1. Is there enough information available about a product? Some companies are deliberately vague because they know that explaining a product’s capabilities might warn customers about how eco-unfriendly they are.



2. At the same time, beware of products that use a lot of confusing language or technical terms. Companies sometimes try to mask the real story behind a lot of jargon.



3. Don’t be misled by claims that say “100% natural” or “100% eco-friendly”. Look deeper.



4. Pictures of flowers and trees on a product’s label do not necessarily mean that it is more “green” than the other products available.



5. Think logically. Can a certain company really be all that environmentally friendly? For example, a petroleum company might say that it is doing a lot to preserve natural habitats. But, that doesn’t lessen the fact that it is responsible for products like petrol and diesel that are adding to global warming and climate change.

If you suspect a case of greenwashing, it is always better to take a look at the company behind the product, advise experts. Find out how true its claims are. Is there enough scientific evidence to prove the company right? Check how it has performed in the past – has it always treated the environment fairly? If not, there are high chances that they are hiding something now. You might also want to check out sites like www.greenwashingindex.com that rate how truthful advertisements are.