Whether you have been living a green lifestyle for years or are a newcomer to living green, you likely know the importance of purchasing green products.  In today’s marketplace, there’s no shortage of consumer products that promise to help the environment and reduce their impact.  However, determining which of these products and companies are really providing a concrete benefit to the environment and which are simply using it as a marketing ploy can be difficult.  Greenwashing is the act of misleading consumers to believe that a product is better for the environment than it actually is.  In order to make the best use of your spending power and choose products that are actually making a difference, you will need to learn to identify greenwashing companies and avoid them whenever possible.  Here are some simple things you can do immediately to help you spend responsibly.

Read the Fine Print on the Label:

Whatever a product’s advertising claims are, the label doesn’t lie.  Look for indicators that the product is made with recycled materials and read the ingredients list, if applicable.  Often, claims will be made that a product doesn’t contain a certain chemical and is therefore better for the environment.  Check labels on competing products to see if they contain the chemical either.

Check Out the Packaging:

Green packaging is one of the more obvious ways to determine if a company is committed to helping the environment.  Regardless of how green the actual product is, if the packaging is big, bulky, or non-biodegradable, then there’s something wrong.  Look for minimal packaging as well as the potential to recycle the packaging later.

Call the Company:

If you have any doubts about a company’s impact on the environment, call them up and ask for more information.  Be polite when you call and ask for information about their green efforts.  Many companies will be able to easily provide you with the information you are asking for.  However, if a piece of information seems sketchy, ask for more details.  For example, if the company states that it will plant a tree for each of its products which are purchased, ask where the trees are being planted and what they will be used for.

Do Your Own Research:

There are many different websites and blogs devoted to discussing environmental topics such as greenwashing.  To find these websites, try searching for “[Company X] greenwashing” in Google.  Be aware that there are no censors online and many sites promote inaccurate information.  Use your gut instinct to help you decide how much importance to give a particular blog or website.  Another good source is to check out the company’s website.  Often, you can find additional information and facts about their products and environmental policies simply by browsing their website.

When purchasing products, you will need to evaluate for yourself which companies are truly good for the environment and which are simply greenwashing their products to make a sale.  By following the tips above to help you identify the green from the not-so-green products, you can make a more informed purchasing decision and avoid greenwashing.