Greenwashing in fashion can take many different forms. Such as using vague terms like “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” without providing specific details or certifications to back up those claims.
Some shops/marketplaces will advertise products/brands as sustainable without any clear indication why. For example a brand who uses recyclable boxes could be advertised as “eco friendly” even though the manufacturing of the product itself goes totally against any eco friendly practices. Likewise a high street brand describing their garments as sustainable due to the use of recycled fabrics, may brush over the ethics behind the people making their clothes.
Greenwashing therefore refers to the practice of making false or exaggerated claims about the sustainability or eco-friendliness of a brand or product. It’s done purely to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
The practice of greenwashing doesn’t just harm the consumers trying to make informed choices. Greenwashing makes it more difficult for genuinely sustainable brands to stand out and gain recognition for their efforts.