InfoAnda - Beware the great 'greenwashing' con, experts warn

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

46 shoppers hurt in Hong Kong acid attack: report | 14 December 2008
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary | 29 August 2009
Michael Jackson's wife sues over custody reports | Entertainment | | 17 July 2009

Zimbabwe sparks accident scare with airport drill | 5 August 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Beware the great 'greenwashing' con, experts warn

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Asia Pacific World Beware the great 'greenwashing' con, experts warn AFP - Saturday, December 5 Send IM Story Print A pile of computer waste displayed by Greenpeace at a trade fair in Germany. Worldwide, there are few legal requirements companies must live up to when marketing environmentally friendly products. As increasingly eco-conscious consumers are faced with more and more choices, experts warn that green marketing could be leading them astray. WASHINGTON (AFP) - – Eco-conscious customers who flock to one Washington store say they have chosen the environmentally friendly living shop because they know they are in little danger of being "greenwashed." "I can give you a ton of words that mean absolutely, positively nothing," said Daniel Velez, owner of Greater Goods, where the shelves are stocked only after careful, painstaking research. "The word natural. The word earth-friendly. It means nothing since it's not legally defined. Biodegradable, except in California, doesn't actually carry any weight of law." Around the world, there are few legal requirements companies must adhere to when marketing products as green or sustainable. As increasingly eco-conscious consumers are faced with more and more choices, experts warn that marketing strategies dubbed "greenwashing" could be leading them astray. "Today it suffices to just slap some green paint on a product to call it green," Bernard Caron, director of marketing for the Belgian company Ecover, told AFP. Ecover, a long-time international leader in ecologically safe cleaning products, has rejected the European Commission's "Ecolabel" as the standards set by the voluntary environmental certification were not high enough. Offering green options can be a lucrative endeavor. According to a 2008 study by GfK Roper Consulting and Yale University, half of respondents reported they would definitely or probably pay 15 percent more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or cars. "Many American consumers, even in the face of economic uncertainty, express a willingness to pay more for environmentally friendly products," said Anthony Leiserowitz, director of Yale Project on Climate Change, in a statement. Independent voluntary labels are increasingly filling the void left by a lack of enforceable government regulations on green marketing, said David Wigder, vice president of RecycleBank, an international rewards program that encourages green living. But consumers often do not understand the implications of the certifications that do exist, he said. "It's hard to describe green versus greener behavior," Wigder told AFP, explaining that many labels only apply to a certain step in the lifecycle of a product. For example, the US Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star efficiency rating for household appliances does not take into account the environmental impacts of manufacturing or disposal of an appliance. Often companies make environmental claims without providing any publicly available proof, which makes navigating the growing assortment of "green" options tricky, said Scott Case, vice president of Terra Choice. Terra Choice, an environmental marketing firm, has identified "The Seven Sins of Greenwashing" in a report that cautions against marketing tactics that leverage consumers' desire to factor the environment into their shopping choices. "Earth friendly garbage bags!" Case exclaimed on a recent tour of a Washington supermarket. "The bag itself might be recyclable, but once you fill it with garbage, garbage trucks haul it away to a landfill and incinerate it. This stuff's not ever going to get recycled." In the toilet tissue aisle, Case reached for Scott Naturals toilet paper, saying there was no third party verification to back up a claim that the product was made from at least 40 percent recycled materials. The nationally distributed household paper products manufacturer began selling its eco-option almost a year ago, and told AFP that recycling standards are strictly monitored internally. Developing a line of Scott products sporting the slogan "Green Done Right" was "an opportunity for the brand to expand in the marketplace," said brand manager Aric Melzl. According to Joey Mooring, a spokesperson for parent-company Kimberly Clark, the manufacturer also takes various behind-the-scenes measures such as using post-consumer recycled plastic in its packaging. Experts say every single purchase has hidden environmental costs, whether it be in the ingredients, manufacturing, or disposal of the product. The best thing consumers can do is read the fine print, and try to decipher the specifics behind a product's "green" label. