greenwashing

1 of 2

noun

green·​wash·​ing ˈgrēn-ˌwȯ-shiŋ 

-ˌwä-

: the act or practice of making a product, policy, activity, etc. appear to be more environmentally friendly or less environmentally damaging than it really is

The practice of greenwashing appears more common as firms attempt to better position themselves in a global marketplace growing more concerned with corporate sustainability.

—Timothy W. Aurand et al.

Not only is greenwashing bad for the environment, but it's misleading to consumers who want to invest in products that aren't harmful to the planet.

—Jennifer Manfrin

The greenwashing allegation … adds to efforts to heap pressure on some of the world's biggest polluting companies as regulators take an increasing interest in climate change.

—William Mathis and Austin Weinstein Bloomberg

A lack of rigorous measurement means that greenwashing is rife and bogus claims go uncontested.

—The Economist

greenwashing

2 of 2

present participle of greenwash

Examples of greenwashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Groups like these and other third-party companies can help guide reliability in data and reduce the risk of greenwashing. —Jeffrey Bartel, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

There is a plague of greenwashing and symbolic corporate gestures. —David Miliband, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2021

If one of the country’s highest-profile sports franchises were to take a courageous stand and reject fossil fuel greenwashing, the ripple effects — across sports, the media and culture — could be enormous. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024

Other greens expressed deep frustration over their fellow environmentalists’ indifference to the meat industry’s environmental destruction, or worse, some organization’s willingness to partner with companies on greenwashing projects. —Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

greenwash entry 1 + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1990, in the meaning defined above