, 2015 at 3:17 amwomen's baldness
November 7, 2015 at 2:56 pmkroger coupons
November 10, 2015 at 8:32 pmMuoi
November 12, 2015 at 5:24 amkroger digital coupons
November 15, 2015 at 3:06 amcarolyfyx.livejournal.com
November 16, 2015 at 7:53 pmBoris
November 18, 2015 at 7:24 pmRochester Dim sum near me
November 6, 2019 at 10:57 pmViolet
December 4, 2019 at 4:21 amGudang lagu
February 17, 2020 at 6:49 pmLyallpur Organics
October 7, 2021 at 5:55 am에볼루션카지노
March 18, 2022 at 7:09 amtotosite
September 16, 2022 at 9:16 pmSKII
October 10, 2022 at 12:25 amadvgamble
October 25, 2022 at 5:04 amslotsite
November 1, 2022 at 9:15 pmcasinosite
November 27, 2022 at 2:13 amsafetoto
November 28, 2022 at 2:48 ambaccarat online
December 8, 2022 at 4:57 am스포츠중계
December 26, 2022 at 1:16 am스포츠중계
December 26, 2022 at 1:17 am