Layout Image

Archive for Magazine Ads

Dasani Water PlantBottle

The PlantBottle: Some say a step in the right direction, other label it as greenwashWhat’s the one thing aliens (or whomever) are sure to find after this thing we call “civilization” has long slipped into Earth’s turbulent past?

Water bottles. And lots of ‘em.

I recently came across my first bottle of Dasani water in the “PlantBottle” introduced last year. CocaCola, owners of Desani, claims the new plastic material is made partially from plants and is 100 percent recyclable.

Some say it is a small step in the right direction.

Others say it’s greenwash and a step in the wrong direction.

Read More→

Kohler: Mixed Messages?

We were sent this tip from Taryn. On the same day, Taryn received her issue of National Geographic (whose current issue is about global water resources), and in it was this first ad on the left. In Taryn’s mailbox was also her latest issue of Wired, containing within its pages the ad below –  with a remarkably  different message; “jarring” is the word Taryn used to describe her reaction.

While the SaveWaterAmerica campaign is educational and ostensibly leads to a good cause, could they do more? Why the stark difference in their message between these two ads? Readers of Wired don’t even get to hear about SaveWaterAmerica.

Thanks to Taryn for this tip, if you have a greenwashing ad or PR campaign you’d like us to know about please submit your tip for consideration

Read More→

Greenwashing: Chevy Models and Pretty Leaves Falling Off Trees

chevy-greenwashing-green-marketing-cars
This feels desperate. The add reads “Chevy offers more models than Toyota or Honda* (*or Nissan or Hyundai or VW) with an EPA est. 30 MPG highway or better. I like the green leaves?

More information:
-Gas Friendly to Gas Free?
-Your Environment: A Green Agenda (a little sarcastic but I’m not in the best mood right now anyway…)
-Culprits of Greenwashing

Greenwashing Advertisement: Mentos Gum

mentos-fresh-freshly-pickeg-strawberry-gum-green-greenwashing
Mentos – Freshly Picked Gum. Ad from People Magazine in February, 2009. Greenwashing at it’s best, or maybe it’s worst? I’m not sure. I can’t tell if this is a joke or not, but it certainly implies that their processed gum is fresh and straight off the vine. I’d love to see a tree that grows Mentos gum pieces. I hope it’s a joke.

Greenwashing: Eco Options at The Home Depot

home-depot-eco-options-program-green-greenwashing
Click on the image to see a larger image. This image is from a magazine in 2007. While I think it’s great that The Home Depot is saying that the Eco Options Program is their “biggest home improvement project” yet, there is nothing but a small link at the very bottom of their website about this program. Not to mention the advertisement seems to be something they cranked out just because they better hop on to the Earth-friendly eco-wagon.