In a bid to improve transparency about the environmental impact of our food and drink industry, the plant-based milk company Oatly has asked dairy companies in the UK to reveal their carbon footprint on prepaid advertising space. Searching for ways to reduce the severity of our impact on the environment has become a defining feature of our generation’s time. We know that even the smallest changes to our daily habits can...
Tlou Energy is the first Australian firm to be fined for lying about its environmental credentials. A corporate watchdog says claims that its sub-Saharan African gas and electric power projects are carbon neutral and low emissions are ‘factually incorrect’. If the latest legal ongoings in Australia are anything to go by, it could be getting difficult for energy companies to hide behind greenwashing tactics. The front page of Aussie-based Tlou Energy’s...
Greenwashing is a common practice across various industries, but what about when it comes to ‘planet-friendly’ cleaning products? Two universities in the US teamed up to investigate. In the age of heightened awareness over bacteria and viruses, many of us are using cleaning products more frequently to ensure our homes don’t become a life-size petri dish for dangerous microorganisms. I probably don’t need to remind you of when household cleaning sections...
We’ve a long way to go before the fashion industry can be deemed sustainable. Is the option to resell our fast fashion items back to retailers a step in the right direction or a novel way for business as usual to continue behind the scenes? Buying second-hand clothing has never been easier or more common. Depop, Vinted, and more recently, eBay, have soared in popularity for providing users with a seamless,...
As consumers demand increased transparency from the fashion industry, high fashion brands are reimagining their iconic logos for sustainable collections. But are these logos simply pretty tokens designed to mask shady practices? Logomania isn’t dead, despite what fashion editorials and blogs want you to think. With the emergence of every new season comes claims that apparel printed with name brands are ‘out’, only to be later refuted by handfuls of...
The term ‘reef safe’ is not regulated, meaning any sunscreen brand can include the phrase on its product labels. What does ‘reef safe’ mean and are these claims greenwashing? If you’ve been keeping up with skincare trends, SPF for your face and body are likely near the top on your holiday packing list this summer. The last few years have seen sunscreen promoted as the most important product in our daily...
The Competition and Markets Authority is preparing to name and shame high street clothing companies selling ‘sustainable’ clothing at a premium price. We might think we’re doing the right thing by heading straight for the ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘sustainable’ section of popular clothing shops when looking to buy a new outfit. But with so many brands accused of greenwashing in recent years, how can we trust that retailers are actually sourcing ethical...
The dairy milk alternative brand Oatly has made overstated claims about its environmental impact through advertising. It’s hard to believe that oat milk could piss so many people off, but Swedish brand Oatly has found itself at the centre of much controversy over the years. The dairy milk alternative has already come under fire for contributing to deforestation in the Amazon, having a high sugar content while advertising itself as a...
The world’s largest fast-food chain has opened its first ‘net zero’ branch in Shropshire, England. But when a majority of the products contain meat, is this just another case of greenwashing? It’s no secret that McDonald’s isn’t the best thing to put into our bodies, but is there any possibility the golden arches could improve its impact on planet? In recent weeks, it has certainly attempted to do so. The UK’s...
Pride is different this year, with celebrations cancelled or postponed. Even so, there are plenty of ways to show support by donating to charities or shopping with brands who give back. Time is up for performance activism. As young consumers, we are far more aware of the philosophical values of the companies we choose to purchase from than previous generations. Brands must now align their values with ours, be vocal about...
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