Greenwashing
Greenwashing
How to Avoid Being Duped
In today’s world, sustainability is a major selling point for companies. Consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever, and businesses are eager to present themselves as eco-friendly. However, not all green claims are legitimate. Many companies engage in "greenwashing" — misleading consumers into believing their products or practices are more sustainable than they truly are. To avoid being duped by greenwashing, here are some key steps to take.
Look Beyond Buzzwords
Phrases like “eco-friendly,” “natural,” “green,” and “sustainable” sound good, but they don’t always mean much. Without specific details, these terms can be empty marketing tactics. Instead of taking them at face value, look for concrete claims about how a product or company reduces its environmental impact.
Check for Certifications
Legitimate environmental certifications can help verify green claims. Look for logos from trusted organizations like:
Energy Star (for energy-efficient appliances)
USDA Organic (for organic food products)
Fair Trade Certified (for ethically sourced goods)
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (for responsibly sourced paper and wood)
Be wary of labels that look official but aren’t backed by a recognized third-party organization.
Read the Fine Print
Some companies include sustainability claims that are technically true but misleading. For example, a product may be labeled “made with recycled materials,” but only contain a small percentage of recycled content. Look for specifics — does the company explain how much of a product is recycled or how much energy is saved? Transparency is key.
Investigate the Company’s Overall Practices
A company may promote one green product while continuing environmentally harmful practices elsewhere. If a business claims to be eco-friendly, check its website, sustainability reports, and third-party reviews. Does the company have clear goals for reducing carbon emissions, waste, or water usage? Are they actively improving, or just marketing a single "green" product?
Be Skeptical of Carbon Offsetting Claims
Some companies claim to be "carbon neutral" because they buy carbon offsets rather than reducing their actual emissions. While offsets can help, they shouldn’t be a substitute for real sustainability efforts. A responsible company should focus on reducing its environmental footprint first.
Support Truly Sustainable Brands
Do research and choose companies with a proven track record of sustainability. Brands that are genuinely committed to the environment will have measurable goals, detailed sustainability reports, and independent verification of their efforts.
By staying informed and questioning green claims, consumers can make better choices and encourage companies to adopt genuinely sustainable practices. Greenwashing thrives on misinformation — don’t fall for it!
Interested in reading more about how to avoid falling prey to Greenwashing? Check out this article from earth.org called, "What Is Greenwashing and How to Avoid It?".
Designer Monologues the Podcast from IIDA New England with your host Katie Corcoran Garcia is officially LIVE!! On this show, we’ll share the stories behind the design of repurposing, developing and reshaping our communities. Incubated from the minds and skills of New England’s talented design community, you’ll hear how visual inspiration can come from nature, our history, current trends and more as we take you on a story-telling journey behind design.
Check out our latest episode here.
IIDA NE Board of Directors joined together at Illuminate for the Winter Retreat. Special thanks to Ryanne Sanderson and our valued Chapter Sponsor, Illuminate for hosting us.
Dear IIDA New England,
As I look back on 2024, I am in awe of all that we have achieved together as an organization. This year has been a testament to our collective dedication, passion, and vision for the future of interior design. From advocacy and education to community-building and celebrating our creativity, IIDA has truly had a year to remember.
Advocacy. This year, our incredible Advocacy Committee made significant strides towards licensure for interior designers in MA, and with your continued support, we are closer than ever to achieving this goal.
Education + EDI Engagement. 2025 promises exciting educational opportunities, building upon the incredible work of our Professional Development and EDI committees, while we continue to integrate equity, diversity and inclusion into our work through events, content, and conversations.
Hartford’s Farm to Table event was quite a memorable experience as well, highlighting the power of collaboration and the transformative impact of mindful design.
Community Engagement + Events. This year, our members celebrated together to volunteer, giving back to local non-profit organizations and each of our major events partnered with an organization to deepen our industry’s impact. Our community came together to celebrate each other’s amazing work – at both the Design Awards and Fashion Show. Croquet continued to bring us a slice of everything New England summer has to offer, all while fostering deeper connections, contributing to a stronger, supportive community.
Our Path Ahead. The Board of Directors recently spent a full day together focusing on key initiatives that will shape the future of our Chapter. This dedicated time allowed us to review and refine our strategic plan, ensuring we continue to meet the needs of our members and advance our mission effectively.
I want to take this opportunity to remind you that nominations are now open for the next term of our Board of Directors. Nominations are open to all. Whether you’re a new member, or a seasoned volunteer, we strive to bring together a diverse team that will lift our design community and continue to provide programming and resources that aligns with what you are all asking for. This is a great opportunity to get involved, contribute your expertise, and help guide the direction of our Chapter. If you or someone you know is interested in serving, we encourage you to submit a nomination. More details can be found here.
Thank You to Our Volunteers. A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers, whose dedication and passion make our work possible and continually strengthen our IIDA New England community.
"The world needs you, and you are enough." - Cleo Wade
Best,
Colleen E. Wallace, IIDA
President, IIDA NE Chapter
Be sure to check in with the IIDA New England calendar for upcoming events (both virtual and in-person) offered in our community. Here's a sneak peek at some upcoming events:
IIDA NE Ski Trip // Friday, January 10 (in person) - *Registration is CLOSED for this event
IIDA NE NCIDQ 2025 Study Group // starts Monday, January 13 (virtual)
Check out the list of IIDA New England Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) Class of 2023 and the Leadership Exploration & Development (LEAD) Class of 2023!
Do you have an idea that you would like to share with the design community or see highlighted here in The Wire? Share your ideas here.
Stay tuned for the next Sponsor Spotlight!
Follow IIDA New England on social media and visit our website to keep up with the latest and greatest!
