Authors: Grace Yu; Sources: Earth.org, Copy That Co, Unsplash

Greenwashing

INTRODUCTION

Greenwashing is a technique used by companies to mislead consumers into believing their supposedly eco-friendly practices/product features, rather than focusing on implementation.

“Greenwashing capitalises on consumers’ environmentally conscious buying habits by tricking them into purchasing ‘eco-friendly’ items with no real environmental benefits.” — Earth.org

 

ACTIVITY

Greenwashing Seals Sorting Game

Materials: Paper seals cutouts (reference below)// Duration: 5 minutes

  • Cut out each seal individually (given below)

  • Tell students to sort each seal into one of two categories: “Misleading Seals/Possible Greenwashing” or “Trustworthy Certifications”

  • Check answers at the end

LESSON

We should all be mindful of possible false advertising, especially when it comes to companies’ exaggerating the eco-friendliness of their product(s) as a marketing tactic. It is important to do research/fact-check on any claims that you may have doubts about.

 
Previous

Carrying Capacity
Next

Plastic Pollution