— The Concept of “Greenwashing”

THE intersection of consumerism and climate consciousness is growing. As more consumers become aware of the environmental impacts of climate change, their spending habits are increasingly influenced by the current state of our planet. In marketing, words like “sustainability,” “eco-friendly,” and “recyclable” are highly profitable, leading consumers to purchase supposedly eco-conscious products. However, are these labels truly meaningful and reliable, or are they simply marketing strategies?

Greenwashing, a term coined in the 1980s, refers to the deceptive marketing of products as sustainable or environmentally friendly. This practice is prevalent across all business industries. For instance, the oil industry funds clean-up campaigns to divert attention from the toxic nature of their by-products. Similarly, business moguls may launch recyclable packaging while still using private jets for travel. Another example is a beauty company that labels its products as natural, yet the ingredient list and packaging contain toxic chemicals.

Greenwashing is dangerous, and I believe penalties should be imposed for certain levels of it. It deceives consumers into believing that their purchases of certain items are responsible for creating a cleaner and safer world. This creates a false sense of progress and utilises consumerism to boost company profits rather than prioritising environmental sustainability. In reality, consumers may unknowingly cause more harm to the environment by purchasing certain “green-labelled” products.

Let’s consider the beauty industry as an example. Many companies now label their products as “cruelty-free,” “dye-free,” “paraben-free,” or “green packaging.” Initially, consumers may purchase these products because they believe they not only work well but also reduce plastic waste and toxic chemicals in the world. However, these labels may not be entirely transparent about the business’s full operations.

For instance, many beauty businesses rely on “sweatshops” with inhumane working conditions. The by-products or chemicals produced during these operations may contaminate waterways. Additionally, the CEO and head of operations may travel in private planes or personally purchase animal-cruelty products. So, I ask: how honest and transparent is such a business model when the entire business and its people are not environmentally friendly?

Unfortunately, greenwashing is often successful within businesses, which is why many continue to use it. Consumers often purchase certain products based solely on the label, lacking the time or energy to investigate the companies or ingredients further. This is a known fact, and many companies exploit it to their advantage. They employ various tactics, and I urge you all to be aware of how you can fall into their traps. Greenwashing often uses colour schemes like green and earthy tones to create the illusion of a “green product.” They also use symbols like the recycling logo, a picture of a tree, and easy-to-read labels with environmentally friendly language.

While it’s important for consumers to research and take responsibility for the products they purchase, it shouldn’t be their sole responsibility. Governments and relevant authorities should implement stricter regulations and policies on environmentally friendly labelling. Additionally, I urge all climate and environmental organisations to continue advocating for the exposure of deceptive green labelling. I hope this article sheds light on a controversial practice among businesses worldwide and inspires Guyanese-owned businesses to stop greenwashing. It’s high time businesses prioritise sustainability for our environment rather than using it as a marketing tool.

The next time you purchase a product with a “green label,” I urge you to ask questions and research further. Who certifies these products? What evidence is there that this product is truly green? What are the long-term goals of this business? Who owns it? Is the manufacturing process transparent? Many powerful business moguls use greenwashing to market their products, but the future of our planet is at risk if we continue to allow them to deceive us.