Sustainability

You’ve built your brand on values that matter. Your customers care about where their products come from, how they’re made, and what impact their purchases have on the world. They’re asking the hard questions—and they deserve honest answers.

But here’s the truth: sustainability in textile manufacturing isn’t black and white. It’s not about being perfect from day one or making grand claims you can’t back up. It’s about making meaningful progress, being transparent about challenges, and committing to continuous improvement.

The textile industry faces real sustainability challenges—water consumption, chemical use, energy intensity, and complex global supply chains. Greenwashing has made consumers skeptical of sustainability claims, and rightfully so. What’s needed now more than ever is honesty: acknowledging where we are, being clear about what we’re doing, and admitting what we’re still working on.

This comprehensive guide explores sustainable textile manufacturing with transparency and practicality. We’ll discuss what sustainability actually means in textiles, the real challenges involved, meaningful steps that can be taken, and how to make informed decisions that balance environmental responsibility with business viability.

Whether you’re launching a conscious brand, evaluating manufacturing partners, or simply want to understand how textiles can be made more responsibly, this guide provides honest, actionable insights.

Why Sustainability Matters in Textile Manufacturing

The textile industry is one of the world’s largest industries, and with that scale comes significant environmental and social impact. Understanding why sustainability matters helps frame the decisions ahead.

The environmental reality:

Water consumption: Textile production is highly water-intensive. Cotton cultivation requires irrigation, dyeing processes use massive amounts of water, and finishing treatments add to consumption. In water-scarce regions, this creates serious concerns about resource depletion and community access to water.

Chemical pollution: Traditional textile processing uses numerous chemicals for dyeing, printing, and finishing. Without proper treatment, these chemicals can pollute waterways, harm aquatic life, and affect communities downstream from manufacturing facilities.

Carbon emissions: Manufacturing facilities consume energy, mostly from fossil fuels in many regions. Transportation across global supply chains adds significant emissions. The fashion industry collectively contributes substantial greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste generation: Fabric scraps, defective products, and end-of-life textiles often end up in landfills. Synthetic textiles can take hundreds of years to decompose, while even natural fibers in landfills produce methane as they break down without oxygen.

The social dimension:

Worker welfare: Manufacturing jobs can provide crucial economic opportunities, but only when workers receive fair wages, safe conditions, and respect for their rights. Poor labor practices hurt individuals, families, and communities.

Community impact: Factories affect the communities around them—through employment, environmental conditions, and economic development. Responsible manufacturing supports communities; irresponsible practices harm them.

The business case for sustainability:

Consumer demand: Growing numbers of consumers prioritize sustainable products and are willing to pay premiums for them. Sustainability increasingly influences purchasing decisions, especially among younger consumers.

Regulatory trends: Governments worldwide are implementing stricter environmental and social compliance requirements. Getting ahead of regulations reduces future risk and disruption.

Risk management: Sustainable practices reduce exposure to resource scarcity, regulatory penalties, and reputation damage. They build resilience into operations.

Competitive advantage: Genuine sustainability commitment differentiates brands in crowded markets and builds customer loyalty beyond just product features.

Operational efficiency: Many sustainable practices—like reducing waste, optimizing resource use, and improving energy efficiency—directly reduce costs over time.

The Honest Reality: It’s a Journey, Not a Destination

Before diving into practices and solutions, let’s establish something important: no textile manufacturer is perfectly sustainable, and claiming to be is either dishonest or naive.

Why perfect sustainability is impossible (currently):

Manufacturing inherently consumes resources and produces some environmental impact. Even the most eco-conscious materials require energy to produce, water to process, and transportation to deliver. Global supply chains involve trade-offs between emissions and economic realities.

Progress requires investment, and not all improvements can be made simultaneously. Priorities must be set, which means some issues get addressed before others.

What honest sustainability looks like:

Transparency about current state: Acknowledging both strengths and areas needing improvement. Being clear about what you’re doing well and what you’re still working on.

Measurable goals: Setting specific, time-bound targets rather than vague commitments. “Reduce water usage by 30% within 2 years” is more meaningful than “committed to water conservation.”

Continuous improvement: Viewing sustainability as an ongoing process, not a finish line. Regularly assessing practices, identifying opportunities, and implementing improvements.

