[webuyitgreen.com]

Do you have any examples of companies that have made misleading claims to the "green" label in order to sell their products? Please share them.

[GreenTomThumb]

OH yeah all the time!

[webuyitgreen.com]

Please share them. I'd like to write a little blog about them.

[GreenTomThumb]

Since my career is in the fireworks industry, I have encountered some instances of greenwashing. I was recently hired by Bright Sky Fireworks, which is a decently small yet new group trying to enter the market. The new company was great to work for until a recent experience I had with them. They wanted to separate their shows from other people and came up with the idea of a "green" fireworks show. They thought that now with all the changing in the world in regards to making things green and environmentally friendly, it would be a good idea to help promote it.
I did not like this idea for this reason. The chemical agent in green fireworks is Barium Carbonate [BaCO3] which is probably the most harmful chemical used in the firework industry. As you can see this is very deceiving for the crowd thinking that yes we're promoting a more "green" society yet we're using the worst chemical. I talked to the people about after the show and they had to agree with me about that. So thankfully, we will not produce a show like that in the future.

Another instance is from my aunt who works at local grocery store Henry and Mitch's Meats...yes it's in a very small town. My aunt is also quite an avid green person so she let me in on this story. They recently got some new "environmentally friendly" shopping bags but she told me that it is more harmful to produce these bags than the regular plastic ones. Apparently it isn't the only store supplied by this particular bag chain, and other grocery stores are now receiving it. Again people are being deceived in this subject and believing they're making a difference when they are not.

These are some examples that I know of about greenwashing...and I'd love to read your blog when you are done on this subject! Let me know when you finish writing it!

[webuyitgreen.com]

Great examples! What was the fireworks company claiming about why these fireworks were green if they used a harmful chemical? And do you know the name of the grocery bags or company that makes them?

[GreenTomThumb]

It was all about publicity for the company I worked for. By doing this "green" show they thought they could really build up an audience which makes us popular...which means more shows for us and more money. Basically they wanted to build up a reputation of being a more environmentally friendly firework company.

As for the grocery store, I really don't know all the details because my aunt lives in Utah and we have not really talked recently...she told me the story at a family reunion. If I get in contact with her I'll ask her about it.

[Green-Moo]

Sadly, I think 'greenwashing' is becoming more common as businesses realise they can use 'green' as a marketing tool. Just shows that you really do need to do your research before taking stuff at face value.

[webuyitgreen.com]

I agree. I also think that as "green" becomes a more valuable commodity, we will see companies developing more sophisticated strategies for creating the appearance of being environmentally friendly. In order to cope with this, consumers will need resources to help them sort out the green wheat from the chaff.

[mbtaluka]

Such things are more clearly visible almost all over India, not sure which ones to mention. Perfect example can be just mineral water bottles which aren't trust worthy at any cost.

[mbtaluka]

These are more often seen in almost all parts of India especially it is mineral water bottles are the best example.