Due to climate change, an increasing number of people are making efforts to lessen their impact on the planet. It’s not surprising that in the last few years, we’ve seen a rise in reusable cups and straws and a move away from single-use plastics. Statistics revealed that 66 percent of people would spend more on a product if it were eco-friendly. Unfortunately, corporations have taken advantage of this shift in the market.
Greenwashing means products are marketed as environmentally friendly when in fact they are not. It’s simply a marketing tactic that misleads consumers into spending more money. It’s also used when a corporation releases an eco-friendly version of a product that, in reality, is not actually eco-friendly. An example of this would be H&M. It uses green-colored tags for its more expensive “Conscious” collection. However, the claims that less water was used in the production of the clothes were found to be false. A lawsuit and investigation have been issued against H&M and this collection for use of deceptive and unethical business practices.
Another example of greenwashing is companies making claims without showing any kind of action. In 2018, it was reported that Nestle aims to have all its packaging be 100 percent recyclable or reusable by 2025. The same year it announced this intention, however, Nestle was named one of the top plastic polluters in the world. The company was criticized harshly for launching marketing campaigns instead of altering any of their packaging.
Photo courtesy of Freepik / 照片：Freepik提供
The best way to avoid falling victim to greenwashing is to buy from smaller, local companies and search for stores that offer zero-waste options. Be wary of green-colored packaging and buzzwords like “all-natural,” “organic,” and even “biodegradable.” Now, more than ever, consumers need to research and be cautious of what companies they’re supporting when purchasing a product. We must all work together toward a genuinely green future.
由於氣候變遷，越來越多的人正努力減輕他們對這個星球的影響。不足為奇的是，在過去幾年裡，我們注意到可重複使用的杯子和吸管增加，並且遠離一次性使用的塑膠製品。統計數據顯示如果商品是環保的，66% 的人願意花費更多在它身上。不幸的是，企業已經利用了市場的這種轉變。
漂綠意味著產品被行銷為環保的，但實際上並非如此。這只是一種誤導消費者花更多錢的行銷策略。這也被用於當一間公司發布一項產品的環保版本，但實際上卻不環保。H&M 就是一個例子。它在其較昂貴的「Conscious」系列中使用綠色標籤。然而，關於衣服生產過程中用水較少的說法被發現是錯誤的。針對 H&M 和該系列使用騙人和不道德商業行為的訴訟和調查已發起。
漂綠的另一個例子是公司在沒有採取任何行動的情況下提出聲明。西元 2018 年時，據報導，雀巢的目標是到西元 2025 年實現所有包裝 100% 可回收或可重複使用。然而，在宣布該意圖的同一年，雀巢被評為全球最大的塑膠污染者之一。該公司受到嚴厲批評，因其發起行銷活動，卻沒有改變它們的任何包裝。
避免成為漂綠受害者的最佳方法是於較小的在地公司購物，並尋找提供零廢棄選項的商店。對綠色包裝和「純天然」、「有機」甚至「可生物分解」等流行語保持警覺。現在，消費者比以往任何時候都更需要研究並謹慎選擇在購買產品時他們所支持的公司。我們必須齊心協力，打造真正綠色的未來。
MORE INFORMATION
greenwashing n. 漂綠
reusable n. 可重複使用的
deceptive adj. 騙人的
packaging n. 包裝（材料）
buzzword n. 流行用語
biodegradable adj. 可生物分解的
KEY VOCABULARY
1. tactic n. 策略；手法
At the management class, we learned some tactics for dealing with difficult employees.
在管理學課堂中，我們學到一些對付問題員工的策略。
2. lessen v. 減輕；降低
Getting help from others can really lessen the difficulty of learning new things.
從別人那裡獲得幫助可以真正降低學習新事物的難度。
3. consumer n. 消費者；顧客
Our company is coming up with ideas for new ways to get consumers to buy our products.
我們公司正在發想新方法讓消費者購買我們的產品。
4. version n. 版本；形式
The next version of the iPhone will come out in a few months, so I need to start saving up for it.
iPhone 的下個版本將在幾個月後上市，所以為了買它我需要開始存錢。
5. investigation n. 調查；研究
A thorough investigation into the fire showed that the building’s owner had started it in order to collect the insurance.
針對那場火災的詳細調查顯示，那棟建築的屋主為了獲取保險金而自行縱火。
6. issue v. 發布；發表
The presidential candidate issued a statement saying that he wished to pull out of the election.
那位總統候選人發表聲明，表示他想退選。
7. harshly adv. 嚴厲地
The criminal was punished harshly by the court for killing the woman.
那名罪犯因殺害婦女而受到法庭嚴厲審判。
8. campaign n. 活動；運動
The local residents started a campaign to stop the new shopping mall from being built.
當地居民發起活動，阻止新購物中心的興建。
9. genuinely adv. 真正地；確實
Hank was not faking his tears; he was genuinely upset by the cruel
comments you made about him.
漢克並非假裝流淚；你對他的殘酷評論讓他真心感到難過。
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