"Fashion should change. Less than 1% of clothing manufactured is recycled to a new one. The fashion industry produces 13 kilograms of waste in terms of a person per year, "the Community Objective community writes attention to the problems of ecology and their connection with the business. Although you are striving to shop more rationally, for example, without using plastic bags and choosing only what you really need, still large companies are still at the stage of making the need to change the habits, and not the stage of implementing this intention. There are some who enjoy the advantages of the ecology movement, in fact, not corresponding to them, but only hiding behind the dying signs of quality and changing the composition of products. In this material we will tell how to check your favorite manufacturers and do not get caught on the trick.
Greenwashing - what is it
Greenwashing is the term first introduced in the 1980s to designate companies applying for environmental protection in a desire to get popularity. Often, brands say that they support the struggle for the preservation of nature - this may be true, but only partially. For example, they begin to produce part of things from organic or recycled cotton, but after they deliver them on airplanes around the world and do not compensate for the cost of combating carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Why is that bad? Companies publish in social networks video, as three or four trees are planted, transfer money to the Wild Animal Protection Fund, but do not change the essence of their business. Buyers "are underway" to this and with joy are divided by the manufacturer's initiatives in social networks, despite the root of the problem. The brand increases its popularity and strives for a monopoly, while small manufacturers selling to the local market and remain unknown.
The design of the store will tell you a lot about the company
Photo: unsplash.com.
How to understand whether the brand is really eco
First of all, you need to start with the items - pay attention to the design of the store. If you offer to buy water in plastic bottles instead of pouring it into a glass, give disposable slippers instead of processing fittingry antibacterial sprays, pack purchases in plastic bags and so on, this company is unlikely to adhere to the principles of movement for the struggle for the preservation of ecology. It is also important that the brand introduces a system for the processing of its clothing and shoes - took them in stores and told what exactly happening with waste during recycling. Of the additional measures - the refusal of plastic labels instead of paper or cotton, sale of clothing articles, the funds with which go to various funds, the publication of cognitive posts on ecology in social networks and so on.
View certificates
In Russia, there is still a problem with certification - we have a long process that is not related to product testing on consumers or in recreating the situation of laboratory conditions for approval of its quality. In Europe and the United States has long developed a product certification scheme approved by regulations. FAIRTRADE, SOIL ASSOCIATION, GOTS (Global Standard of Organic Textile) - These icons on clothes are considered reference. Yes, as before, some European countries produce tons of plastic and engage in Greenvoching, but during this decade all members of the EU will switch to the refusal of plastic and the obligatory processing of waste. Nevertheless, European quality certificates will help you make sure that the product is really environmentally friendly.
When buying clothes, learn its quality certificates
Photo: unsplash.com.
Do not take gifts
Greenwashing is sometimes very cunning. For example, some shopping for a certain amount or number of articles give gifts - it can be socks, shopping bag, a couple of earrings and so on. The problem is that such actions of the company stimulate excessive consumption, which is contrary to the principles of the environment. You did not choose these goods, which means they are not needed - refuse gifts and do not get into marketing tricks. The same applies to PR mailing, which will be packed in tons of plastic: according to their content you can understand whether the company really takes care of the environment or only pretends.
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