This study seeks to identify whether or not there has been an increase in greenwashing within advertising for the household cleaning product industry, particularly since environmental messages and knowledge about climate change have become more widespread in recent years. In order to measure the change in greenwashing within advertising, advertisements will be collected from a five year period. First, the difference in “green” imagery and words between the five year period will be analyzed in advertisements for these types of products. Next, the study will examine whether or not a trend of greenwashing extends to commercials. The study will examine the claims that the commercials make regarding how environmentally friendly the products are and compare these claims to the product’s actual function as it relates to the environment.
