What is Greenwashing and Why Should We Care?!

What is up with Greenwashing?

Greenwashing is a phenomenon whereby large corporations provide misleading PR and marketing to make them appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are.

Think of a nuclear power company who advertises for clean energy because they utilize solar. Perhaps a major international airline shows their plane flying over a pristine landscape claiming to use less fuel than competitors. Or perhaps the greenwash or "green sheen" is a flat out lie. Like a major oil producer claiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when, in face, they are actually increasing.

Here is the problem. There is currently, as of 2019, no real legal implications to these claims. There is no inherent laws stating that this PR scam is illegal.

This means that companies can continue to falsely appear environmentally friendly, green, eco-conscious, eco-friendly, and all the other green, tree-hugging claims without any of them needing to be true!

Please consider terms such as "natural" are completely misleading and have no real definition according to the FDA. This would mean that poisonous, harmful compounds -such as formaldehyde, arsenic, uranium, mercury, and tobacco- can all be labeled as "natural" ingredients.

An excellent source for whistle-blowing and industry-leader in examples for best practices for how to provide a sustainable, green environment, is the Organic Consumers Association. This organization is a public organization with a mission to to "protect consumers' right to safe, healthful food and other consumer products, a just food and farming system and an environment rich in biodiversity and free of pollutants" (Organic Consumer Association). 

Organizations such as Organic Consumer Association (OCA) and Environmental Working Group (EWG), advocate for our health and wellness while demanding change in regulations. It's wonderful to have these organizations working toward cleaner products.

I hope everyone sees the irony in a company "going green" with solar, all while still maintaining pollution via other means of electrical generation.

This is not a no harm, no foul issue!

This lack of regulation and willingness of these companies to release PR and marketing that misleads the public truly gets in the way of real reform.

Most of us are very aware that we need to continue to search for a more sustainable way to treat our environment. If we are increasing our awareness of the importance of eco-friendly, all while big companies are increasing their deception, we might be accidentally buying products that increase environmental burden!

This needs to end! I believe that many of the organizations (such as the EWG and OCA) are excellent resources and require our attention and perhaps our generosity!

How have I attempted to avoid Greenwashing?

• Beware of product labeling
• Check the ingredients list
• Educate yourself on what to look for in products you purchase by using sites the the EWG
• Do not be fooled by obvious paradoxical statements such as- "eco-friendly SUV" or "environmentally-friendly plastic water bottle". ​
• Start making your own products.

What do you mean by making your own products?

Well, this is the point where I tell you about essential oils. This appears to me to be the only way to avoid the dangers of label deception and poor product marketing. Purchasing single ingredients that have been third-party tested are really the best option we have currently. 

Do the best that you can. This is a continuous battle against companies with nothing but time on their hands to figure out how to best deceive us. Two of our pillar posts discuss concepts for a healthier home and ways to eliminate toxins from your household. These are must-reads for anybody looking to get started improving their lifestyle all while truly having the environment in mind.

I believe in a company like Young Living essential oils when purchasing my products because I have been to their farms, been to their headquarters, been personally shown on a map where all the farms are located, stood in their distilleries, planted lavender and clary sage in their field, and because they seem to hold an extremely rigorous Seed to Seal standard for quality control. 

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As always, if you are new to essential oils and do not have any of your own, consider a premium starter kit from Young Living. This is widely regarded as the simplest way to get started with essential oils. When signing up for your first kit, you will have the opportunity to choose one of our leaders. This is an important step as they will provide you with ongoing support for the lifetime of your Young Living journey at no added cost to you! You can do this simply by visiting the our team page and selecting the individual you would like as your direct upline.

Further, by signing up as a member you will also receive tons of additional promotions such as saving 24% off retail pricing on future purchases of Young Living products.

Why Young Living?
Why do I only trust Young Living essential oils? The reason why is Young Living's Seed to Seal promise. The Seed to Seal promise assures you that Young Living owns every part of the essential oil manufacturing process from seed, to plant, to distillation, to bottling. My husband and I have personally visited their farms in Mona, Utah several times and you will see pictures of us all over the site that were taking at various Young Living facilities. There is no other company that provides this much transparency about their process! Trust me, we have called and messaged other leading manufacturers of essential oils to ask where their farms are located so that we can take a visit and guess what... THE OTHER COMPANIES EITHER DID NOT ALLOW US TO VI​SIT OR DID NOT KNOW WHERE THEIR OWN FARMS WERE LOCATED! This is very important as most essential oils on the market are fragrance grade whereas Young Living essential oils are therapeutic grade. This is an important distinction, do not take it lightly!

Please feel free to comment and let us know how you are Young Living Essential Oils in your home to help our community.

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