Trade-off honesty: Admitting when one sustainability benefit comes with another challenge. For example, organic cotton reduces pesticide use but may require more land and water than conventional cotton.

Systems thinking: Recognizing that sustainability involves interconnected environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Addressing one while ignoring others isn’t truly sustainable.

At SpunWorks, we approach sustainability as a journey we’re actively on, not a destination we’ve reached. We’re making meaningful progress, investing in improvements, and being honest about our challenges and limitations.

Understanding Sustainable Materials: Options and Trade-offs

Material choice significantly impacts sustainability. Let’s explore options honestly, including their benefits and limitations.

Organic Cotton

What it is: Cotton grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, using organic farming practices and soil health management.

Sustainability benefits:

• Eliminates toxic pesticide exposure for farmers and ecosystems
• Improves soil health through crop rotation and composting
• Reduces chemical runoff into waterways
• GMO-free cultivation
• Often includes fair trade and worker welfare standards

Honest limitations:

• Typically yields less per acre than conventional cotton, requiring more land
• Can still be water-intensive depending on growing region
• Organic certification adds cost (5-15% premium typically)
• Limited availability compared to conventional cotton
• Not automatically better if transportation emissions are high

When to choose: When chemical-free production is a priority, for products in direct skin contact, and when certification provides customer value. Works well for brands with sustainability positioning and customers willing to invest.

Recycled Cotton

What it is: Cotton fiber reclaimed from textile waste—either pre-consumer (factory scraps) or post-consumer (used garments)—and respun into new yarn.

Sustainability benefits:

• Diverts waste from landfills and reduces need for new cotton cultivation
• Significantly reduces water usage (no irrigation needed)
• Lower energy consumption than virgin cotton production
• Supports circular economy principles
• Makes use of existing resources rather than extracting new ones

Honest limitations:

• Recycling shortens fibers, reducing strength and quality
• Usually blended with virgin cotton (commonly 20-50% recycled content)
• Limited color options (often works best for heathers and melange)
• Can’t be recycled indefinitely—fiber degrades with each cycle
• Collection and sorting infrastructure still developing

When to choose: For blended fabrics balancing sustainability with performance, when supporting circular economy is brand-aligned, and for products where slightly reduced durability is acceptable.

Organic Bamboo (Viscose/Rayon)

What it is: Fabric made from bamboo pulp, typically processed into viscose or rayon through chemical treatment.

Sustainability benefits:

• Bamboo grows extremely fast (up to 3 feet per day) without pesticides
• Requires minimal water and no fertilizer
• Regenerates from roots after harvesting (no replanting)
• Can grow in marginal soils unsuitable for food crops
• Resulting fabric is soft, breathable, and biodegradable

Honest limitations:

• Viscose processing is chemically intensive, similar to regular rayon
• Closed-loop processing (safer, less polluting) costs more and isn’t universal
• Environmental benefits depend heavily on processing methods
• Some bamboo cultivation has displaced forests (sustainability requires verification)
• “Bamboo fabric” marketing can obscure that it’s chemically processed viscose

When to choose: When you want fast-growing renewable fiber, with preference for certified closed-loop processing (look for OEKO-TEX or similar). Best when processing transparency is available.

Linen (Flax)

What it is: Natural fiber from the flax plant, one of the oldest textile fibers with minimal processing requirements.

Sustainability benefits:

• Flax grows in poor soil with minimal water and no pesticides needed
• Entire plant is usable, creating minimal waste
• Naturally biodegradable and compostable
• Exceptionally durable—linen products last for years
• Lower environmental impact than cotton in most measures
• Processing requires less chemicals than many alternatives

Honest limitations:

• More expensive than cotton due to processing labor
• Limited growing regions (mainly Europe)
• Wrinkles easily, which some consider a drawback
• Processing is labor-intensive, affecting cost
• Not as soft as cotton initially (though improves with washing)

When to choose: For premium products where durability matters, home textiles, and products where natural texture and wrinkles fit the aesthetic. Excellent for brands emphasizing longevity and timeless design.

Recycled Polyester (rPET)

What it is: Polyester made from recycled plastic bottles or textile waste rather than virgin petroleum.

