Tag: greenwash

bamboo container with white cotton pads beside the cotton scrim fabric

Before I started caring about my environmental impact, I had never heard of ‘greenwashing‘.

It’s when companies pretend to care about the environment to the public but actually harm it through their actions. They use clever tricks and modern marketing to hide the truth.

In this blog post, I’ll explain the significant impacts of greenwashing and share five simple rules to help you avoid falling for it as a mindful consumer. Together, we can fight against greenwashing and work towards a genuinely sustainable future.

Greenwashing is a deceptive practice that tricks consumers.
Greenwashing can have significant consequences for investors and their hard-earned money.
Greenwashing can lead us to unintentionally overlook genuine sustainability efforts.
Greenwashing can delay urgent actions needed to address environmental issues.
Companies that greenwash can use their deceptive tactics to argue against stricter environmental regulations.

white eco plates — This pack of plates is wrapped in plastic but still claims it is ‘eco’

Impacts: misleading consumers and destroying trust

Picture yourself standing in a store aisle, eyeing a cleaning product with bold letters proclaiming it as the ‘most eco-friendly cleaning product you can buy’.

It sounds like the perfect choice for a responsible consumer like you, right?

The desire to make a positive impact on the planet motivates many of us to opt for environmentally friendly options. However, here’s where greenwashing sneaks in, misleading our judgment.

Greenwashing is a deceptive practice that tricks consumers into believing they are making eco-conscious choices when, in reality, they unknowingly support environmentally harmful practices.

Companies exploit greenwashing-related words and imagery on their packaging, manipulating our good intentions to boost sales.

On the other hand, greenwashing can destroy trust in eco-friendly claims, making it harder for consumers to identify authentic, sustainable products and companies.

Impacts: misleading investors and risking their investments

In the world of green investing and sustainable finance, an increasing number of investors are seeking both financial returns and positive environmental impact.

From individual investors to mutual fund managers, many are eager to support eco-friendly companies that align with their investment strategies and values.

However, lurking within this landscape of eco-conscious investments is the detrimental practice of greenwashing, which can have significant consequences for investors and their hard-earned money.

Moreover, investing in greenwashed companies can tarnish businesses’ reputations, leading to stock value declines and potential financial losses for investors.

Impacts: neglecting genuine sustainability efforts

When bombarded with ads on TV or online claiming environmental friendliness, it’s natural to feel sceptical. Trust in such claims has been destroyed by greenwashing, leaving us hesitant to believe any eco-friendly message.

Unfortunately, this scepticism can lead us to unintentionally overlook the genuine sustainability efforts of companies that are truly committed to making a positive impact.

Moreover, this impact extends beyond consumers. Even investors seeking to support environmentally responsible companies can be misled by greenwashing.

By directing their investments based on hollow eco-friendly claims, they may miss out on opportunities to support innovative and responsible businesses that are actively driving meaningful change and long-term value for the environment.

Impacts: Delaying urgent actions

The satisfaction of purchasing an eco-friendly product can be gratifying.

However, this feeling could also be built on greenwashing rather than genuine environmental responsibility.

Such deceptive marketing can give us a false sense of security, leading to complacency and delaying urgent actions needed to address environmental issues.

Greenwashing’s illusion of environmental responsibility can create a dangerous belief that consumers and companies have already done enough for the planet.

This misplaced sense of accomplishment can hinder the implementation of crucial ecological measures, posing significant environmental risks.

Impacts: weakening environmental regulations

It might surprise you that even non-profit organizations and annual events, like COP or Davos, can resort to greenwashing tactics.

Considerable resources are diverted into these events, but their actual impacts on policymaking and regulations fall short of expectations.

The delay in implementing effective measures can be disheartening, as immediate actions are crucial in addressing environmental challenges!

Companies that greenwash may also use their deceptive tactics to argue against stricter environmental regulations, claiming they are already making positive contributions.

Even worse, some companies’ greenwashing tactics have already made consumers think it’s individuals’ responsibility to do the right thing, not theirs!

Now, let’s shift our focus to how we can avoid falling victim to greenwashing.

A 2015 Nielsen poll shows that 66% of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods.

Additionally, a recent UK study found that nearly 77% of consumers in the UK believe that supporting eco-friendly products is vital to combat climate change.

In essence, sustainability is becoming a selling point in the market!

