07/15/2026
When sustainability claims are too broad or undefined, customers are left to fill in the blanks. Does “sustainable” refer to materials, emissions, labour practices, packaging, product lifespan, certifications, charitable giving, or all of the above? Does “ethical” mean a company has reviewed its supply chain, uses recycled materials, supports local production, protects workers, or simply has good intentions?
Sustainability language is everywhere. Words like “ethical,” “sustainable,” “recycled,” “responsibly sourced,” and “carbon neutral” are used across jewellery, fashion, beauty, packaging, travel, and almost every consumer category. These words can be meaningful. They can also be c...