1. Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off: e.g. "Energy-efficent" electronics that contain hazardous materials. Fifty-seven percent (998 products) of all environmental claims committed this Sin.
2. Sin of No Proof:: e.g. Shampoos claiming to be "certified organic," but with no verifiable certification. 454 products and 26 percent of environmental claims committed this Sin..
3. Sin of Vagueness: e.g. Products claiming to be 100 percent natural when many naturally-occuring substances are hazardous, like arsenic and formaldehyde. Seen in 196 products or 11 percent of environmental claims.
4. Sin of Irrelevance: e.g. Products claiming to be CFC-free, even though CFCs were banned 20 years ago. This Sin was seen in 78 products and 4 percent of environmental claims.
5. Sin of Fibbing: e.g. Products falsely claiming to be certified by an internationally recognized environmental standard like EcoLogo, Energy Star or Green Seal. Found in 10 products or less than 1 percent of environmental claims.
6. Sin of Lesser of Two Evils: e.g. Organic cigarettes or a hybrid-yet-efficient SUV. This occurred in 17 products or 1 percent of environmental claims.