Nearly every item today seems to have a “green” label of some sort. Many companies use terms like “Mother Earth Approved” and “eco-friendly,” but these terms hold very little meaning. Consumers should be aware that green products aren’t always earth friendly. In fact, most green products are little more than misleading. By becoming investigative shoppers, consumers can avoid purchasing a product that claims to be green, but it little more than a marketing gimmick.
Be on the Lookout
The only real way to determine whether or not a product is really green is to try to find out why a product does what it claims to do. If, for example, a roll of paper towels claims to be environmentally friendly, ask yourself how this statement could be true. Are the towels made from bio-degradable material? Can you re-use the towels? If a product claim doesn’t make sense, it’s probably a case of false advertising.
It is also a wise idea to find product proof. If a product claims to support green living, find out why that product helps the environment. Consumers really need to be aware that the majority of green products on the market are not green at all. In fact, the term “green” has simply become a good way for marketers to sell products at a much higher price.
Where Green Works
There are some types of products that tend to be truly “green.” Manufacturers who create building materials often have to adhere to stricter laws regarding green advertising. Thus, these manufacturers tend to create products that are truly green (when a product claims to be eco-friendly). You may also find that many retailers offer green clothing lines.
These clothing items are frequently made from bamboo or other sustainable materials, and these products can be considered truly green. However, it is important to question any product that claims to be green. You can write to a company, ask how a product is truly green, and analyze a green product carefully.
There is an organization that provides what is called LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). That is supposed to be one of the “legitimate” organizations in the green industry as they have true standards and are said to follow through with seeing if they were implemented.
Laws and Regulations
Unfortunately, most countries do not require manufacturers to stick to tough laws when labeling products green. In fact, many manufacturers can get away with calling a product “green” if a small portion of a product adheres to any part of an environmental law. Some products must pass stricter regulations than other products, but this is rarely the case.
In the end, it is up to consumers to look critically at green products. In the instance that a product claims to be green, find out if the product is truly worth that higher price. More often than not, you will discover that green products are simply products with a higher price tag. Sadly, very few manufacturers tend to create product that actually help the environment.
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