An eco-expert is hitting out at the practice of greenwashing.

Environmental Choice general manager Francesca Lipscombe says too many companies are trying to promote their products as environmentally friendly, when they simply aren't.

She told Mike Hosking the problem appears to be getting worse.

"A really common one that we're seeing at the moment is the claim of all natural ingredients and of course arsenic and formaldehyde are natural ingredients so it's not necessarily something to boast about."

She said consumers need to be wary of bogus claims and misleading packaging.

"Greenwashing could be as simple as picture of a dolphin or a leaf on the label of a product, which implies certain environmental credentials."

LISTEN ABOVE AS FRANCESCA LIPSCOMBE SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING