Greenwashing (Biodegradable vs. Compostable)

We talked in class about all sorts of different green washing terms that are misleading consumers to believe that they are supporting the environment, but are actually just greenwashed to look like they are. we
Biodegradable products are products that eventually break down. It may take a long time but everything is essentially biodegradable. This is a term that is used when companies choose to "greenwash" their products to make them look more sustainable.

For example, this bag tells consumers that it is 100% biodegradable, but this term doesn't actually mean that this bag will degrade quicker than lets say a normal plastic bag. The look of the bag is greenwashed to look like it is better for the environment, but it could actually be just as bad as a normal plastic bag. It has a pretty picture of the environment and environmental friendly language, but this product is greenwashed to deceive the people that use it.

In contrast a compostable bag will compost in a certain timeframe.

 

For more information:

http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2014/03/17/biodegradable-vs-compostable-dont-greenwashed/