WHAT IS GREENWASHING and how to spot greenwashing for yourself (how to avoid greenwashing)

Let's take a deep dive and talk about what is greenwashing, how to spot greenwashing for myself, and how to avoid greenwashing as a new zero waster. I give you all the zero waste shopping tips to avoid falling victim to greenwashing marketing schemes.
We discuss greenwashing keywords, greenwashing telltale signs, and how to tell if something is greenwashing or truly eco-friendly.
ACCESSIBILITY! Find the script and read along here: www.thesimplee...
Videos mentioned:
Things that you cannot recycle: • 100 things that you CA...
What happens to our plastic waste: • WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR PL...
Where does our waste go series: • WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR PL...
Sources Used:
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www.investoped...
www.greenmatte...
www.sustainabl...
www.businessne...
Music is from Epidemic Sound. Use this link to subscribe and get copyright-free music: www.epidemicso...
For more of our travels and sustainable living check out:
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Thanks so much for watching :)

[@lynndollarhide6887]

If one only has access to Tide or other mainstream detergents then purchase the powdered version in the largest box possible. One plastic scoop for 120 loads is better than 2 bottles for the same amount of loads.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Ooooh good point! The powdered version obviously doesn't use water which is fewer emissions, you make some great points, Lynn!! Thanks for sharing!

[@SteelRiderCarl]

I switched to dry for the same reason. I've been using the same box for over two years now and it's still got a ton of soap in it.

[@signsofabadger7212]

Love the understanding that not everyone is going to have the capacity to necessarily be 100% eco-friendly all the time (society and all that), but providing options and information for All people who can take what they can 😊

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

for sure! knowledge is power!

[@Alesanascreamokid]

My mom finally understands why it's important to take responsibilty for the envoirement, but she keeps getting trapped by the whole greenwashing thing, thinking she's doing the right thing and buying random products whenever it says BIO or ECO haha......

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

It's so hard to spot especially as someone new to this lifestyle and it's so sad that companies take advantage of that for a quick buck....

[@spookey_pookie]

I like how much this video breaks it down 💗💗 BRUH “oUr bOtTlE iS rEcYcLaBlE!” 😂😂😂 wowie

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you! That gets me everytime haha

[@KarinaVentures]

OMG the “our plastic bottle is recyclable” thing makes my blood BOIL!!! Also the “this plastic bottle is made with recycled materials!” (Fine print reads: 30% post consumer recycled content 🤦‍♀️) but I gotta say my favorite piece of greenwashing I’ve ever encountered was a plastic tortilla chip bag that said “recyclable with terracycle!!” Like yeah almost everything is that’s their thing 😂 Can’t wait for the vid on bioplastics!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

GOSH I wish terms were more regulated! I hate how companies can claim "made with recycled material" for only a percentagte! That makes me mad too! Like great, it's recyclable.....but that's still not good haha

[@lizardofthestars]

I also noticed that some companies are making kids clothing and merchandise that say things like ‘No Planet B’ or ‘Stewardess of the Earth!’ but these clothes are 100% polyester/plastic. This just seems ironic to me.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

very ironic indeed

[@xochilguevara3429]

This was good. When this whole “green” idea was just getting started, I remember saying “the only ‘green’ changes I’ve seen so far is green ink.”

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

For real! Unfortunately that is still a trend among some brands which is really sad. Hope this helps people steer away from that

[@BeccaDoesStuffYT]

You know what really ticks me off about that company Niagara? They have a water bottling company here in the Phoenix area! Probably because water is surprisingly cheap here (which makes no sense to me)….THEY ARE BOTTLING WATER IN THE DESERT!!! 🤬

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

FURIOUS! It's a precious resource esp in the desert!

[@myneoangel4299]

I swear, everything says “I’m recyclable!” on it these days... 97% of your recyclable packaging gets put directly in the trash; do better! 😤 Love to see you call out specific brands; it’s really helpful for those getting into sustainability 💜

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

RIGHT! Way to put the blame on consumers ugh. I should! Great idea :)

[@erintannehill]

One brand that I cannot stand for their greenwashing is Dawn. I don't understand why anyone would think they are a sustainable company. Yet, I see their dish detergent being included for natural recipes all of the time. WHY?! Also, when you were talking about looking for who the parent company is for these smaller/new brands, the first thing that came to mind was the makeup industry. There are so many seemingly good brands that are owned by horrible parent companies. Not all cases are necessarily to greenwash because I have seen sustainable brands merge with parent companies as a means of survival. So is it better to have the cleaner makeup option that is funded by a wasteful company or not have them at all, ya know? There's just so much to look out for and keep in mind when trying to find truly sustainable products.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

THIS! It makes me so sad that there are "good" companies out there but when you look they are owned by Coca Cola or Unilever. It really is sad. It's hard to say and I guess it comes down to personal judgement?

