

The more “green” a product is that you buy, the less green your wallet usually is right after. Although those of us that strive for a more eco-friendly lifestyle probably won’t want to admit it, the fact is that “going green” is a fad being capitalized upon by corporations that are taking full advantage of the demand for environmentally safe products. This isn’t to say, however, that the products being advertised as “green” aren’t eco-friendly – it’s just that they are usually considerably more expensive, and aren’t even that much better for the environment than their eco-unfriendly counterparts. Here are 5 of the most blatant examples of corporations cashing in on people’s faddish natures (in my opinion), so you can spend on products that are actually designed for the environment and not for your money.
1. Hybrid cars
Yes, hybrid cars give you better gas mileage, but is it really worth the price? For instance, a Honda Civic gets 40 mpg on the freeway and is around $20,000 – a Toyota Prius offers 50 mpg and is around $28,000. Since both cars have similar selling points, you’re basically trying to justify paying an extra $8,000 by an increase of 10 mpg. This will eventually pay itself off if the car is driven over a long enough period of time, but it will most likely take years. By that time, you probably would have bought a new car already.
2. Organic food
Organic food justifies its higher prices by the absence of synthetic chemicals used in fertilizer and its more stringent standards. However, using real manure is a breeding ground for bacteria like E. coli. Granted, farms that follow the regulations for organic farming will compost the manure for 60 days to kill any harboring bacteria, the fact is that this is not a full proof. We’ve learned the hard way time and again that bacteria mutates at an unprecedented rate, and it’s only a matter of time before a strain will come out that can last longer than the 60 day composting period.
3. Eco jewelry
Eco jewelry is probably the most faddish expenditure on this list. Although you may feel cool buying weird stuff made out of dried fruit skins, the fact is that you’re paying high prices for perishable jewelry. Even if you douse it with preservatives and keep it in the fridge every night, the novelty will wear off, and you’ll still be spending money on “real” jewelry before long.
4. Solar power
Although solar panels are an eco friendly move per se, the majority of people don’t live in environments where you could completely rely on a solar powered system. Having an inconsistent source of energy is not only annoying, but risky if you rely on power guzzling types of alarm systems for home security. Even if you live somewhere that’s always sunny, most solar panels convert only 10-15% of solar energy into electricity, leaving you to rely on “conventional” electricity generated from coal and water.
5. Eco-clothing
Eco clothes are usually made with natural dyes and hemp instead of cotton or wool. Although the natural dyes are better than synthetic versions, cotton and wool break down at essentially the same rate as hemp, making them neither worse nor better for the environment. Add the fact that any shirt labeled eco-friendly comes with a less than friendly price, and if you didn’t know any better, you could probably say that these companies are trying to capitalize on something here.