When making a purchase, we may strive to make the best choice for ourselves, our families, and the environment. Unfortunately, some companies can take advantage of our desire for environmentally-friendly products by using labels or marketing to make their products appear more sustainable than they actually are, a process also known as greenwashing.

For example, be aware of the common greenwashing buzzwords such as:

• Natural
• Environmentally-friendly
• Green
• Sustainable
• Biodegradable

While these terms all sound great, they are unregulated and do not require any certification to use. Instead of relying on these buzzwords, ask yourself questions such as: 

• What claims are being made ⁠— and is the company able to back it up?
• How does this product compare in sustainability to products made by other companies?
• What materials and packaging does this product contain, and is it able to be easily recycled or composted after its use?

In addition, look for actual certifications contained on the labeling of a product. Because products must undergo a verification process to be able to use these certification labels, they carry more weight than words. To learn more about different types of certifications to look for, check out this handy guide.

You deserve a product as green as you!