Greenwashing: What It Is, and How to Spot It

Chello pretty peoples! 🥰

At some point, you’ve probably seen a product that looks super eco-friendly—green packaging, leaves or trees in the logo, words like “natural” or “planet-safe.” You feel good buying it. But later, you learn that it wasn’t all that green after all.

That, my friend, is greenwashing.

Greenwashing is when a company pretends to be environmentally friendly in order to sell more products—without actually doing much to help the environment. Sometimes it’s sneaky wording. Sometimes it’s beautiful branding with no real action behind it. And sometimes it’s just… flat-out misleading.

So why do companies do it?

Because sustainability sells. More and more people care about the planet, and that means brands want to cash in. But instead of changing how they operate, many just change how they market themselves.

It’s easier to print “eco-conscious” on a plastic bottle than to actually stop using plastic.

Common greenwashing red flags:

• Vague words like “green,” “eco,” “all natural,” or “non-toxic” without clear definitions or certifications.
• Earthy packaging that looks sustainable, but isn’t. (Plastic still looks like plastic, even if it’s green.)
• No proof. If a product claims to be sustainable but doesn’t explain how, ask questions.
• One good thing, lots of bad things. A company might highlight one small change, like using 5% recycled materials—while still polluting or overproducing massively.
• Misleading imagery, like flowers or forests that have nothing to do with the product.

How to protect yourself (and the planet):

You don’t need to be a scientist or an expert. Here are a few easy tips:
• Look for trusted third-party certifications, like Fairtrade, GOTS, FSC, Svanen/Nordic Ecolabel, or Öko-Tex.
• Don’t trust buzzwords—read the fine print.
• Support small businesses that are transparent about their sourcing and production (like… hi, me!).
• Ask questions. If a company is proud of its sustainability, it should be happy to share the details.

Real sustainability takes effort.

It’s not always perfect. It’s messy, ongoing, and filled with tough choices. But it’s real. And that’s what we should be supporting—not just the appearance of it.

The truth? You’re doing better than you think, just by learning and paying attention.

And if you’re ever unsure about a product, feel free to message me—I’m always happy to help you spot the green gems from the greenwashed.

For a less greenwashed world 🌱