People are more eco-conscious today than ever before. It has an impact on a massive number of our choices, including what we buy and who from. Some businesses can be incredibly successful just be ensuring they have green credentials that align with their customers. They can do this with their commercial architecture, interior design, products, services, and more.

However, there is an important thing to look at here; greenwashing. Sadly some businesses simply give the illusion that they are doing their bit for the environment. If you look a little deeper, you can actually see they are still doing things that are harmful to the planet.

What is it?

The whole aim with greenwashing is to deceive consumers and sometimes other stakeholders too. Think of it as similar to brainwashing where the attempt is to make someone believe that something is true even in the face of other evidence. When a business attempts to greenwash, they give the appearance that they are responsible and prioritise sustainability.

Some businesses go to great lengths to try to show they are more eco-conscious than they really are. For example, they can use language that sounds good but doesn’t have proper definitions or criteria to drive the standards. Phrases like all-natural and non-toxic are popular buzzwords.

The saddest thing is the greenwashing can deceive customers who have the right intentions. They may believe they are supporting a considerate business when they aren’t. In some cases this can be very harmful too. That is why new EU regulations will ban it.

How to avoid it?

The challenging thing for buyers is some businesses do sound very convincing with how they promote themselves. Everything may look great, including their commercial architecture, ads, packaging, and more. But there are some things you can do.

One is to simply ask for more info. Businesses that are truly sustainable should have no problem giving you details of what they do. In fact, most will sing from the rooftops about how they have invested in materials and processes to minimise the impact on the environment.

Another thing to do is look for accreditations from third-parties. There are a surprising number of these. For example, they may have accreditation from the Carbon Trust, FSC, Green Mark, and more. These can show the business itself has sustainable practices and that specific products are gentle on the environment. Always check that raw materials are sourced ethnically.

You should also look at sustainability at every stage. This includes all points of a supply chain, including manufacturing processes and delivery. End of life is also important. Ideally products should be recyclable.

Do you need any help with commercial architecture?

Coffey Architects is a fantastic team to work with if you want to create stunning architecture. We have a huge amount of experience, encompassing the private and public sector. We can design spaces for all kinds of businesses, housing and homes, and more. If you want your building to showcase your green credentials, we can do that for you.

So, get in touch today and let us know what you want to achieve with your commercial architecture. We can assist with designs, applying for planning permission and overseeing projects.