Recognizing and avoiding greenwash : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

As green claims on product packaging flood the marketplace, the opportunities for companies to market their products as environmentally friendly has significantly increased over the past decade. Consumers are concerned about their impact on the environment and want to purchase products that are safe and eco-friendly. Unfortunately, some companies have taken advantage of this growth in demand by marketing products as green when they are not necessarily better for the environment. These companies are placing false claims on product packaging, which is a type of misleading environmental marketing called greenwash.This paper will discuss what greenwashing is, why it's a problem, what is being done to prevent it, and how consumers can avoid it. The purpose of Recognizing and Avoiding Greenwash is to educate the reader about the characteristics of greenwash and provide them with steps for determining if a green product is legitimate. This paper will also provide the reader with a better understanding of green claims and certifications. Since green products are becoming mainstream, it's important for consumers to understand green claims to ensure that they are purchasing products that are truly better for the environment and not simply portrayed as better through greenwashing.