Greenwash is a term used to describe the practice ofcompanies disingenuously spinning their products and policies asenvironmentally friendly. Every year for the past decade, Earth Day Resourcesfor Living Green has released a report called "Don't Be Fooled." Thereport calls attention to the year's 10 worst greenwashers. This years reporthightlights how greenwashing is used in the construction industry
-- Comanche Trace, a commercial developer, bills its golf courses as"great habitats," even though golf courses deplete natural habitatsand use pesticides that poison groundwater.
In the rush to gain a competitive edge developers, contractors, and buildingmaterial suppliers may overstate the "green" qualities of theirproducts or services to keep pace with consumer demand. Problems will arisewhen they do not live up to their claims and expectations are not met.