Have you noticed this shift that businesses have been doing the past year or so? Well, a few years ago, businesses were loud about it. Everybody had a pledge, a badge, a landing page, and a big statement about saving the planet, then a lot of that energy cooled off. Like, it became “less trendy” if you want to call it that. Well, basically, some companies got quieter because they didn’t want to be accused of greenwashing. Sure, they want to grow their online presence, hence all the PR oriented articles about their grand initiative, but there was no real proof.
On top of that, though, some got quieter because they realised they didn’t actually have much to say. Some got quieter because, yeah, sure, it’s easier to stop talking than it is to keep improving. There are plenty of brands like this; most of the luxury fashion brands are especially guilty of this, like Chanel. But with all of that said here, there’s a difference between being careful and being vague. Now, you better believe that customers can tell the difference.
And honestly, being vague is starting to feel like a red flag. Well, it’s been a red flag, but it’s even bigger now.
Being Quiet isn’t Automatically “Humble”
Yeah, it’s as plain and as simple as this, honestly. But sure, this is where it gets a little spicy, at the same time, though, because some brands act like silence is this noble move now. Like, “oh, it’s better not talk about it,” and sure, sometimes that’s true if a business is still figuring things out and doesn’t want to overpromise.
But if a business is selling itself as sustainable, and there’s no details anywhere, that’s not humility, that’s just confusing. Think about it here; customers don’t want a scavenger hunt. They don’t want to dig through five pages, a PDF, and a vague Instagram caption just to find out if a company’s claims are real. Oh, and of course, some companies don’t even provide a scavenger hunt; they’ll say they’re active, but there’s literally no proof in any of it.
Now, it makes absolute total sense, though that customers have gotten more sceptical for a reason. Like too many businesses used sustainability as a marketing costume. So now, when a company is vague, people don’t assume it’s being responsible; they assume it’s hiding something. That’s the reality.
It’s Better to be Transparent than Perfectly Sustainable
Well, sure, you should still try and do what you can to be sustainable here, but don’t think it has to be perfection or anything like that. Actually, a lot of small businesses freeze up because they think they need to be perfect before saying anything. Like, if the business can’t claim zero waste or carbon neutral or whatever the big claim is, then it can’t talk about sustainability at all.
But is that all true? Nope, no, not at all. It also sets up a weird dynamic where only huge corporations with big budgets get to “talk sustainability,” while smaller businesses that are actually trying to stay silent. But transparency can be simple. It can be, here’s what’s being done now, here’s what’s still being improved, and here’s what customers can expect.
That kind of honesty is trustworthy because it’s normal. It sounds like a human business, not a marketing machine.
It Wouldn’t Hurt to Audit Competitors
And what exactly would be the reason to do this, though? Just think about it; if competitors are vague, that’s an opportunity. If competitors are making big claims without proof, that’s an opportunity. If competitors have confusing policies or unclear pricing, that’s an opportunity too. Some businesses even use industry tools to see how others communicate offers and policies, especially in operational niches.
Like, a company in the waste space might look at a waste hauler competitor app to understand how other operators present service options and customer communication, then use that insight to create a clearer, more transparent experience. It just helps to spot the gaps they have, so you can fill the gaps for your business.
Customers aren’t Just Buying a Product
And of course, This is what a lot of businesses forget. But sustainability messaging isn’t only about the planet. But it’s also about competence. When a company clearly explains what it does and why, it feels organised. It feels accountable. Well, overall here, it feels like it has standards.
And of course, that matters because customers are constantly making quick trust decisions. Is this business legit? Is it consistent? Is it going to follow through? Is it going to surprise someone with hidden fees, messy policies, or vague claims? Lots of questions here, but the transparency is supposed to answer all of those questions; everything is supposed to be clear right from the get-go. Again, there shouldn’t be some scavenger hunt going on.
It’s Easier to Compete without Racing to the Bottom
Competing was already mentioned, well, in terms of audits and finding gaps, but that’s not the other thing to keep in mind here, though. So, pricing competition is exhausting. You probably already know that here. But competing on “cheapest” usually turns into lower margins, rushed work, and customers who treat the business like it’s interchangeable. Now, clearly, that’s not a sustainable business model, and yeah, that word is doing double duty there.
But go ahead and think about this: transparency gives a business another lane to compete in. It gives a business a way to justify pricing, explain value, and build loyalty with customers who care about responsible practices. And even customers who don’t care deeply about sustainability still like the idea of less waste, fewer problems, and a business that’s honest.
Again, as was mentioned, it helps when competitors are vague. If other businesses are hard to compare because they hide details, then a transparent business stands out. It feels easier to choose. Usually, customers can see what they’re paying for. And again, they don’t like scavenger hunts, and it’s pretty easy to fill in the gaps with how your competitors are messing up.