As a result, some companies may resort to shortcuts, marketing their products as eco-friendly without truly making fundamental changes to ensure sustainability.

To help you navigate through the sea of greenwashing and make informed choices, I’ve compiled five simple rules that will empower you as a conscious consumer.

Rules: Learn about ‘greenwashing’ buzzwords

You might believe you’re familiar with greenwashing tactics, but they extend much further than you can imagine.

From product packaging and colours to the bold words plastered on packages, everything seems to convey a message like, ‘Buy me because you’re doing good for the environment’.

People may have different perceptions of what packaging or colours signify eco-friendliness, but when it comes to the wording, there are several buzzwords you need to watch out for:

100% biodegradable bag — *Is this greenwashing?*

Eco-friendly: This term is commonly used to imply that a product has minimal environmental impact. However, be cautious, as it can be employed loosely without substantial evidence to support the claim.

Sustainable: Another frequently used buzzword, ‘sustainable’, suggests that a product is designed to support long-term environmental balance. However, this term should only be used with concrete proof of sustainable practices.

Earth-friendly: Often used interchangeably with eco-friendly, ‘earth-friendly’ implies that a product is gentle on the planet. But like other buzzwords, it may lack genuine substance.

Natural: Companies may label products as ‘natural’ to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. However, this term isn’t strictly regulated and doesn’t guarantee ecological friendliness.

Green: The word ‘green’ has become synonymous with environmental responsibility, but its usage may not always reflect genuine eco-consciousness.

Biodegradable: Products labelled as ‘biodegradable’ imply they break down naturally, but the conditions required for their decomposition might not align with typical waste disposal practices.

Organic: While ‘organic’ is commonly associated with environmentally friendly agriculture, it can be misleading when applied to non-food products.

Zero-waste: Products claiming ‘zero-waste’ might not always deliver on this promise, as achieving true zero-waste is challenging for most products.

Non-toxic: This term suggests a product is free from harmful substances but might not guarantee overall eco-friendliness.

Rules: Look out for third-party certifications

After becoming familiar with the aforementioned greenwashing buzzwords, it’s essential to dig deeper and seek evidence to support companies’ claims.

Take a moment to visit their websites and investigate whether concrete evidence backs up their eco-friendly assertions.

Look for signs that they implement sustainable practices in their supply chains and ethically and environmentally source their materials.

a FSC-Certified toy — An FSC-Certified toy for my friend’s child’s birthday.

Another effective method is checking for third-party certifications on the companies’ websites or product packages.

These certifications are awarded by independent organizations and can serve as reliable indicators of genuine sustainability efforts. Here are some common third-party certifications related to sustainability:

B Corp: Awarded to companies that meet rigorous social and environmental performance standards, certified B Corps are committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment.

FSC-Certified: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification indicates that products come from responsibly managed forests, promoting sustainable forestry practices.

USDA Organic: Given to agricultural products meeting stringent organic farming standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Green Seal: Products bearing the Green Seal logo meet specific environmental standards, ensuring they have a reduced environmental impact.

AISE: The International Association for Soaps, Detergents, and Maintenance Products certification monitors cleaning and hygiene products for their environmental friendliness.

EPEAT: Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certification evaluates the environmental impact of electronic products.

Rainforest Alliance: This certification promotes responsible agriculture and forestry practices to protect the environment and support local communities.

By recognizing these third-party certifications and conducting further research, you can better identify companies and products that have undergone rigorous evaluations and uphold potential sustainability commitments.

This information can guide you in making more informed choices as a conscious consumer, supporting businesses that align with your values and dedication to environmental responsibility.

Rules: Stay informed

Staying informed is a powerful way to hold companies accountable for their environmental claims.

Engaging with like-minded groups, whether online or offline, can provide valuable insights and knowledge.

Online platforms, especially social media, offer spaces where people exchange ideas, opinions, and personal experiences related to non-eco-friendly products and greenwashing.

Participating in these online communities allows you to learn from others’ experiences and avoid falling into the same traps.

However, it’s crucial to exercise discernment and choose whose opinions to trust, especially in the online world where misinformation can be prevalent.

You can become a more informed consumer by staying informed through reliable sources, engaging in conversations, and learning from others’ experiences.

This knowledge empowers you to make conscious choices, support genuine eco-friendly products, and play a part in promoting greater environmental responsibility.

Rules: Buy less

The truth is, we cannot shop our way to sustainability!

