8 Misleading Green Products

Adopting environmentally friendly habits is a goal for many people today. However, some products may not be as eco-conscious as their attractive packaging and marketing campaigns imply. Here are eight products to scrutinize—be cautious of their claims and the messages they convey.

1. Seventh Generation Lemon Dishwashing Gel

It’s surprising to discover that Seventh Generation, a brand known for its natural and eco-friendly stance, produces a lemon-scented Dishwashing Gel that unfortunately received an F from the EWG’s product safety scale. Despite their mission “To inspire a consumer revolution that nurtures the health of the next seven generations,” the gel contains sodium borate and methylisothiazolinone, both questionable ingredients. When they claim non-toxicity, it appears they mean “not acutely toxic,” which can be misleading.

2. Aveeno

Aveeno promotes itself with the tagline “Active Naturals,” but a closer look reveals that some of its products contain several synthetic components. A class action lawsuit highlighted the use of artificial ingredients such as glycerine, cetyl alcohol, and sodium hydroxide, along with petrochemical derivatives like petrolatum and mineral oils. Alarmingly, Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash contains 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen. While these ingredients are commonplace in beauty products, Aveeno’s push into the green market raises concerns about authenticity.

3. Tarte Cosmetics

The Tarte CEO promotes the brand as “a leader in healthy, eco-chic beauty,” emphasizing its cruelty-free nature and infusions of beneficial ingredients. However, independent findings reveal the presence of crushed beetles (carmine), formaldehyde releasers, parabens, and an EWG toxicity rating of 7/10 for their Amazonian Clay Illuminating Moisturizer. It’s worth researching what you are buying before paying a premium for items branded as environmentally friendly.

4. Huggies Pure & Natural

Finding eco-conscious, natural options for our children is a priority for many parents. When presented with Huggies Pure & Natural, featuring organic cotton claims and green packaging, it’s easy to assume you are making a healthy choice. However, investigations from the University of Cincinnati revealed that the organic cotton is only on the exterior. The materials in direct contact with the baby include standard diaper materials such as wood cellulose fiber and plastic. A recent federal class-action lawsuit against Huggies alleges the use of harmful synthetic chemicals. Additionally, the product is not biodegradable, and the packaging has only 20% recycled content.

5. Coca-Cola Life

The green branding of Coca-Cola Life might catch your eye, but mere color does not ensure its eco-friendliness. While it claims to contain 35% less sugar compared to regular Coke, it compensates with the artificial sweetener stevia. Each 600ml bottle still packs in 10 teaspoons of sugar. Essentially, it’s just a sugary beverage dressed up in green, with clever marketing to mislead consumers into believing they are making a healthier choice.

6. American Plastic Lumber

American Plastic Lumber markets itself as an eco-friendly alternative with a strong commitment to sustainability, boasting decades of providing recycled plastic lumber. However, the FTC has challenged their claims of recycling. Many of their items contain less than 79% post-consumer content, with some products having as little as 15% recycled materials. Though the company has altered its language since those allegations, their logo still conveys the same green message.

7. Lush Cosmetics

The beauty industry is rife with greenwashing, and Lush Cosmetics is no exception. While they may market themselves with eco-friendly slogans, many of their products include harmful ingredients. Writer Nicole Dunst points out that some substances they use have been flagged by reputable organizations such as the Environmental Working Group and the American Cancer Society, including sodium lauryl sulfate and cocamide DEA, both of which have concerning toxicity ratings.

8. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner

This product has found its way into the EWG’s Hall of Shame. Simple Green markets itself as “non-toxic” and “biodegradable,” yet contains 2-butoxyethanol, a solvent known to penetrate the skin and cause damage to red blood cells and irritation to the eyes. They also include a blend of alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, some of which are prohibited in the European Union. Additionally, despite the requirement for dilution, it comes in a spray bottle!

Have you encountered any eco-branded products that didn’t live up to their green claims? Share your experiences and help others identify what to avoid.