What is Greenwashing?
The ACCC describes greenwashing as a situation where a business uses any claim or omits key information that makes a product or service seem better or less harmful to the environment than it really is.
How do I know if I’m being greenwashed?
When looking for sustainable products, it’s important to be wary of buzzwords like eco-friendly, natural or green without specific, verifiable information. If brands are making these types of claims, be sure to check that they’re backed by relevant certifications based on international standards, like AS 5810 – Home Compostable and AS 4736 - Commercial Compostable.
How do I know if a brand is greenwashing?
Greenwashing refers to environmental claims that are false or misleading. The ACCC considers a business engaging in greenwashing when it makes a claim that represents a product, service or the business itself as better for or less harmful to the environment than it actually is.
When it comes to packaging, the language and claims used to describe sustainable solutions often refer to the material used or how the product could be disposed of. However, sustainable packaging language can often be vague, misleading and often not substantiated with any fact or evidence-based certifications. This is referred to as ‘greenwashing’.
At Detpak, product claims presented are certified, traceable, and cover material sourcing to end-of-life disposal. Where specific claims are made, we ensure that all relevant certifications have been passed so our customers can feel confident in choosing Detpak as their responsible packaging supplier.
What does the word sustainable mean?
The word "sustainable" typically refers to practices, processes or products that can be maintained over the long term without causing harm to the environment, depleting natural resources or negatively impacting social and economic systems.
Sustainability encompasses three main pillars:
Environmental sustainability: Ensuring natural resources are used responsibly and conserved for future generations. Environmental sustainability focuses on minimising pollution and waste to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
Social sustainability: Promotes all individuals' well-being and quality of life by ensuring fair treatment, human rights and equitable opportunities.
Economic sustainability: Creating economic systems that support long-term growth without sacrificing environmental or social health. From an economic perspective, sustainability encourages responsible production and consumption to ensure economic benefits are distributed fairly and contribute to reducing poverty.
At Detpak, we’re deeply committed to environmental and social responsibility. We’re committed to working with the industry and our customers to create a range of sustainable packaging solutions to meet your needs while minimising the impact on the environment.
Explore our range of ethically sourced, certified, sustainable packaging products.
