Have You Been "Greenwashed"?
As social awareness towards the environment and sustainability continues to move forward and gain in popularity, more and more consumers are basing their purchasing decisions on a company's ability to provide and utilize “green systems.” As such, more and more facility managers are pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and requiring cleaning business owners provide green cleaning practices for their buildings.
Unfortunately, some cleaning companies have fallen victim to being “Greenwashed”
Some companies, eager to push out their products to the marketplace, are claiming to be green and environmentally friendly, when in fact these claims are false or misleading. For example, by meeting only the minimum standards for labeling themselves as "green" or "eco-friendly" companies are promoting their products as suitable earth-friendly alternatives, when in fact they are not. This is called "greenwashing".
The good news is, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is watching out.
On October 29, 2013, the FTC announced six enforcement actions, including one that imposes a $450,000 civil penalty and five that for the first time address biodegradable plastic claims, as part of the agency's ongoing crackdown on false and misleading environmental claims.
Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure the products you use are living up to their “green” claims.
Know the terminology
A product labeled as "organic" only has to be 95% organic to use that label. A product that is 100% organic will say "100% organic". "CFC-free" is an often seen catch phrase related to ozone depletion, even though CFC's (Chlorofluorocarbons) were banned over 20 years ago.
Look for certification logos
Stiff penalties for misusing green certification labels go a long way toward making sure that companies can live up to the claims on their cleaning product.
The EcoLogo certification from Canada is the oldest environmental standard and certification program in North America, in effect since 1988. Their website lists over 7000 products that carry their certification emblem. Only products that have met the criteria are allowed to display the EcoLogo.
The Green Seal® label in the United States requires companies to submit their products for evaluation before being allowed to display the seal or have a listing on their site.
Natural doesn't always mean green
Arsenic and formaldehyde are two naturally occurring substances that you wouldn't want in your home or your cleaning products. Be aware that "all natural" products are not necessarily good for you and you must read the labels carefully to see what is actually in the product. Several "natural" ingredients are toxic.
Use the power of the internet
Several sites maintain lists of the products that they certify: www.greenseal.org and www.ecologo.org and several websites have lists of products that make claims that are not 100% accurate. Google the term greenwashing for instance and you will find all sorts of sites ready to point the finger at offenders.
Buyer beware should be second nature by now for consumers. But with the explosion of awareness surrounding eco-issues, you must be extra careful to check into the claims being made on your products to ensure the manufacturers are indeed living up to their hype.
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