Whether it’s fast fashion, green fashion, or secondhand items, everything has a carbon footprint because they don’t magically appear out of thin air.

Therefore, buying less is one of the most impactful actions we can take to support true sustainability.

Resist the urge to make impulse purchases simply because you can afford them, want to appear stylish, or follow the latest trends.

While buying essential items like food and necessities is necessary, ask yourself honestly whether you genuinely need that bigger smart TV or the latest iPhone just because those around you have them.

Buying less not only reduces the demand for new products but also decreases the overall production and consumption of resources, leading to a lower environmental impact.

We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.
Dave Ramsey

Rules: Reuse or repurpose what you own

Instead of constantly seeking to acquire new things, focus on cherishing and making the most of your possessions.

Consider organizing clothing swaps with friends or local communities, allowing your clothes to find a new home and purpose.

Additionally, embrace the concept of repurposing what you own.

Give new life to old or worn-out items by transforming them into something useful or beautiful. From turning old jars into charming vases to repurposing worn-out clothing for cleaning rags, there’s no boundary.

By incorporating reuse and repurposing into your daily life, you contribute to a circular economy that values sustainability and minimizes waste.

Embrace the satisfaction of giving new purpose to old items, and you’ll discover that living sustainably can be both rewarding and fun!

Final thoughts

By following these rules, you can distinguish authentic eco-friendly products and companies from deceptive ones.

Let’s remain vigilant in our choices as consumers and investors, voting with our dollars for transparent practices. Together, we foster a culture of genuine environmental responsibility, driving positive change towards a more sustainable future for all.

Our mindful actions today create a greener, healthier planet for future generations. Let’s stand united in pursuing a sustainable world, turning the tide against greenwashing and shaping a thriving tomorrow!

two women tourists walking on rice field

Green Living: Is Sustainable Palm Oil The Answer?

By Rachel

On October 25, 2022

In Eco-friendly lifestyle

It’s the time of the year when supermarkets have started stocking their shelves with Christmas foods, festive treats and gift sets. I walked past the aisles and couldn’t help feeling depressed because I knew palm oil was certainly used in most of them.

You might wonder what’s wrong with using palm oil in commercial goods. I am not sure if you have watched the Iceland palm oil advert. I learned that palm oil plantations could cause deforestation and biodiversity loss through that advert. But the damage doesn’t just stop there! Palm oil workers often receive low wages, sometimes even below their local minimum wage. In addition, some children are forced to work in the palm fields for long hours. In short, the palm oil industry doesn’t only destroy the environment but also abuses workers’ rights.

So, as conscious consumers, what choices do we have regarding palm oil? Should we have it as business as usual? Or boycott and get rid of it entirely from our life? The conclusion I’ve reached might surprise you. So keep reading!

What is palm oil?

Crop

The oil palm tree originates from West Africa. In the late 19th century, it was introduced to Southeast Asia and took root in Malaysia and Indonesia in the early 20th century. Today, both countries account for a whopping 84% of global palm oil production.

The crop can only be grown in the tropics and takes around 3 to 4 years to produce fruits suitable for harvest. However, it’s a very productive plant, and some oil palm trees are even harvested twice a month once it starts to fruit.

Processing

Several steps are involved in extracting palm oil.

1. Fresh fruit bunches (FFB) are harvested from the tree. For short oil palm trees, workers use spades to get FFB. And for the tall ones, skilled workers use long poles with sharp knives at the end to get the bunches down to the ground.

2. FFBs from the palm field are delivered to the palm oil mill plant, where FFBs are sterilised by direct steaming and threshed. Then, they’re transferred to the extraction plant, where the oil is squeezed out from their skin and pulp. Lastly, the oil is diluted with water and debris and impurities are filtered out.

3. Now, palm oil can be sold as low-quality palm oil, but it is often sent to a refinery plant for further processing. The process refines palm oil and classifies it into various grades to meet different usage and requirements of finished products.

Other names for palm oil

They are over 200 different names for palm oil and its derivatives. That’s why it’s nearly impossible for consumers to tell if it is used in the product. Some common names for palm oil in different types of products are:

Foods: any ingredients starting with palm-, such as palm oil, palm stearin, sustainable palm oil, vegetable oil, vegetable fat etc.
Personal care: sodium lauryl, SLS, propylene glycol, steareth-30, steareth-20.
Comestics: glycerine, hydrogenated palm glycerides stearic acid, ethylhexyl palmit (or octyl palmitate), PKO.
Other products: palm oil, palm stearin, palmitate in candles, palm oil in biofuels/biodiesel

What products use palm oil?

