In the past five years, there's been an explosion of products marketed as "green" and good for the environment. But some of these green claims aren't accurate. Critics call the marketing practice "greenwashing" -- a way to attract customers by labeling products as eco-friendly when they may not be.
Greenwashing category No. 1: Hyping what has been taken out of a product.
One shaving cream product, for example, claims it has no CFCs -- chlorofluorocarbons. But CFCs were actually banned in 1978; if the product did contain CFCs, it would be illegal.
Greenwashing category No. 2: Not providing proof.
A brand of drinking glasses claims recycled content -- but fails to explain how much , or what the source is.
Greenwashing category No. 3: Environmental trade-offs.
One type of water bottle does use 30 percent less plastic than other bottles. But the product is still shipped back and forth across the country.
Greenwashing category No. 4: Self-made seals, from companies that put their own stamps on their packages instead of one awarded by a neutral third party.
A brand of cleaner has a green leaf seal. But all it means is that the symbol has been put there by the company.
Greenwashing category No. 5: Products that are not up to environmental standards.
One company advertised a refrigerator as Energy Star compliant, but then acknowledged it was not.