Two Sides, the global initiative to promote the sustainability of print and paper, has reported a 61% success rate in removing misleading environmental claims made by some of the world’s largest corporations as they seek to replace paper-based communications with lower-cost electronic alternatives. Two Sides’ research into more than 600 of the world’s leading corporations – including banks, utilities, telecoms and insurance providers – has shown that a total of 460 of those companies have been using misleading and unsubstantiated environmental statements, despite specific advertising legislation to protect consumers in many countries. To date, 278 of those companies have removed such statements as a result of ongoing engagement by Two Sides. “We’re really pleased that Two Sides is having such a significant effect on some of the world’s largest and most influential organizations,” said Martyn Eustace, Chairman of Two Sides UK. ” But there’s no room for complacency, and there is still a great deal of work to do with the remaining companies that continue to mislead their customers.” Internationally, Two Sides teams are continuing to tackle Greenwash in their respective countries, and this has yielded positive results, the organization added.
Phil Riebel, President of Two Sides North America, added: “Over 88 major corporations, including many Fortune 500 companies, have now changed or removed misleading environmental claims about print and paper to comply with country-specific environmental marketing guidelines. Our discussions with Chief Marketing Officers, Chief Sustainability Officers and others, have been very productive and we’re pleased with the collaboration of North America’s leading organizations. Thanks to an overall better understanding of the unique sustainable features of paper products, “Go Green – Go Paperless” and “Save a Tree” claims are gradually disappearing from the marketplace.”
Want to get involved? Need more information? You can contact Two Sides at:
- North America: pnr@twosides.info
- Europe: mje@twosides.info
- South Africa: dj@za.twosides.info
- Australia: kellie@twosides.org.au
- Brazil: fam@twosides.org.br
- Colombia: icr@co.twosides.info
