Two Sides Reports Interim Success in Anti-Greenwash Campaign

 

Two Sides, U.K., has been actively challenging organizations that use greenwash to mislead consumers regarding the environmental benefits of alternative media. They have done this by requesting that organizations carefully consider their messages and the potentially misleading anti-print and paper statements that are being made such as "go paper-free and do your bit for the environment" or "e-billing is more environmentally friendly than the traditional paper bill." 

It is important, when organizations promote products and services, that they do not damage the print and paper industry and jeopardize the livelihood of the many thousands of people employed therein with possibly misleading statements. Two Sides has been reacting to misleading statements whenever they arise and engaging with major corporations and organizations. Two months into the campaign and Two Sides reports very encouraging results. Of 25 organizations identified and challenged in a campaign that started at the end of May, 21 have responded favorably and removed the misleading claims. 

More information about the companies that Two Sides has engaged is available online.

According to the PEFC (watch video) who has engaged in life cycle analysis, depending on where your power comes from, it is factually incorrect that e-communication is more environmentally friendly than print. It is increasingly clear that electronic communication, and in particular the energy requirements of the increasing worldwide network of servers, which are necessary to store all of the information needed for immediate access, has a significant and increasing carbon footprint. Electronic communication and document storage must be recognized as delivering efficiency but not necessarily greater sustainability. In the U.K., it has been suggested that PC’s and servers may consume up to 50% of the country’s energy requirements in the next 10 years.

Two Sides believes, considering all of the environmental costs of electronic communication, print and paper may well be the environmentally sustainable way to communicate.