When a company misleads consumers regarding the environmental properties of its products, services or practices, it’s called greenwashing.  It’s like putting a veneer of green-ness over the exterior of the actual business practice.

To combat this trend, the folks at TerraChoice, an environmental marketing company, have defined and enumerated the types of sins committed by companies that (intentionally or not) are guilty of greenwashing.  Trade-Offs, No-Proof, Vaugeness and more: The list is cartoon-cute, clever, and entertaining, while still being clear and thorough. By reading it and playing the accompanying ”Name that Sin” game, consumers will become better able to rationally evaluate the eco-claims companies make in order to lure dollars from eco-conscious wallets. Hopefully,  consumers who are better educated about greenwashing techniques can force companies to back up environmental claims with substantive actions or risk lost sales and soiled reputations.

Check it out for yourself at sinsofgreenwashing.org.