Greenwashing products has become a trend recently as consumers shift towards conscious purchases. This trend is prevalent in various industries that are part of our routines.
These industries include food, clothing, automobile, and appliances. Therefore, being aware of greenwashed products is essential to contribute to the environment.
With some research and intuitive buying habits, one can easily accomplish this goal of sustainable purchase. We discuss greenwashing and how various industries use this tactic to increase sales.
What Is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing is a current marketing tactic that tricks consumers into buying products that ‘seem’ environmentally friendly even when they are not. This unethical strategy is employed by various industries that subtly promote their products as eco-friendly. However, when asked for evidence, they come up short.
Greenwashed products aren’t necessarily harmful but offer no positive environmental effects. At times, other related manufacturing and distribution strategies offset the supposedly positive impact of the products.
Industries That Sell Greenwashed Products
The trend of greenwashed products entered the market when consumers became more conscious regarding their purchases. Nonetheless, some industries, such as food, clothing, automobile, and appliances, have exploited this trend the most.
Food
Consumers are offered food products, including pet food, as locally sourced, which indicates less transportation and pollution. These locally sourced products are obtained from local farms that genetically modify their products. Hence, the product that might initially seem advantageous poses a threat to health instead.
Food packaging has also received extreme backlash in recent years. Therefore, companies claim they’ll reduce waste to gain customer support.
These companies have nothing to report when asked to back these claims with practical strategies. This exploitation is typical for big food and beverage brands, including Coca-Cola, Nestle, etc.
Clothing
The fashion industry has always been criticized for waste. However, the trend increased when fast fashion stores took over the streets.
Their PR uses greenwashing tactics to curb the negative coverage these brands might receive. Several brands claim to manufacture clothing from sustainable materials even though other associated manufacturing practices might entirely counter the effects of those materials.
Most of the time, these companies use other ingredients that harm the environment. They keep this information concealed and focus only on using one material in their marketing tactics. Hence, it’s essential to understand that sustainability isn’t synonymous with eco-friendly.
Automobile
Automobile companies mainly distract consumers from their harmful products by grabbing attention by installing an environmentally friendly product. Regardless of these eco-friendly products, there’s no change in the harm that automobile products are causing. For instance, a fuel-efficient vehicle isn’t necessarily eco-friendly.
Appliances
Using buzzwords in their marketing campaigns and specific images associated with good causes often tricks consumers into thinking the appliances are making an environmental difference. Though the truth is these are only tactics to gain consumer sympathy. Various brands claim energy efficiency with their products but fail to prove so.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of these industries as they invest thousands of dollars in their PR and marketing strategies. These marketing experts know consumer psychology and what would make an ideal buyer ‘tick.’ However, being intuitive about your purchases and having information through research regarding a company’s standard practices can help you make informed decisions.
