Here at Binit we are hands on with our bins. This means from the moment of collection we know exactly where your waste will end up – whether that’s recycled back into the market or even used as manure for our cow farmers at Langage farms. Whichever way the waste is taken, we try our best for it to be disposed of locally and as sustainably as possible. We even visit these sites to ensure our promise. However, with the ominously nearing NetZero deadlines and emissions targets approaching, the media has flourished with the “be green” approach. Why can this actually be backtracking on our climate progress? Because not all of these claims by brands turning green promote climate sustainability at all but are rather just a marketing strategy to drive sales.
how can you help?
Firstly, spotting a company who is “Greenwashing” is a great way to start. When evaluating whether you want to buy a product from a company, think about a few things first.
- Is there evidence?
It is very easy for companies and brands to make extravagant claims on how and why they are sustainable but a lot of the time don’t have the evidence to back it up. Watching out for related certifications, awards or prizes is an easy way to spot if a company is making environmental choices.
- Is it vague?
If the words used to describe a product are vague, such as “eco-friendly” or “non-toxic”, be aware that the company may be using these generalised terms to reel you in and the terms may not imply the entirety of the product.
- How is it packaged?
Lastly, the packaging can be an easy eye-spotter to whether a company is environmentally conscious. Has the packaging been designed so it can be recycled and if so is it clear? If not, the company may not be taking those extra steps to think about their waste impact post purchase.
what can you do now?
The best way to help now is simply avoiding these companies once you have spotted them. Even more so, you can report them to the Advertising Standards Authority which can help lead to the false advertisement being taken down. And, as always, consume less.
