October 7, 2010 - Government Stepping in Against Greenwashing

Terms like 'biodegradable', 'eco-friendly', and 'compostable' are rampant buzz-words in both the media and on the products we buy - but what exactly do they mean and who's to say what is 'eco-friendly'? Does a bag marked with 'biodegradable' break down in 3 months or 3 years?

his is the rampant problem of "greenwashing": marketers using misleading labels to make customers think their products are "eco-friendly," or whatever, when they're not.

This week, the Federal Trade Commission did us all a favor. It announced it's working on a new set of guidelines that will ensure the labels on the stuff we buy follow common sense. Among the proposed changes: Marketers shouldn't use labels like "green" or "eco-friendly" because they're too vague; if something's labeled as "biodegradable," then the entire package should "completely break down and return to nature" within a year; and if something's called "non-toxic" it should be non-toxic for humans and for the environment generally. Shopping responsibly should be a lot less confusing.

Right now the proposed new guidelines are in draft mode. They're available for download in this very readable PDF and open for public comment.