Have you heard the term green washing? Well what exactly is it, and how it is it used? Green washing is a term that is used for when a company claims to have green, natural, or clean products. You've most likely seen a package that claims something along the lines of 95% Natural, 99% plant derived, botanical ingredients, eco-friendly, etc and then look at the ingredient list and scratch you head in confusion.
Companies use green washing to target people who are trying to buy/use products that are more environmentally friendly. This can be done with branding colours - think logos with earth tone coloured font or plants/leaves incorporated into the design, or the colours used in the actual packaging of the product itself. Packaging can be misleading in many ways, for example when a company claims that they use only paper packaging for that refill of soap you bought and then you open the box and find there is actually a plastic bag inside. The reason brands are greenwashing is to sell their products to a) a different demographic of people or b) to rebrand some of their existing products so they can increase sales - it's all a marketing scheme.
So how can we decipher a good product from a greenwashed one?
Step 1: Look for products from companies that are certified B corp. B corp certified companies pledge that they have a low environmental impact. Step 2: Skim the ingredients list and look for possible questionable ingredients. Generally I choose products with a shorter ingredients list and products with ingredients I can understand and know what their functionality is. Step 3: Choose products that have a refill station! Some stores have a bring your own container and you can have it weighed before hand so you're only paying for the product.
And I know as daunting and meticulous as it is to read product information, you should be aware of what ingredients go into the products you use on the daily because some ingredients linger and can be detrimental to you and the health of our earth.
Some common ingredients to watch out for:
⤷Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - A surfactant used in an array of products that irritates the respiratory tract, eye, and skin, and can cause dermal sensitivities over prolonged use. ⤷Phosphates - Phosphate is a chemical derived from phosphoric acid. Detrimental to aquatic life as it changes the Ph of the water and creates a breeding ground for algae to bloom. ⤷Fragrance - A unknown amount of ingredients can be combined into the word "fragrance" itself. Does not have to list chemicals associated with that particular ingredient. Not all fragrance is bad, essential oils can be used in lieu. ⤷Ammonia - A gas that can naturally occur from decomposing plant and animal matter, as well as from fertilizer. It is extremely caustic and toxic to aquatic life. Ammonia from fertilizers can make its way into fresh waterways and contaminate our drinking water. ⤷Silicones - Particles can accumulate and cause damage to freshwater from build up because it is non-biodegradable.
Choosing a cleaner, safer alternative is an easy swap! It can be as simple as using a product that comes in a glass bottle opposed to plastic, or simply DIY your own products at home. Remember, just because something claims it is natural that isn't always the case. And if your products do come in plastic containers remember to clean them out properly so they can be recycled and given a new life! I hope this blog post was informative and you consider making the swap to healthier for you products!
Recommended swaps for home:
Nature Clean products are amazing! They are certified biodegradable and cruelty-free, and they are also vegan with plastic free options too!
Nature Clean Automatic dishwasher pods - The BEST dishwasher tabs!
Nature Clean Dishwasher rinse agent - Keeps your dishes sparkly and reduces white spots.
Nature Clean Multi-surface cleaner - The best scented surface cleaner with antibacterial tea tree oil and lime that has no residue!
Take care and have a wonderful day,
Nat xx
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