Week Two: greenwashing

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The term "greenwashing" amuses me greatly, as I too have become disenchanted overuse of "green" and "environmentally friendly".  Although these ideas originally came from those who truly believed helping the environment was necessary, it seems that they have been somewhat hijacked as a marketing ploy.  The hotel towel example Motavalli (2011) uses is one which resonates with me, as I often wonder whether hotels are really concerned about environmental issues, or whether they are more interested in using environmental concerns as a tool in improving their bottom line.  

The question that must be asked, however, is does it really matter? If the environment is the concern, and "environmental awareness" has become a fad to the point where marketing companies use it to sell products- isn't the true winner in this the environment? Big business may win a little too, but only as a by-product and although we are "supposed" to think of them as the evil opponent, does it really matter? Yes, hotels do waste resources in other areas, but aren't we taught that every little bit counts?

Motavalli, J., 2011. A History of Greenwashing: How Dirty Towels Impacted the Green Movement. Accessed 28 July 2012 http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/12/the-history-of-greenwashing-how-dirty-towels-impacted-the-green/