Sustainability benefits:

• Diverts plastic bottles from landfills and oceans
• Uses 30-50% less energy than virgin polyester production
• Reduces petroleum extraction and processing
• Performance characteristics similar to virgin polyester
• Growing availability and competitive pricing

Honest limitations:

• Still sheds microplastics when washed (environmental concern)
• Not biodegradable—remains plastic
• Recycling process requires energy and can degrade quality slightly
• Can’t be recycled infinitely (fiber degrades)
• Petroleum-based, even if recycled

When to choose: When synthetic properties (durability, moisture-wicking, quick-dry) are needed, for performance wear, bags, outdoor products, and when wanting synthetic benefits with reduced virgin material impact.

Hemp

What it is: Natural fiber from the hemp plant, related to flax and among the strongest natural fibers.

Sustainability benefits:

• Grows rapidly with minimal water requirements
• No pesticides needed—naturally pest-resistant
• Actually improves soil health and structure
• Extremely durable and long-lasting fiber
• Entire plant is usable with minimal waste
• Sequesters more CO2 per acre than most crops

Honest limitations:

• Legal cultivation restrictions in some regions (though easing)
• Processing can be chemical-intensive unless mechanical
• Less soft than cotton initially (improves significantly with wear)
• Supply chain still developing in many regions
• Higher cost than conventional options currently

When to choose: For durable products like bags, canvas, workwear, and when fabric will be washed frequently (softens beautifully). Excellent for brands emphasizing environmental regeneration and product longevity.

Water Management: A Critical Sustainability Focus

Textile manufacturing is water-intensive. Addressing water use is essential for sustainable production.

Where water is used in textile production:

Raw material cultivation: Cotton growing requires significant irrigation, especially in water-scarce regions. Material choice impacts total water footprint substantially.

Dyeing processes: Traditional dyeing uses large water volumes for dissolving dyes, applying color, and rinsing. Multiple dye baths may be required for certain colors or techniques.

Washing and rinsing: Removing excess chemicals, dyes, and treatments requires substantial water. Finishing processes add to consumption.

Facility operations: Cooling equipment, cleaning machinery, and general facility operations all require water.

Water conservation approaches we’re implementing:

Low-water dyeing techniques: Newer dyeing technologies reduce water usage by 30-50% compared to traditional methods. We’re gradually expanding use of these techniques as equipment investments allow.

Water recycling systems: Treating and reusing water within the facility reduces overall consumption. Our goal is implementing closed-loop systems for major water-intensive processes within the next 2 years.

Efficient washing processes: Optimizing rinse cycles, using countercurrent washing (reusing rinse water sequentially), and improving process efficiency reduces waste.

Material selection: Choosing materials requiring less water in cultivation and processing—like linen, hemp, and recycled content—helps reduce total water footprint.

Honest challenges we’re working through:

Water recycling systems require significant capital investment. Implementation is phased over time as resources allow. Some processes genuinely require substantial water—elimination isn’t always possible, but reduction is. Local water availability varies—practices are adjusted based on regional water stress.

Our water commitment:

We’re working toward 40% reduction in water usage per unit produced within 3 years, with baseline measurement established in 2024. Progress is tracked and reported transparently.

Chemical Management: Using Safer Alternatives

Textile processing involves chemicals. The question isn’t whether to use chemicals, but which ones, in what quantities, and how to manage them responsibly.

Where chemicals are used:

Dyeing: Dyes themselves and various chemicals that help dyes bond to fibers, control pH, and ensure color consistency.

Finishing: Treatments for softness, water resistance, anti-wrinkle properties, or other performance features.

Cleaning: Removing natural oils, impurities, and preparing fabrics for dyeing or printing.

Our chemical management approach:

ZDHC guidelines adherence: We follow Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) guidelines, which identify and restrict harmful chemicals in textile production. This means using safer alternatives whenever possible.

Chemical testing: Products can be tested for restricted substances through OEKO-TEX certification or equivalent, ensuring finished products don’t contain harmful residues above safe limits.

Wastewater treatment: We’re investing in wastewater treatment systems that remove or neutralize chemicals before water is discharged, protecting local waterways and communities.

Low-impact dyes: When color choices allow, we use low-impact dyes that require fewer chemicals to fix and rinse. These work especially well for certain color families.

Supplier screening: Chemical suppliers are evaluated for safety data, environmental impact, and commitment to safer chemistry.

