Greenwashing
Greenwashing (green sheen or greenwash) is a term associated with claims made about the environmentally beneficial characteristics of products, services and business practices that are misleading or exaggerated. A typical example might be a petrol station claiming it is 'green' because it has a wind turbine powering an advertising display.
The term greenwashing is a modification of the term whitewashing, which is associated with using false statements to hide unethical business practices.
Early greenwashing techniques first appeared in marketing in the 1960s. Environmentalist Jay Westerveld came up with the term ‘greenwashing’ in the 1980s. He used it in a paper to describe the false equivalency created by hotels that asked guests to reuse their towels to save the environment.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Reasons for using MVHR systems
6 reasons for a whole-house approach to ventilation.
Supplementary Planning Documents, a reminder
As used by the City of London to introduce a Retrofit first policy.
The what, how, why and when of deposit return schemes
Circular economy steps for plastic bottles and cans in England and Northern Ireland draws.
Join forces and share Building Safety knowledge in 2025
Why and how to contribute to the Building Safety Wiki.
Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regs
Approved amendment coming into effect 1 March 2025.
A new CIOB TIS on discharging CDM 2015 duties
Practical steps that can be undertaken in the Management of Contractors to discharge the relevant CDM 2015 duties.
Planning for homes by transport hubs
Next steps for infrastructure following the updated NPPF.
Access, history and Ty unnos.
The world’s first publicly funded civic park.
Exploring permitted development rights for change of use
Discussing lesser known classes M, N, P, PA and L.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 judges choice winner
Once Upon a Pass by Liam Man.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 public choice winner
Fresco School by Roman Robroek.
HE expands finance alliance to boost SME house building
Project follows on from Habiko public-private place making pension partnership for affordable housing delivery.
Licensing construction; looking back to look forward
Voluntary to required contractors (licensing) schemes.
A contractor discusses the Building Safety Act
A brief to the point look at changes that have occurred.
How orchards can influence planning and development.