Real or Faux Green? Eco-Marketing Deceptions
November 12, 2009
Eco-friendly products have flooded the market – which is great to see! Unfortunately, you have to be aware of possible impostors – some supposedly green products have a more damaging carbon footprint than a simpler, non-green branded product. How can you tell if a product is really green or if it’s just marketing?
This Sincerely Sustainable blog post shows the ANDREA air filter as a green imposter. While the intentions of ANDREA are good – transforming plants into air cleaners – there’s a huge carbon footprint from creating this gadget (between sourcing, transportation and creating the manufacture and sale).
A better alternative than ANDREA? Mother nature’s “houseplant” – A novel concept, and it costs about $197 less than the $200 price tag.
Other ‘green’ marketing scams & questionable companies include:
- Clorox “Green Works” products: contain corn-based ethanol (not cost-effective or eco-friendly) and sodium lauryl sulfate
- Gas-saving magnets: Save the $29.95 from this product that doesn’t work. They won’t ionize gasoline as advertised
- Sephora’s “Natural Standards”: This makeup by Sephora wasn’t regulated and contain high levels of harmful chemicals & cancer-causing agents
- “Green” hand sanitizers: Many of these hand sanitizers contain alcohol, a threat to safety and health in products.
- Even Toyota has been challenged as not having much better fuel economy & protesting fuel standards in California.
Some people will try to attack any green theme as a scam – just like this article. So should you forgo eco-efforts & purchases in threat of scam? Definitely not. There’s tons of great earth-friendly options out there – you just need to be aware.
Let’s face it, everything has a carbon footprint – you ust need to figure out the products with the smallest.
We want to hear from you – What products have you found questionable?
Posted by Julie
Related posts:
- Dirty? 5 Simple Ways to Clean Green
- Green Perspective: Green Gifts Made Simple
- Beauty Goes Green
- Christmas Trees: Be real or fake it?
- U2: Outrageous Carbon Footprint?
Filed under: Green Living, Let's Shop!
5 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Nic G | November 13, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I am over due for a new car and was thinking about getting a hybrid. Can you offer any advice on the pros and cons of owning this type of vehicle? Thanks!
2.
BETH | November 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Nic G-
Congrats on seeking information before making a hefty purchase! We may publish a write-up on this matter in the future, as there’s a lot to consider. Here’s a few of the pros and cons.
Some pros:
- Reduction of green house gases!
-Maximum fuel efficiency
- In cities (especially where polllution tends to be a bigger problem) hybrid cars can make even more of a difference because they produce less emissions during low speed city driving and traffic jams.
-Peace and quiet! I’ve rented hybrids on vacations and am always pleased by how quietly they run.
A few cons:
- Though hybrids are the most gasoline efficient of all cars, they have a higher price tag than conventional cars and experts say it can take 5-8 years to recoup the difference
-Another conisderation is if involved in an accident the hybrid’s electric motor can make it difficult for you to get out of the vehicle because of the risk of electrocution.
Good luck!
Beth
3.
Nic G | November 16, 2009 at 8:33 am
Thanks Beth, this information is very helpful and I look forward to reading a full post on this in the future.
4.
Adam Moore | May 19, 2010 at 8:48 pm
i already upgraded my family car to Hybrid to help the environment.-~.
5.
Sam Wilkinson | July 23, 2010 at 4:47 am
hybrid cars are energy efficient compared to diesel or gas powered cars.’,’
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