Greenwash Review: the Power Of Suggestions
In the search for eco-friendly products, it would be so nice if other people did some of the legwork for you. Buying products best requires a little forethought, but you’ll always have to trust somebody’s word, whether it’s the manufacturer’s hype or the recommendation of others.
Those insidious compulsive greenwashers out there know that the best way to convince you their product is terrific is to get somebody else to tell you it. It’s important to keep this in mind.
I’ve done a brief review of some green product sources:
MyGreenElectronics is a site that suggests products and brands that have met a number of green criteria. Search a product type on the left, and suggestions appear on the right, often with a definition of what particular feature is allegedly eco-friendly. The site is an offshoot of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which hosted last year’s International Consumer Electronics Show and were keen to advertise its green credentials
.
The Eco-Living Directory is an advertising site for green products and businesses. The emphasis here seems to be advertising ““ and capitalized phrases like "INCREASE YOUR INCOME" rather hammer it home. A business can sign up to this site, and be “automatically” placed into four directories. There’s nothing here about meeting independent green standards. So, where is the consumer’s protective firewall against the insincere greenwashers?
Some resources (like the CEA) have rather too much to lose to be exposed as part of the greenwash brigade, and work hard to publicize their eco-trustworthiness. With other sites, such as the Eco-Living Directory, the keyword is "suggestion" rather than "recommendation".
What are the independent reviewers you trust?
Image: Jeffy Can (ultimaslair)
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Green Consumers Impressed by Results, not Promises
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. The Greenwashers are scrambling. That’s the
Environmentalism 2.0: Goodbye Greenwashing?
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. As the eco-friendly movement matures
Greenopia: It's a Regional Thing
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. Being "over here" in the
The Superguide to Recycling Electronics
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. In an ideal world, all
|
Bookmark |
1 Comment
Who Linked To This Post?
Welcome! The comment box is all yours to say what you like. Just make sure you use a real name, not a site or company, so you don't get sent to the spam bin. (That makes us sad.)