G R E E N WA S H I N G
- HOW COMPANIES UNETHICALLY
USE THE FASHION ON ECOLOGY Nowadays, organic products have taken over markets all around the world. Products with the prefix „eco” can be found in almost every store. However, each of us should think whether all of them really are eco-friendly. Using this prefix, large companies try to approach customers unethically, taking advantage of their willingness to change the environment and the ecological trend to make more profits. In reality it is nothing more than a PR based
anti-emissions devices. Automobile factories such
on pseudo-ecological activities, which aim to en-
as BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Chevrolet have
courage people to purchase. Due to the growing
faced similar allegations in recent years. Mercedes-
global environmental awareness, consumers de-
Benz has even seen a class action lawsuit in which
clare that they prefer to pay more for a prod-
plaintiffs challenged BlueTEC technologies that
uct if it contributes to saving the environment,
sell cars as „clean diesel” or „earth-friendly”, while
which is what large concerns exploit. According
in fact, they release nitrogen oxides that exceed the
to the „Green Generation Report” research on
norm by over 65 times more than allowed by the
what Polish people think about ecology, 56%
EPA. Concerns that convince about the eco-friend-
of them believe that it is a conscious choice and
liness of cars do nothing but persuade their cus-
a sense of responsibility, while the remaining 44%
tomers to make further purchases. There is no
believe that it is a fashion that will soon be forgot-
such thing as an ecological car, the only ecologi-
ten. Greenwashing is monitored by many global
cal mean of transport is a bicycle, but even dur-
organizations, such as Greenpeace, which have
ing its production, harmful substances are being
been trying to detect illegal marketing activities for
released.
years. The average consumer is rarely able to judge
A company that has been creating the wrong
which activities are non eco-friendly and which are
impression of commitment to the environment for
carried out in good faith, as the line between them
years is BP. In their marketing campaigns, they
is sometimes very thin. The best way to tell the dif-
focus on deceiving people that they are moving to-
ference is to ask yourself who is really green and
wards renewable energy, while more than 96% of
who is just looking for a way to make money.
planned investments are in gas and oil.
Among the companies accused of green-
In 2010, the company contributed to the
washing is Volkswagen, which has committed
largest oil spill in the history of the United States.
emissions scams. Volkswagen has admitted that
The disaster took place on April 20 in the Gulf of
it has equipped 11 million of its own diesels with
Mexico, resulting in the deaths of 11 rig workers, 30