Palm oil in West Africa and some southwest countries, such as India, and Malaysia, is sold as cooking oil. However, in the west, it’s mainly used as one of the ingredients in commercial goods. This type of palm oil is usually referred to as refined palm oil.

More than 50% of the products sold in the supermarket contain refined palm oil, from processed foods, bakery products, confectionery, peanut butter, and spreads, to cosmetics and hygiene products.

photo of woman pushing cart — Photo by Hobi industri on Pexels.com

Not-so-obvious products

Here are a few food products that you might not associate with palm oil, but they often use palm oil in their ingredients unless they specifically mention ‘palm oil free’ on the labels.

cheesecake
mayonnaise
vegan cheese
ice cream
cloudy lemonade
pet foods

So, as you can see, avoiding palm oil is hard if you buy any packaged foods. Food manufacturers like to use palm oil because it can give products a more smooth texture and provide a longer shelf life.

Non-food items

It’s also hard to give up palm oil when buying non-food items. The refined palm oil can be found in toothpaste, shampoos, soaps, body lotions, laundry detergents and even baby wipes! Palm oil helps those products to form bubbles easier or acts as a gentle emulsifying agent.

Which countries use the most palm oil?

With developing countries adapting their eating habits and lifestyle towards the west, they’re also consuming more refined palm oil in their diet and buying more commercial goods with palm oil in them. As a result, Asia, the emerging world region, has shown the most substantial demand for palm oil consumption in recent years.

According to the statistics, Indonesia, India and China are the top three largest consuming nations of palm oil, which is primarily destined for their food industry. However, Indonesia is also the biggest producer – the country exports and fulfils nearly two-thirds of the worldwide palm oil demand.

Why is palm oil so popular?

Palm oil is a very productive crop. This is because it’s much higher-yielding than other vegetable oils. As a result, it leads to a lower production cost for the suppliers.

Type of oil	Tonnes per hectare of farmed land
palm oil	3.3 tonnes/per hectare
rapeseed oil	0.7 tonnes/per hectare
sunflower oil	0.7 tonnes/per hectare
coconut oil	0.7 tonnes/per hectare
soybean oil	0.4 tonnes/per hectare

Annual yields of different vegetable oils

Besides its low cost, the foods/goods manufacturers embrace refined palm oil so much also because it’s odourless and colourless. It’s such a versatile key ingredient used in many various products. Last but not least, it facilitates the finished products to reach a smooth texture that customers like, extends the shelf life, and reduces food waste.

bread with peanut butter on top — Photo by Robbie Owen-Wahl on Pexels.com

So, if we place the three main roles in a product life cycle, namely suppliers, manufacturers and customers, then it’s clear why palm oil is so popular. Here’s a summary.

To suppliers: palm oil means a low-production cost.
To manufacturers: palm oil also brings down the overall cost and is a very versatile ingredient.
To customers: they like the neutral taste of palm oil and the creamy, smooth texture that palm oil provides. The low cost of palm oil also makes the finished products more affordable.

Why does palm oil have such a bad reputation?

Undoubtedly, palm oil is the most used vegetable fat, but it’s also become the most hated ingredient among environmental groups, human rights organisations and conscious consumers.

Environmental issues

To fulfil the strong demand for palm oil from manufacturers, consumers and other growing markets, rainforests are burnt down, and the land is cleared to just grow oil palm trees on an industrial scale.

According to World Data, oil palm plantation was the main driver of deforestation between 2001 to 2016 in Indonesia, accounting for nearly one-fourth of forest loss in the country during the period of those years. As for another major exporter Malaysia, oil palm trees were responsible for 42% of rainforest loss between 1973 and 2015.

drone shot of a destroyed woodland — Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

Although deforestation caused by palm oil plantations in the past decade is slowing, those tremendous damages, such as the loss of animal natural reservoirs and biodiversity, species extinction, and habitat destruction (for both animals and humans), can’t be recovered. Moreover, deforestation not only adds carbon dioxide to the air but also contributes directly to global warming and climate change.

