A lot of manufacturers have already realised the importance of having a green credential. More and more customers have been asking how their products are manufactured – can they be more eco-friendly, what is their stand on environmental issues?
And whilst a lot have made the necessary changes. Others have resorted to greenwash.
I’ve seen a lot on the grocery shelves. With big words- ‘environmental’, ‘eco-friendly’, ‘WWF’. But look closely, and you see nothing more. They don’t say why they’re environmental. They don’t say what steps they’re taking. It’s like buying their product just magically transforms you.
Recently, the husband and I booked a trip to the continent. Travelling by the now ‘carbon neutral’ eurostar and staying in an eco-friendly hotel – this trip is promising to be not too bad for our carbon footprint.
I booked a train and hotel deal, so really, the hotel being an ‘eco’ one was a bonus that I did not quite expect. But I did wonder why the credential of being ‘eco’ was in the smaller prints.
So we got there. And looked through their brochures and did not find any explanation as to how they became eco-friendly. There was a sign in the bathroom saying we should reuse our towels and to hang them if we don’t want them replaced. Another sign by the door reminds guests to turn off the lights before leaving. But was this enough to say they were an eco friendly hotel? I mean, isn’t every other hotel doing this already? Because it makes sense – as a hotel, not only do you save precious resources, you save money as well. All for printing and displaying a few signs.
But still, being greenwashed once too many times is just making me feel a bit stupid.
