greenwashing Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Environment + Energy Leader

95% of Consumer Products Mislead Buyers with ‘Green’ Claims

October 26, 2010January 9, 2018 by Gina Roos

More than 95 percent of consumer products claiming to be “green” commit at least one greenwashing offense, according to a report released by TerraChoice, a North American environmental marketing company and part of Underwriters Laboratories’ global network. The worst offenders are toys and baby care products, with 100 percent and ... Read more »

In Sustainable Marketing, Words Matter

September 7, 2010September 13, 2010 by John Rooks

Today, we face a sophisticated language problem – and therefore opportunity – when it comes to green marketing. It seems that the meme of “greenwashing” has subsided a bit. In fact, the “gotcha” green marketing moment in 2009 was not about greenwashing at all. The most exciting moment for authentically ... Read more »

Greenwashing: How to Avoid the Typical Marketing Traps

July 14, 2010October 18, 2016 by Robert Lilienfeld

“Greenwashing” typically refers to marketing and advertising claims that are based on environmental puffery rather than performance. Experience indicates that many claims, even those from sophisticated multinationals, fall under the “greenwashing” banner. While such claims may seem to make sense over the short-term, they create long-term potential for consumer dissatisfaction, ... Read more »

Greener Pastures Ahead? Five Trends You’ll See in 2010

December 21, 2009September 14, 2010 by Suzanne Shelton

Where is green going in 2010? Here are five consumer trends to look for: 1) “Waste not, want not” messaging will gain strength. While “save money” messaging still tests well, one of our recent national surveys found 12 percent of Americans believe “don’t waste” is the strongest message to get ... Read more »

Retailers, Check Your Shorts (or be Bamboozled)

September 6, 2009September 14, 2010 by Kevin Tuerff

Why would the big bad Federal Trade Commission go after a small business rather than a big retailer for violating consumer protection laws prohibiting false green product claims? The FTC recently charged four sellers of clothing and other textile products with “bamboozling” consumers by deceptively labeling and advertising goods as ... Read more »

LEED Takes Hit For Underdelivering on Federal Building

September 3, 2009October 19, 2009 by Paul Nastu

Critics are coming out of the woodwork after the General Services Administration found that the LEED-certified Federal Building in Youngstown, Ohio, was lacking on the energy efficiency front. In fact, the building was unable to attain the Energy Star label, reports the New York Times. The U.S. Green Building Council, ... Read more »

FedEx Office, Office Depot Get Top Grades for Paper Practices

August 27, 2009October 21, 2009 by Gina Roos

Office retail stores FedEx Office and Office Depot earned top grades in the latest Green Grades office supply report card that ranks retailers and wholesalers/distributors on their paper practices. However, wholesaler/distributor companies PaperlinX and Xpedx and retailers Amazon.com and Costco received the worst grades in the report. Conducted by environmental ... Read more »

Airports Consider Energy Efficiency, Solar Power in New Designs

August 27, 2009October 19, 2009 by Gina Roos

Despite a recession that has some airlines cutting services, a few airports including Yellowstone Regional Airport and Denver International Airport are moving ahead with their expansion plans that center around energy efficiency, solar power and sustainability. At the same time, other airlines are being accused of “greenwashing.” As an example ... Read more »

Green Guide Helps Businesses Prevent Greenwashing

August 12, 2009October 19, 2009 by Gina Roos

Firms that want to prevent customers frustration over green claims that can be misconstrued as “greenwashing” should develop a framework that incorporates more effective communication that aligns with the true impacts of their environmental initiatives, according to a new report. BSR has released a guide that it says will help ... Read more »

FTC Charges Clothing Firms With ‘Bamboo-zling’ The Public

August 12, 2009September 30, 2009 by Paul Nastu

Four companies selling clothing marketed as made from bamboo have been charged by the Federal Trade Commission with deceptive advertising and marketing claims. The companies sold rayon clothing and textiles that the FTC said falsely claimed: to use an environmentally friendly process to retain the natural antimicrobial properties of the ... Read more »

Consumers Demand Transparency in Travel-Related Offsets

July 23, 2009July 22, 2009 by Gina Roos

Consumers remain skeptical when it comes to travel-related carbon offsets, according to a new ClimatePath survey of professionals in the ecotourism and sustainable travel industry. The survey reveals that cost is not a primary barrier to consumer purchases of carbon offsets but rather the need for standards, greater transparency, and ... Read more »

FTC on Greenwashing: Is That All There Is?

June 20, 2009September 14, 2010 by Valerie Davis

The Federal Trade Commission in mid-June charged three companies, Kmart Corp., Tender Corp. and Dyna-E International, with making false and unsubstantiated claims that their paper products were “biodegradable.” Kmart and Tender agreed to administrative settlements in the cases against them, while the case against Dyna-E will be litigated. The FTC ... Read more »

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