The Myth Behind the Green
Green Consumerism and the Impact of Eco-Friendly Buying
Critics of the Green Movement address concerns over the trendiness and false claims of product manufacturers.
In today’s consumer industry, green is the new black.
Environmentalism and Earth-friendly living has suddenly taken a turn toward the trendy as more and more corporations roll out their lines of supposedly eco-conscious products. From organic jeans and cutlery to hybrid cars and sustainable bamboo flooring, green consumerism has emerged as the hottest way to save the planet. Embraced by celebrities and CEO’s who grace the cover of magazines and red carpets touting the green chic, the new movement has critics questioning just how good is going green.
The problem, they say, lies in the fact that buying these products promotes a false sense of security. Instead of purchasing more items, we should be using less.
“Green consumerism is an oxymoronic phrase,” said long time environmentalist activist, Paul Hawken in an article for the New York Times. “We tend not to look at the ‘less’ part. So you get these anomalies like 10,000-foot ‘green’ homes being built by a hedge fund manager in Aspen.”
Other environmentalists compare green consumerism to fat-free fad diets, where one over-indulges in a treat that’s low on fat, without regard for the calories. In other words, instead of loading up new products that claim to be better for the environment, buying less of your normal products can be just as effective.
Another problem consumers should be aware of with so-called green products is an advertising gimmick known as ‘greenwashing’. Greenwashing happens when companies make false claims about their product’s environmental friendliness. Often a company will stretch the truth about where their product came from or how it was manufactured. To avoid being reeled in by greenwashers, consider these tips:
1) True Green Products Will Be Certified. Check these certifiers’ websites to make sure the product's name is listed. If it’s not, chances are it’s a fake.
-Energy Star
-Forest Stewardship Council
-Greenguard Indoor Air Quality
-LEED
-Scientific Certification Systems
-Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certification
2) Buy From A Trusted Source. Be smart about who and where products are purchased from. If the business seems shady or too good to be true, then beware. It probably is.
3) Think It Through. Ask important questions before purchasing. Eric Corey Freed, author of Green Building for Dummies puts forth these suggestions:
- Where did this material come from?
- What are the byproducts of the manufacturer?
- How is the material maintained and operated?
- What do we do with it once we’re done with it?
- Is the material healthy?
4) Decide What’s Most Important. Sometimes one might have to decide between two negative choices. Try to take the lesser of the evils and make a list of priorities when it comes to buying green. On the list could be qualities like biodegradable, local, durable, and non-toxic.
Green consumers should keep in mind that buying these products is only the first step. The key is to limit the use and waste of any product, no matter what is printed on the label.
