How to spot greenwashing
We’ve been asked by a few Recycle Heroes about how to recycle bamboo. A lot of us made the switch to bamboo toothbrushes, for example, as it was advertised as the eco-friendly alternative to plastic. But how friendly is it?
A product may be labelled as "bamboo" but contains a significant amount of plastic. If you’re looking for such a product, look to see if it’s 100% bamboo. If it’s been mixed with plastic or chemicals, you can’t put it in the compost bin. Right now, we are not aware of anywhere in Australia that recycles bamboo products. (If you do, let us know!)
Greenwashing is a strategy used to create the impression that products are environmentally friendly, when in fact they may not be.
How to spot greenwashing:
Brown paper used to make it look like it's made from recycled paper (but it’s just virgin paper or lined with plastic.)
An asterisk next to a phrase like “made from plant based materials*” - that’s a legal disclaimer.
Using words like “greenER” or “MORE eco-friendly” in reference to their other products, without being made from recycled or eco-friendly materials.
How to combat greenwashing:
Look for how you will dispose of the item before buying. Is it recyclable or compostable? Will you be able to dispose of it in your council bins or with RecycleSmart?
If the only answer is landfill, you might decide to choose another product you know can be recycled or composted.
For all those things you know CAN be recycled, e.g. soft plastics, clothes, e-waste, polystyrene…