What we’re honest about:

Completely eliminating chemicals isn’t realistic in modern textile production—even natural dyes often require chemical mordants to fix colors. Not all safer alternatives perform identically to traditional chemicals. Sometimes trade-offs exist between environmental goals and product performance. We navigate these thoughtfully, prioritizing health and safety while meeting product requirements.

Natural doesn’t automatically mean safer—some natural substances can be toxic. We evaluate chemicals based on actual safety data, not just whether they’re natural or synthetic.

Energy and Carbon: Reducing Climate Impact

Manufacturing consumes energy, and most energy worldwide still comes from fossil fuels. Addressing energy use and carbon emissions is crucial for climate impact.

Where energy is consumed:

Manufacturing operations: Running machinery, heating water for dyeing, operating cutting and sewing equipment, and powering facilities.

Climate control: Maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity for quality production.

Lighting: Illuminating large production spaces for safe, quality work.

Transportation: Moving raw materials to facilities and finished products to customers contributes significant emissions.

Our energy reduction efforts:

LED lighting conversion: We’ve converted facility lighting to LED, reducing electricity consumption for lighting by approximately 60%. This was one of our first investments because of the straightforward payback.

Energy-efficient machinery: As equipment is replaced or added, we prioritize energy-efficient models. This happens gradually as capital budget allows and equipment reaches replacement cycles.

Solar power exploration: We’re evaluating solar panel installation to generate renewable energy on-site. Our goal is covering 20-30% of electricity needs through solar within 3 years, with initial installation planned for Year 2.

Process optimization: Improving production planning and efficiency reduces energy waste. Better scheduling minimizes machine idle time and maximizes productive output per energy unit consumed.

Shipping optimization: Consolidating shipments, choosing sea freight over air when timelines allow (sea freight produces 90% fewer emissions than air), and planning production timelines to avoid rush shipping all reduce transportation emissions.

Honest limitations and challenges:

Renewable energy infrastructure isn’t equally available everywhere. Connection to renewable power grids and installation of on-site generation requires infrastructure that’s being developed over time.

Switching to renewable energy entirely requires significant investment. We’re phasing this in as resources allow rather than claiming overnight transformation.

Manufacturing inherently consumes energy. While we can reduce consumption and shift to cleaner sources, we can’t eliminate energy use. Honesty means acknowledging that some environmental impact remains while working steadily to reduce it.

Carbon offsetting considerations:

Carbon offsets—paying for emission reductions elsewhere to compensate for your own—are controversial. Done well, they fund real emission reductions or carbon sequestration. Done poorly, they’re greenwashing that allows business-as-usual under a green veneer.

Our approach: Focus first on actually reducing our own emissions through efficiency and renewable energy. Consider high-quality carbon offsets for unavoidable emissions, but only as supplement to real reductions, not substitute.

Waste Reduction: Minimizing What Goes to Landfills

Every textile production process generates waste. Responsible manufacturing minimizes waste generation and finds uses for what’s created.

Types of waste in textile production:

Fabric scraps: Cutting patterns from fabric rolls always creates some scraps. Efficient pattern making minimizes this but can’t eliminate it entirely.

Defective products: Items that don’t meet quality standards must be addressed—historically often landfilled.

Packaging materials: Boxes, polybags, and protective materials used for shipping create waste.

Thread and trim waste: Ends of thread spools, unused trims, and similar small materials accumulate.

Our waste reduction strategies:

Efficient pattern making: Digital pattern making and marker optimization maximize fabric utilization, reducing scrap generation from the start.

Scrap collection and repurposing: Fabric scraps are collected and sorted. Larger pieces are used for smaller products or sold/donated to artisans and craft groups. Smaller scraps are bundled for recycling where facilities exist.

Quality improvement: Better quality control means fewer defective products. When defects occur, we assess whether items can be repaired, sold as seconds, or donated rather than automatically discarded.

Packaging optimization: Right-sized packaging reduces material use. Recyclable packaging materials are preferred when cost-competitive.

Composting natural fibers: Scraps of natural fibers like cotton, linen, and hemp can be composted rather than landfilled, returning nutrients to soil rather than producing landfill methane.

Our waste goal:

We’re working toward 75% waste diversion from landfills within 3 years—meaning 75% of waste is reused, recycled, composted, or repurposed rather than landfilled. Current baseline being established for transparent tracking.