[@chrstopherblighton-sande2981]

I'm so glad I watched this video! As someone who always tries to avoid purchasing unethical and environmentally harmful products I switched to bioplastics as an alternative to normal plastics for things such as bin liners etc. I'm ashamed to say I never really investigated it well, but instead I felt comforted by the claims of biodegradability and eco-friendliness, that I had chosen the better option. Just a few minutes research following your video has made me realise the reality isn't so positive. And while that is undoubtedly demoralising, it's also good to have more information in order to make better choices. I look forward to your future bioplastics video. Thank you for making the videos you do. Your content is well made and really important. I hope this channel goes from strength to strength.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you for that! That means a lot to me! I actually have a video coming out later in November about the truth behind bioplastics that I am very excited before because like you and me, most consumers think bioplastics are the magic eco-material! If you learned something from my content I would really appreciate if you share it with others to support the message :)

[@ChewonThat]

Love this!!! We need a big change in our system if we really want to be "green"🌿Such an important video!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

YES!! We need regulations for terms like "green" and "biodegradable" and so forth!

[@ChewonThat]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist EXACTLY👏

[@littlegreeny8510]

The big thing you missed with Tide is that formula is biobased. I've seen P&G make progress with their other products too...They removed optical brighteners in Tide Free & Gentle liquid, Downy Free (and perhaps other formulas) are now biobased, and more and more of their products are made with renewable energy and in zero waste facilities. I feel like P&G is genuinely interested in becoming more sustainable.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

that is great but that does not make a company eco friendly ::)

[@sandibroad4099]

Wow! My brain is tired😵‍💫. That was very helpful and sad. And ways to help me be a wiser shopper. Thank you!🙌🤗

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

happy to help!

[@jennvelasco5612]

Wow thank you for doing this video I never new what white washing was you really help explaining this to me !! Your the best hugs

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

it's actually green washing but happy to help!

[@yuzu_yuju]

Do you have a list of actual local eco friendly businesses that I can reference for house products? :D I'm quite new to this movement as well and i'm guilty of being greenwashed and i want to make sure i don't fall for this trap again

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

i don't right now...but look for certifications like "1% for the planet" or "certified B corp" :)

[@julia1999rene]

Another point people dont think about or I have not heard said commonly: often when it says made of recycled materials it is not talking about post consumer (aka what you put in the bin) they just recycle 'virgin' materials. Unless it said post consumer it is most likely not on its second life

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

oh so true!!

[@shaunaburton7136]

I think we all wish that everything was being recycled, fossil fuels were being reduced, pollution was going away but they aren't. Companies thrive on our hopes. Real change takes work.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

definitely! it's so hard!

[@lynndollarhide6887]

I use those 3M sponges. Number 1: I use one a day and then toss into the laundry to keep clean and fresh. They last me a good six to eight months or more having about the four to five that I rotate though. Number 2: The sponge itself is plant-based cellulose and is compostable. I have been composting them for about a decade. Whilst the scrubby side does contain plastic it is usually worn off by the time I compost them. If not I pull it off and trash the compost the sponge portion. They compost faster than avocado skins and citrus peels. Number 3: They are available with just the plain sponge and not the scrubby side with the plastic. I am trying out some cellulose Nordic washing sponges (actually more like a dishcloth) and bar dish soap from No Tox Life. The thicker 3M sponges seem to work better (make more suds) with the bar dish soap than the Nordic ones or a plain dish cloth.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Good to know! Your point two concerns me though. While the plant side IS compostable, the plastic side is not and the bit about it "being worn down" is concerning. That means it is breaking down into microplastics and washing down your drain and ultimately ending up in our ocean and/or our drinking water. Obviously, if that is someone's only choice, then use it. But, if we have the option to use a natural dish scrubber, we should do so. Thanks for the information though, that was very insightful and I did not know that before!

