Out with the old.

Green washing, an old concept now modernized. The idea of green washing is claiming that a product is sustainable. Sadly, this problem is growing throughout the world. In the UK they are reviewing their advertising "green claims" and France has announced new guidelines. In the united states, is trying to regulate current guidelines. When the typical consumer hears about the falsity of the green information they no longer know what to believe and won't purchase green products over others. In the article called the Greenwash Guide, they explain the difference between greenwash and "claims" so you too can spot the real thing. 


1. Using fancy language that lacks a clear meaning.
2. Look at green products and look where they are made or how. 
3. Pretty green images that suggest green. 
4. Irrelevant claims
5. Saying that they are greener than the rest
6. Not credible: Eco friendly cigarettes 
7. Jargon only a scientist could understand.
8. A label that looks like a third party enforcer that doesn't exist
9. No proof
10. Fake claims and lying about data.


Quail by Mail claims to be ethic chic, I feel like this company is legitimate. They claim that they use organic cotton, peace silk and other natural materials. They are environmentally friendly and recycle and they work in a green office and studio. 

However, Green Active Apple claims to be "ethically produced", "organic", and "Fair Trade Certified". After reading over the company profile I question their "unique" approach to providing a healthier alternative in the apparel market. 

It doesn't matter the product or how it is presents, but all company's have the same goal: to attract consumers to buy their product, and not another. I think that the US Federal Trade Commission needs to come up with a more specific regulations and make consumers aware. Promoting the idea of green washing to consumers would help consumers understand and trust the company, especially if they are transparent and communicate their efforts and use a credible approach. Consumers tend to enjoy reward programs, in the article called Eco-Promising, it suggests that companies increase availability of environmentally friendly products and remove poor performing products and come up with new reward programs to give customers the incentive to buy your product. I think that green washing is inevitable because people always manipulate claims just to get money. Hopefully the government and other regulations can make the popularity of green washing decrease.