How greenwashing affects boaters
If you didn’t know before, the world of marine cleaning is filled with brands that proudly label their products as “environmentally friendly,” “all-natural,” and “biodegradable.” That’s great, right? We want to keep our waterways clean, to protect marine life, and to be responsible boaters. But what do those terms really mean? Who’s in charge of making sure these claims are true? Well, it’s complicated! First, let’s take a look at the phenomenon of “greenwashing” to understand more about how claims like these mislead consumers around the world.
What is Greenwashing?
“Greenwashing” is a dishonest type of marketing used to make a brand’s products or services appear more environmentally friendly than they really are. Greenwashed messaging often includes inflated claims about sustainability, and brands like these center design elements typically associated with nature.
Greenwashing has become more common in recent years as we shift toward a more sustainable future. As a result, some regulatory bodies and other government agencies have required ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting on their products but, because it’s a relatively new issue, brands get away with greenwashing all the time.
You’ll start to notice greenwashing all over with a practiced eye. Green logos and vague slogans or baseless verbiage on labels with phrases like “all-natural” and “eco-friendly” are everywhere. Here are a few things to look out for when you’re scanning the shelves for something that’s actually good for the environment:
Does the company provide proof of its claims?
Is the company transparent about their ingredients?
Does the company emphasize its “greenness” without utilizing consistently sustainable practices?
Does the company present fabricated statements as facts?
Does the company use vague language to purport its claims?
How does this happen in the marine cleaning industry? The EPA (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) is there to ensure that commercial marine cleaning products meet specific standards to enter the marketplace, but there isn’t as much regulation for private-use products. Many brands can make claims that are technically true but are still very misleading. For example, nearly everything we know can be considered biodegradable even though it can take tens of thousands of years to biodegrade. Most things are inherently biodegradable, while others are readily biodegradable and will break down within hours as opposed to millennia.
The DiTEC Difference
DiTEC Marine Cleaning has an advantage over the competition. We saw false claims or ineffective “green” products that used decades-old science and came up with solutions using cutting-edge chemistry instead. DiTEC has not only met but exceeded the standards of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) set for commercial marine cleaning products, and we fully comply with the MARPOL Annex III, MARPOL Annex V, EPA NPDES, and EU REACH standards. When used as directed, our DiTEC Marine products are not harmful to the marine environment and can be discharged overboard with wash water.
Our competitors also offer products that they call “environmentally friendly.” Still, DiTEC is one of the few companies that can claim full compliance with the highest standards across our full range of cleaning products for private use.
While it can be overwhelming to try to spot every unsubstantiated claim and fabricated statement—and it can certainly be disappointing to learn that some of your favorite companies have been less than transparent—you’ll never have to guess with DiTEC! We’re proud to be a leader in the marine cleaning industry for our transparency, advanced chemistry, and full compliance with the highest standards.