[@lynndollarhide6887]

I see the non scrubby side ones online. I have been advocating for my local store to get those. Sometimes for a very wet mess sponges work better than a rag at soaking things up.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@lynndollarhide6887 definitely good to have something that actually scrubs, for sure! Microplastics are just a real concern to me is all :) if you haven't seen my microplastics video, here it is! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYvLgaCcbtCYjK8

[@lynndollarhide6887]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist I definitely agree. That is why I am looking for an acceptable substitute. That is why 95%of my clothing is cotton, wool, or linen. The only non-natural clothing I own is some outer/rainwear.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@lynndollarhide6887 that's great to hear! Of course, we can't all be perfect and I hope i didn't come off that way, sorry if it sounded that way!

[@blackbearelectronicswithco9541]

There are a few zero-waste stores that sell bulk laundry powder

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

woah!

[@KingyoKeiChan]

I recently moved and didn't have any dish soap or sponges and bought those brown sponges and some mrs. myers soap because it didn't really have a chance to order something more eco friendly and the the more eco friendly stores like whole foods or sprouts in my area aren't exactly close. Felt bad about doing that instead of getting a dish brush or something that I've seen online as a better option. Also, I work for Starbucks as a part time thing and it is definitely insane how much plastic and other things are wasted.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

gotta do what you gotta do! i can only imagine!

[@mandyneale4532]

Great video

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

thank you!

[@makeupartistrybymuskan]

I have seen brands which use plastic, but then take the empty products back for recycling♻️ So would that be counted in green washing? I think it's better than companies who don't care at all, like these are at least trying to do something than nothing..

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I think it depends. Makeup is one thing that is hard to find plastic free for example. If it's a smaller, seemingly greener company, it's likely not greenwashing. If it's a big company like Biore or something, it MIGHT be greenwashing but might not. The key to greenwashing is seeing if the company is trying to profit from green tactics. I agree, it is better, but the motive just needs to be in the right place :)

[@blackbearelectronicswithco9541]

My blood boils when I see plastic products claiming to be "recyclable"

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

SO ANNOYING

[@spookey_pookie]

Also, on the dresser you usually have in the back of your videos, is that a ginger plant? 💗

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Nope! I have an aloe and the tall one is a variety of bamboo!

[@pyro2838]

Being vegan is a good way to make sure you’re not supporting really messed up things!

[@matemahe]

But your meat alternatives are worse then me processing chickens and pigs i raised myself in my back yard.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yes yes yes!!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

perhaps...but i actually just made a video about plant meats vs animal meats and you'd be shocked...that's not all vegans eat, too. Eating whole foods (like fruits and veggies and grains) is WAY more sustainable than both animal meats and vegan meats!

[@pyro2838]

The solution is whole foods that are plant based and not processed stuff, also meat alternatives are kinda gross to eat. Beans are better in every way lol.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@pyro2838 yesssss for beans!

[@imethan-youtubetips6111]

Hmm very informative. Love the Simple Environmentalist channel name. I'm also a small creator 😅

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you! I'm going to talk more about why I chose this channel name in a future video :) Thanks for the support!

[@blackbearelectronicswithco9541]

So with chemical recycling, plastic can be recycled. However, the infrastructure isn't widespread and it makes way more sense to just make less plastic waste, than to chemically recycle it.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Plastic can be reyccled without chemicals

[@blackbearelectronicswithco9541]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist So chemical recycling a.k.a. pyrolysis recycling is where plastic is heated to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. This causes the plastic to break down into its original components such as oil. This can recycle virtually all types of plastics.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@blackbearelectronicswithco9541 intersting!

[@nancyvelasquez3520]

What sponges do you recommend for washing dishes?

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

If you want a sponge, Happy Husks makes theirs compostable from coconut shells. But, I just use old rags (tshirts) and wooden brushes with natural fibers from The Wild Minimalist :)

[@perpetualMess.]

I think Walmart has a take back program to have bags recycled. Don't quote me on that.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

i'll look into it!

[@leandracooper1534]

In some countries Coca-Cola is cleaner than the water which is very sad

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

oh wow crazy! is it affordable?

[@amandafisher9084]

I work for Starbucks and people still ask for straws so it seems kind of pointless

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Wow! I mean, I used to do that too as a teen before I knew better but I am always asking for no straws, even if they are paper ones!

[@arson3630]

Green washing makes my blood BOIL

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

O M G SAMEEE

[@KianaVision]

Lovely video! I believe you'd enjoy my content too. Keep up with your great work! 💜💞

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@johnclarke1319]

why not just speak at a proper speed and double your audience!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

BAHAHHAHAHA watch my recent videos, i've gotten better and if you can be nice just leave buddy