The Big Story Can you shop ethically without breaking the bank?
Dec 5, 2025
Dr. Jing Wong, a professor at the University of Guelph specializing in ethical and sustainable consumption, delves into the complexities of shopping ethically. She highlights the misleading nature of ethical labels and the risks of greenwashing, advising consumers to carefully research products. Wong discusses the nuances of Canadian production labels and the reality that higher prices don’t always equal ethical practices. The conversation underscores a growing consumer awareness and the challenges inherent in establishing a global standard for ethical labeling.
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Ethical Labels Are Broad And Relative
- Ethical labels cover many things like fair wages, cruelty-free production, and sustainable processes.
- Jing Wong stresses ethicality is relative and consumers must pick which attributes matter to them.
No Regulation Means Greenwashing Risk
- "Sustainable" and "ethical" are not regulated terms in many markets.
- Jing Wong warns companies can exploit this gap with greenwashing to appear more ethical than they are.
Research Claims Or Consume Less
- If you care about ethical labels, do the extra research on claims instead of trusting symbols like a maple leaf.
- Or reduce consumption: ask yourself if you truly need the product or that quantity.