Regulations and Laws for Green, Environmental and Socially Responsible Marketing: April 2008 Archives
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is circulating environmental tips to all of its employees including such common step things as turning off unnecessary lights, using your own reusable containers for drinks, groceries and meals and avoiding travel to meetings when other forms of communication will do the job. Reduction. Recycling. Reuse, and even using less air conditioning are covered. See the list: (http://greening.usda.gov/simple_things.htm),
This message is part of a program, called Greening USDA. Its purpose is laudable but – in a department that funds clear-cuts of forests and industrial agricultural practices leading to growing desertification, not to mention promoting pesticide use, genetically-modified crops and mega-factory farms – the focus on the “small stuff” like re-using your lunch bag obscures employee involvement in the department’s big issues.
The USDA Green Team Updates by month are an interesting list of initiatives.
Their "Environmental Programs" section on their website include categories of articles for:
- Energy & Environment
- Hazardous Materials
- Radiation Safety
- Sustainable Operations
You might consider an "internal" and "supply chain" section on your own website to cover topics such as this to focus attention on your sustainable business initiatives. Spreading the word that you have a policy about more sustainable practices can be a powerful motivator and set the tone for purchasing, waste management and even cost reductions.
The announcement comes a week after the release of a report from TerraChoice Environmental Marketing showing that the vast majority of green marketing claims are inaccurate or inappropriate.
The firm researched more than 1,000 consumer products with environmental claims and found that all but one violated at least one of the report's "Six Sins of Greenwashing."
The Federal Trade Commission is requesting comments on the Green Guides in regard to their costs, benefits, and effectiveness.Current FTC Regulations for Environmental Claims
Issued in 1992, the FTC Guidelines for Environmental Marketing Claims or "Green Guides" do not constitute a labeling system as such, but they are designed to have an effect on labeling. The guidelines are intended to prevent false or misleading use of advertising claims such as "environmentally friendly," "degradable," and "recyclable." Confusion over the meaning of such terms affected not only consumers but also companies, who were concerned about lawsuits over their environmental claims.
The Guides outlined four general principles for environmental claims:
- qualifications and disclosures should be sufficiently clear and conspicuous to prevent deception;
- claims should make clear whether they apply to the product, packaging, or just a component of either;
- claims should not overstate environmental benefits; and
- comparative claims should be presented in such a way that the basis for comparison is clear.
The guides also addressed claims concerning
- environmental friendliness
- degradability
- compostability
- recyclability
- recycled content
- source reduction
- refillability, and
- ozone friendliness
