The consequences of greenwashing in your company

Why greenwashing does you more harm than good...

Greenwashing may work in the short term to create a sustainable image - but the long-term consequences can be serious for companies. Consumers, business partners and investors are increasingly scrutinising whether sustainability promises are really being kept. Those who rely on greenwashing not only risk their image, but also legal and economic disadvantages.

#1 Loss of trust:

Customers & partners turn their backs on companies

💡 72% of consumers favour brands that are demonstrably sustainable. (Source: Nielsen study)

💡 60% of B2B customers now actively review the sustainability measures of their partners.

What that means:

Companies that only ‘paint themselves green’ but do not take any real action lose credibility. As soon as it becomes apparent to the outside world that sustainability promises are not being honoured, trust can be irrevocably destroyed - and information of this kind spreads very quickly.

📌 Example:

A major fashion retailer advertised a ‘sustainable collection’ but did not transparently state whether materials were actually recycled. Following revelations in the media, the company lost a lot of trust - and customers switched to the competition.

#2 Legal risks:

Stricter regulations & penalties for greenwashing

💡 The EU is planning stricter greenwashing guidelines that provide for high penalties for false sustainability promises.

💡 In the USA and the EU, millions have already been fined for misleading ‘green’ advertising campaigns

What that means:

Regulatory authorities are increasingly focussing on transparency. Companies must provide concrete evidence for their sustainability claims, preferably in the form of verifiable and comprehensible certificates or proof. Anyone who makes misleading marketing claims can be legally prosecuted - from warnings to heavy fines.

📌 Example:

A major oil company claimed in its advertising that it was investing heavily in renewable energies - but in fact less than 1% of its total investment went into sustainable projects. The British advertising regulator banned the campaign on the grounds of deception.

#3 Economic damage:

Declining sales & failed partnerships

💡 76% of investors favour companies with demonstrable ESG goals. (Source: PwC Global Investor Survey)

💡 54% of companies see greenwashing as a risk to business development. (Source: EY Sustainability Report)

What that means:

Companies that only appear to be sustainable attract fewer investors and lose market share in the long term. Large B2B partners and investors are paying more attention to whether companies fulfil genuine ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria and want to be able to track this on the right.

📌 Example:

An international logistics company wanted to advertise a ‘climate-neutral’ service, but was unable to provide clear calculations on CO₂ emissions. Large customers such as retailers and tech companies pulled out as they needed credible sustainability evidence for their own ESG reports.

🐠 Warum ist Plastic Fischer eine fundierte Lösung für dein Unternehmen, um Greenwashing zu vermeiden?

Du erhältst Nachhaltigkeit mit messbarem Impact:

• Wir entfernen Plastik aus Flüssen – direkt messbare Umweltwirkung, die du genauso kommunizieren kannst
• Du erhältst transparente Berichte über deine gesammelten Plastikmengen
• Wir übernehmen soziale Verantwortung - mit deiner Unterstützung sorgst du ebenfalls für lokale Arbeitsplätze und förderst nachhaltige Prozesse
• Wir integrieren deinen Impact in ESG-Berichte - Ideal für die rechtssichere und glaubwürdige Kommunikation von Umweltmaßnahmen

Unsere Partner:innen profitieren von messbaren Ergebnissen & glaubwürdiger Nachhaltigkeit.