Interesting to see them covering the earth... with their TOXIC paint.
In 2009 Shewin-Williams introduced a line of paints that “were designed and manufactured taking steps to reduce environmental impact.” Sherwin-Williams even went so far to make sure that the paints adhered to the “GreenSure” criteria – a list of various criteria that paints must meet to be green friendly. However, the “GreenSure” criteria wasn’t created by a third party of concerned environmental scientist, but Sherwin Williams themselves (likely their crafty marketing department). This is pretty odd considering that there are independent third party groups such as “GreenGaurd” and “GreenSeal” that have a set of criteria that is recognized as being truly green. One problem with Sherwin Williams’ “GreenSure” criteria, as Treeehugger noted, is that it allows high levels of dangerous VOCs – hundreds of times higher than those of “GreenGuard” or “GreenSeal,” While it’s great that Sherwin-Williams has decided to create a line of paints that is only slightly less likely to ruin the environment and slightly less likely to make the consumer sick, there is no justification for them to advertise their products that are filled with toxic chemicals as being “green.” This is a lame and transparent attempt to get health and Eco-conscious consumers to buy their product – to put it simply, they’re Greenwashing.
Their “GreenSure” label isn’t the only area where Sherwin-Williams is greenwashing, they are also doing it on their website and in their Corporate Social Responsibility Report. If one were to read the report – which in addition to talking about their “green” paints also discusses their green business practices and community involvement – one would believe that Sherwin-Williams is a company that is fully committed to the green movement and to making our world a healthier place. However, Sherwin-Williams fails to mention that they still sell and promote paints with high-levels of VOCs. As a business that is promoting itself as being green, they should make sure that ALL of their products are low and no VOC, not just a few. Additionally, the other coatings, stains, and supplies that they sell are not environmentally friendly. Furthermore, Sherwin Williams refuses to give out a list of all the chemicals used in their products, making it difficult for the consumer to check the safety of the product themselves. I poked around for some MSDS’s on their websites, and it was not as user friendly as others.
Although Shewin-Williams is doing a few things to make themselves greener – they are changing some of their companies policies and their “GreenSure” line of paints is sold in recycled containers – they are not as green as they claim to be and they are actively greenwashing. Rather than really caring about the environment, Sherwin-Williams has designed a “green” program only to attract Eco-conscious consumers. While their pocketbook may be in the right place with this type of marketing, their heart certainly isn’t. Consumers that care about the environment owe it to themselves to ignore companies like Sherwin-Williams and make sure to do business with companies that are truly green and that really do care about the environment and the health of their customers.
Further Reading
TreeHugger on Sherwin Williams’ Greenwashing