Human and Workers’ rights

Although the oil palm tree is a high-yield crop, it’s naturally labour-intensive. The process requires a large workforce, from cultivating, growing the trees, and spraying pesticides to harvesting, collecting loose palm fruits, and transporting FFBs to palm oil plants.

Over the past several decades, innovation and automation have speeded up the process in palm oil factories and refinery plants, the later stage of oil palm production, but not so much happens in the palm field where little mechanisation has been done.

Working on the palm field isn’t pleasant either. Palm plantation jobs are known as ‘3D’ work – dirty, difficult and dangerous. So, it’s hard to hire locals or skilled people working in the field. Therefore, the labour shortage is always an issue for the industry, leading them to turn to migrants. For example, 84% of the palm oil workforce in Malaysia is made up of migrants, but the palm oil company was accused of treating their migrant workers unfairly.

It is reported that some migrants got into the country through human trafficking, and the exploitation of workers, whether they’re local or from less developed countries, is commonplace. For example, they’re paid much less, usually assigned to dangerous tasks, endure long work hours and have no written contracts and rights to organise a trade union. What’s more? It’s estimated by Unicef in Indonesia the palm oil industry has made negative impacts on as many as 5 million children as dependents of workers.

Lastly, let’s not forget palm oil plantations took forests away from indigenous people who lost their ancestral land because of deforestation. The lush jungle was home to those people for generations, and when the jungle was burnt down, they lost everything – their village, their natural resources and the hope they have for their future generations.

Ethical consumerism

Shopping ethically means consumers know that what they buy, either a product or service, isn’t built at the expense of others’ suffering and social and environmental damage. It’s evident that palm oil isn’t meeting ethical consumers’ criteria.

What’s the alternative?

Sustainable palm oil

Just like the Fairtrade badge for coffee and tea products, the RSPO logo on the product’s packaging tells consumers that the product uses certified sustainable palm oil. So, we should buy products that come with the RSPO logo or are labelled ‘sustainable palm oil’.

RSPO stands for Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and consists of representatives from all areas of the palm oil industry. It was established in 2004 to promote the sustainable production of palm oil worldwide. For oil palm growers to be certified by RSPO, they need to meet the eight principles, aka the stringent standards for sustainable palm oil production. For example:

commitment to transparency
the use of appropriate best practices by growers and millers
responsible development of new plantations

Unfortunately, RSPO isn’t the ultimate solution when it comes to consuming palm oil ethically because it has received numerous criticisms in recent years, including:

It’s hard for smallholders to get certified because of the skills and cost required to meet RSPO’s criteria.
RSPO’s auditing process isn’t as transparent as it claims.
Palm oil workers feel let down by RSPO as their working conditions aren’t improved even though their company is certified.
A certified RSPO product is usually more expensive than an uncertified one.

So, based on all the related news articles I’ve read and podcasts I listened to about RSPO, at the moment, I don’t think I would trust RSPO as much as I have been trusting Fairtrade from a consumer’s point of view. I reckon a not-for-profit organisation like RSPO is good practice for the industry and consumers, but I think there is a LONG way to go for such an organisation to truly live up to what they claim and fulfil their vision and mission.

Palm oil free

After learning about the environmental damage and suffering workers’ rights caused by the palm oil industry, I feel quite guilty about buying products containing palm oil. So, I started paying attention to ‘palm oil free’ products and buying them more, even though sometimes they could be more expensive than their counterparts.

I’m not trying to boycott those products with palm oil as I still buy them, and I buy sustainable ones whenever possible. But I think if we could consume more palm-oil-free products, this might encourage the products’ manufacturers to come up with more products like that. I would have 100% supported RSPO if there weren’t so much criticism about them. But before they improve their practices, I would also try to support products free from palm oil.

Final thoughts

Buying foods/goods with palm oil isn’t the end of the world as long as we purchase them in moderation. As mentioned, palm oil is mainly used in packaged products. So from an environmental point of view, buying less of them means we have produced fewer single-use plastics or plastics to recycle. If we can’t avoid palm oil, at least go for the products bearing with the RSPO logo or stating ‘sustainable palm oil’ in their labelling.

As consumers, we have so much power to change the world just by being careful in what we buy.
Emma Watson, English actress and activist

Health-wise, palm oil isn’t as healthy as you’d like to think, even though it is vegetable oil. A recent study shows that compared to other types of vegetable oils, such as olive oil, palm oil is more prone to increase cholesterol levels and risks of heart disease if people have too much of it in their diet.

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