Scrub Daddy makes ‘insane’ claim about being ‘recyclable’

A famous cleaning product has infuriated consumers with a claim that has been described as “the most deceptive greenwashing ever”.

Cult cleaning brand Scrub Daddy has been hit with accusations it is deceiving customers by boasting its products are recyclable but sending them across the world to be turned into fuel.

Shark Tank’s greatest-ever success story has denied claims it is “greenwashing customers” after it faced heat this week from Australians — who caught wind of the company’s new move to frame itself as environmentally conscious.

On the packaging of both the Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy products the claim, “I’m recyclable!” is made, but further investigation reveals a surprising truth.

After scanning a QR code displayed on the pack – or filling out an online form – Australian customers are given instructions on how they can mail their used sponges to an address in NSW.

Bundles of used products then are sent to Scrub Daddy headquarters in the United States before being sent to an industrial facility that breaks them down, burns them and turns them into fuel.

Burning plastic, according to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, releases toxic pollution into the atmosphere as well as greenhouse gases.

Scrub Daddy’s ‘recyclable’ claim has been questioned. Picture: Facebook

The environmental drawbacks of burning the used products on top of the enormous emissions from transporting them from Australian households to the processing facility has called into question the company’s true environmental stance.

Its packaging claim has been described by one furious consumer as “the most deceptive greenwash marketing I have EVER seen”.

“This happy smiling sponge has ‘I’m recyclable’ on top of the box. And their website says they can ‘fulfil an afterlife of environmental greatness … in an industrial recycling facility’,” she said.

“I personally would not call a three stage journey to the other side of the world, to be incinerated, ‘environmental greatness’.”

A Scrub Daddy spokesperson dismissed claims the company was guilty of greenwashing.

“Like many products used by Australians daily, Scrub Daddy has unfortunately been destined for the bin or landfill once he’s reached the end of his life. That was until Scrub Daddy Headquarters in the USA introduced the concept of Shredded Heat, otherwise known as Alternative Engineered Fuel,” the spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Here in Australia, we arrange to have all returned Scrub Daddy sponges bundled up and sent back to Scrub Daddy HQ to participate in this initiative. Scrub Daddy (sponges) are then sent to an Industrial Recycling Facility where they are sorted and shredded alongside other non-hazardous secondary materials.”

ACCC investigates greenwashing

They claimed old sponges were a “low emission” way to fuel cemet kilns.

The Scrub Daddy issue came to light after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission earlier this month published a report revealing more than half of the businesses it reviewed made concerning claims about their environmental or sustainability practices.

Of the 247 businesses reviewed by the ACCC during its sweep, 57 per cent were identified as having made problematic claims about their environmental credentials.

The cosmetic, clothing and footwear, and food and drink sectors were found to have the highest proportion of concerning claims among the industries targeted in the operation.

“Our sweep indicates a significant proportion of businesses are making vague or unclear environmental claims. This warrants further scrutiny,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

Aaron Krause, inventor and CEO of Scrub Daddy. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian

“Consumers are now, more than ever, making purchasing decisions on environmental grounds. Unfortunately, it appears that rather than making legitimate changes to their practices and procedures, some businesses are relying on false or misleading claims. This conduct harms not only consumers, but also those businesses taking genuine steps to implement more sustainable practices.”

Many businesses were making bold environmental claims and not providing any resources to back them up, Ms Lowe said

“Businesses using broad claims like ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘green’, or ‘sustainable’ are obliged to back up these claims through reliable scientific reports, transparent supply chain information, reputable third-party certification or other forms of evidence.”

“Where we have concerns, we will be asking businesses to substantiate their claims.

Businesses to expect call from ACCC

The ACCC was investigating several companies for alleged “greenwashing” including across the packaging, consumer goods, food manufacturing and medical devices sectors, with it likely even more would be busted.

“We will take enforcement action where it is appropriate to do so as it is critical that consumer trust in green claims is not undermined,” Ms Lowe said.

Businesses needed to urgently address the integrity of their environmental claims, Ms Lowe added.

“We want to see businesses taking steps to ensure that environmental claims are accurate as well as meaningful for consumers. Our sweep has shown that claims are most useful where they are relevant, clear, reliable and transparent.”

The ACCC would be engaging directly with businesses and industry bodies to shut down brazen greenwashing.

Ms Lowe also encouraged businesses to self-confess to greenwashing and advise the ACCC of where things had gone wrong.

Those businesses, she said, would be “considered more favourably than those who wait for the ACCC to unearth these problems”.

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