Challenges we’re navigating:

Textile recycling infrastructure is still developing in many regions. Not all materials have readily available recycling options. Finding economically viable uses for all scrap types is an ongoing process—sometimes waste diversion costs more than landfilling, requiring value-based decisions.

Blended fabrics (mixing natural and synthetic fibers) are harder to recycle than single-fiber textiles. We’re working with material scientists and recyclers to address this challenge.

Social Sustainability: Worker Welfare and Community Impact

True sustainability includes people. Environmental practices don’t matter much if workers are exploited or communities are harmed.

Our approach to worker welfare:

Fair wages: We ensure workers receive at minimum living wages (higher than legal minimums in many regions), with regular wage reviews and increases. Manufacturing jobs should provide dignified livelihoods, not just subsistence.

Safe working conditions: Facilities meet safety standards including proper ventilation, lighting, safety equipment, ergonomic workstations, and emergency protocols. Worker safety is non-negotiable.

Reasonable hours: We maintain standard working hours (typically 48 hours/week) with overtime properly compensated and voluntary. Worker well-being matters more than maximizing production at human cost.

No discrimination: Hiring and advancement are based on skills and performance, not gender, religion, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. Our workforce reflects local diversity.

Freedom of association: Workers can organize, raise concerns, and participate in decisions affecting their working conditions without fear of retaliation.

Supporting our team:

Health benefits: Workers receive health coverage for themselves and families, including preventive care and treatment access.

Skill development: Training programs help workers develop skills, advance careers, and increase earning potential over time.

Worker feedback: Regular surveys and open channels allow workers to share concerns, suggestions, and feedback that influences decisions.

Recognition: Quality work and dedication are recognized and rewarded, creating positive work culture.

Community engagement:

Local hiring preference: The majority of our workforce comes from local communities, creating economic opportunity where we operate.

Environmental responsibility: Protecting local water and air quality protects the communities where workers and their families live.

Community support: We participate in local initiatives, support education programs, and contribute to community development beyond just employment.

Transparency and accountability:

We welcome facility visits from clients wanting to see operations firsthand. Third-party social compliance audits verify that practices match commitments. We address issues identified through audits or feedback promptly and transparently.

Certifications: Verification of Sustainability Claims

Certifications provide third-party verification of sustainability practices. They’re not perfect, but they’re valuable tools for accountability and credibility.

Certifications we hold or are pursuing:

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Covers organic fiber content, chemical restrictions, environmental management, and social criteria throughout the supply chain. We offer GOTS-certified organic cotton products.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Tests finished products for harmful substances—over 400 restricted chemicals. Ensures products are safe for human health. We provide OEKO-TEX certified options across product lines.

Fair Trade (in process): Focuses on fair wages, safe conditions, and community development. We’re working toward Fair Trade certification, with target completion within 18 months.

Why certifications matter:

Third-party verification: Claims are verified by independent auditors, not just self-reported.

Systematic standards: Certifications provide clear, comprehensive standards covering multiple aspects of sustainability.

Continuous improvement: Certification requirements drive ongoing improvements and are regularly updated as standards evolve.

Customer confidence: Recognized certifications help customers make informed choices and trust sustainability claims.

Honest perspective on certifications:

Certifications cost money (audit fees, documentation, process changes) and add administrative requirements. They’re investments we make because verification matters, but they do create overhead.

No certification is perfect—they’re frameworks developed by humans and have limitations. They’re tools for improvement, not declarations of perfection.

Pursuing certification is a process taking months or years. We’re honest about where we are in that journey rather than claiming credentials we’re still working toward.

Measuring Progress: Sustainability Metrics We Track

“What gets measured gets improved.” We track specific metrics to understand our impact and measure progress.

Key metrics we monitor:

Water usage per unit produced: Tracking water consumption per product manufactured shows whether efficiency improvements are working. Target: 40% reduction within 3 years from 2024 baseline.

Energy consumption per unit: Measuring kilowatt-hours per product shows energy efficiency trends. Target: 25% reduction within 3 years as renewable energy and efficient equipment are phased in.

Waste diversion rate: Percentage of waste reused, recycled, or repurposed rather than landfilled. Target: 75% diversion within 3 years from current 45%.

