NPR: Eco-friendly Product Claims Often Misleading

Just when you started feeling good about buying the latest eco-friendly product, environmental marketing firm TerraChoice has reported that most "green" products are making claims that are misleading.

Of the 1,018 products that made environmental claims, ranging from toothpaste to office paper, TerraChoice found that all but one was committing what the firm calls "the Six Sins of Greenwashing."

Some of the products bragged about containing no CFCs, preying on consumers who don't know that CFCs were banned from American products in 1978. Others claimed to be organic, without any evidence of certification. And still others highlighted environmental benefits that were outweighed by manufacturing and shipping processes that actually did more harm than good.

To make sure you don't become the next victim of greenwashing, listen to the podcast on npr.org.