The Ad That Made Me Think Twice
I still remember watching a Coca-Cola ad back in my college days.
It proudly said their bottles were “100% recycled”. The visuals were perfect: green forests, blue oceans, and happy people holding bottles. It looked like they were saving the planet.
For a moment, I really believed it. I thought, “Finally, a big brand is doing something good for the environment.”
But a few weeks later, I read a report by ClientEarth. It said that while the bottles were recycled, the caps and labels were not recyclable. That’s when I realised the truth.
They weren’t completely lying, but they weren’t being honest either.
And that’s what we call greenwashing.
What Is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing is when brands pretend to be eco-friendly just for marketing.
They use nice words like “eco”, “organic”, or “natural” and fill their ads with green colours, plants, and nature scenes. It makes us feel like they care about the Earth. But in reality, not much has changed
The factories still pollute, the packaging is still plastic, and the damage continues, only now the brand looks cleaner.
It’s like putting a green coat of paint over something dirty and calling it new
Why Do Brands Do It?
The answer is simple – because it works.
Today, people care more about the planet. We want to make good choices and buy sustainable products. So, when we see words like “eco-friendly” or “sustainable”, we feel better about our purchase.
Brands know this. Instead of changing their products, many just change their message.
They launch “green” versions, post about planting trees, or print “eco” on packaging while still harming the environment in other ways.
For many, it’s not about helping nature; it’s about protecting their image and profits.
Some even hire marketing experts to create fake “sustainability stories” that sound nice but lack proof.
It’s all about feelings, not facts.