Sustainable material usage: Percentage of materials that are organic, recycled, or preferred sustainable options. Current: 35%, Target: 60% within 2 years.

Worker satisfaction: Annual surveys measure worker satisfaction, safety perception, and workplace culture. Target: Maintain 4.0/5.0+ average satisfaction.

Fair wage compliance: 100% of workers receive living wages or higher. This is non-negotiable and monitored continuously.

Carbon footprint per unit: Tracking emissions per product manufactured (including energy and transportation). Target: 30% reduction within 3 years through renewable energy and efficiency.

Why transparency in measurement matters:

Publishing metrics creates accountability. Knowing progress is tracked publicly motivates continued improvement. It allows honest communication about both successes and areas still being addressed.

Baselines and targets must be realistic. Overpromising and underdelivering damages credibility more than admitting reasonable timelines upfront.

What Sustainability Costs (And Why It’s Worth It)

Let’s be direct: sustainable practices often cost more than conventional alternatives. This is worth discussing openly.

Where sustainability adds cost:

Material premiums: Organic cotton costs 5-15% more than conventional. Recycled polyester costs 3-10% more than virgin. Certified sustainable materials command premiums.

Certification fees: Audit costs, documentation, and compliance for certifications like GOTS or Fair Trade range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars annually.

Infrastructure investment: Water recycling systems, solar panels, energy-efficient equipment, and wastewater treatment require significant capital investment.

Fair labor costs: Paying living wages and providing benefits costs more than minimum legal compliance (as it should).

Reduced efficiency: Some sustainable processes take longer or yield less than conventional alternatives, affecting per-unit costs.

Why it’s still the right choice:

Long-term cost reduction: Many sustainability investments pay back over time through reduced resource consumption, lower energy costs, and improved efficiency.

Risk mitigation: Getting ahead of regulations, resource scarcity, and reputation risks reduces future costs and disruption.

Brand value: Genuine sustainability commitment builds customer loyalty, enables premium positioning, and attracts values-aligned customers willing to pay more.

Worker retention: Better working conditions reduce turnover, training costs, and quality issues from inexperienced staff.

Resilience: Sustainable practices build more resilient operations less vulnerable to supply shocks, regulatory changes, or resource constraints.

Values alignment: Beyond pure economics, sustainability aligns with values—many of us believe it’s simply the right thing to do.

Balancing idealism with viability:

Sustainability must be economically viable to be truly sustainable. Businesses that can’t cover costs don’t survive to make long-term impact.

We balance sustainability investments with business health, making improvements at a pace that maintains financial viability while driving meaningful progress. This is honest sustainability—admitting constraints while committing to continuous improvement within them.

Avoiding Greenwashing: How to Communicate Sustainability Honestly

How you talk about sustainability matters as much as what you actually do. Greenwashing damages credibility and undermines genuine efforts across the industry.

Principles for honest sustainability communication:

Be specific, not vague: Instead of “eco-friendly,” say “made with GOTS-certified organic cotton.” Rather than “sustainable,” specify “recycled polyester from post-consumer plastic bottles.” Vague claims invite skepticism; specifics build credibility.

Provide evidence: Back claims with certifications, test results, or third-party verification. Include photos, videos, or documentation of actual practices. Let customers verify claims themselves.

Acknowledge limitations: Every product has environmental impact. Admit trade-offs and areas still being improved. Example: “While our organic cotton reduces pesticide use, we’re actively working to reduce water consumption in dyeing processes.”

Share the journey: Talk about progress and goals, not just current state. Show baseline measurements, current status, and targets. This demonstrates genuine commitment to improvement rather than claiming perfection.

Avoid absolutes: Terms like “100% sustainable,” “zero impact,” or “completely eco-friendly” are almost never accurate. Use “more sustainable,” “reduced impact,” or “working toward” instead.

Focus on meaningful changes: Don’t highlight tiny improvements as major sustainability wins. Be proportional—if 3% of products use recycled materials, don’t lead with sustainability claims.

Use plain language: Explain what certifications mean and why they matter in understandable terms. Don’t hide behind jargon or expect customers to research terminology.

Greenwashing red flags to avoid:

• Hidden trade-offs (emphasizing one green attribute while hiding larger impacts)
• No proof (claims without evidence or certification)
• Vagueness (undefined terms like “natural” or “green”)