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Saturday, December 5 "Anvil" rocks film documentary awards Reuters - Saturday, December 5 Tom Brokaw unhurt in NY highway wreck that kills 1 AP - Saturday, December 5 Singer Blige feels "Stronger" with each challenge Reuters - Saturday, December 5 NYC Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex to close Reuters - Saturday, December 5 News Search Top Stories Saudi investors shrug off Dubai debt crisis OPEC should maintain output: Arab oil ministers US jobs picture improves, unemployment dips to 10 percent Polanski to move to Swiss chalet under house arrest White House accused of 'stonewalling' gatecrash probe More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Woods in marriage therapy after admitting 'sins' Bernanke admits mistakes, urges Fed independence White House accused of 'stonewalling' gatecrash probe OPEC should maintain output: Arab oil ministers US jobs picture improves, unemployment dips to 10 percent More Most Viewed » Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 5 December 2009
US allies offer 7,000 troops for Afghan surge
Turncoat Mafia hitman alleges Berlusconi mob links
Reuters launches website overhaul
Iranian group: health care blocked at Iraq camp
US-TECH Summary
UN 'to probe alleged climate change cover-up'
Iraqis defy bomb threat to attend movie nights
Kate Beckinsale Gets Glam And Vamp In New Vodka Campaign Shots
"Friends" Named The Decade's Most Watched Show On TV
Plagiarism Suit Against "Breaking Dawn" Author Stephenie Meyer Dismissed
There's something in the air: augmented reality
George Clooney's "Up In The Air" Wins NBR Best Film
Egypt Nile ferries collide, 80 believed missing |
Sudanese who deny Darfur crimes may be charged: ICC |
Iraqi counterterror chief falls to his prey
Jay-Z And Alicia Keys Spend Another Week At #1 With "Empire State Of Mind"
Two Rwandan peacekeepers killed in Darfur: U.N. |
CIA can expand using drones in Pakistan: report
Ronnie Wood Arrested On Suspicion Of Assaulting Girlfriend
Israeli stalling blocks Shalit deal: Hamas
Roman Polanski To Move To House Arrest After Posting $4.5 Million Bail
Beyonce, Taylor Swift Lead Grammy Nods List
There's something in the air: augmented reality |
Senior Kashmir separatist wounded: Indian police
France offers to sell artillery, tanks to India
Canada PM speaks out on rights in China
Gunmen wound Kashmir separatist who favored talks
US, Russia uphold 'spirit' of expiring nuclear pact
3 injured in false fire alarm at Indonesia airport
Italian jurors consider verdicts in sex murder trial
Campaign manager for ex-Conn. rep accused of theft
US Marines launch large offensive
Woman Tackled, Trampled By Deer Stampede
Suicide attackers kill 35 at Pakistan mosque
Polanski takes refuge in Swiss chalet
US Marines launch large offensive in Afghanistan
Police search for man linked to 4 Wis. slayings
AP NewsAlert
Michael Jackson Tops Most Searched Term On Internet
Va. Tech report details new fumbles in shooting
Myanmar court agrees to hear Suu Kyi's appeal
Federal Agents Step Up Manhunt For Thanksgiving Day Murderer
Homeowner Association Threatens WWII Vet With Legal Action Over Flagpole
Moderates seek greater health care cost controls
Gibbs: Obama encouraged by new employment report
Washington Presses Iran About Former FBI Agent Missing Since 2007
Burglary Suspect: 'I Didn't Know They Were Dead'
NY terminals evacuated when wired box found on jet
Jurors Hear Confession Tape In Wimberly Trial; Defense Says Tape Proves Insanity Plea
South Carolina Impeachment Panel Dismisses 28 Of 37 Ethics Charges Against Gov. Sanford
Senate Official: Tiger Has The Answers
Third Person Charged With Assisting Clemmons In Eluding Police
NYC Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex to close |
Sony, Disney executives top Hollywood power list |
Edgar Allen Poe book from 1827 sells for $662,500 |
Pakistan stocks end down after attack; rupee eases
Friendlier Obama tune on Cuba brings musical detente |
'Tis the season for nightmarish traffic in Lebanon
Roman Polanski released to house arrest in Swiss chalet
Russian classic inspires Indian star to pen script
Strike keeps French museums shut, Louvre reopens
Twisted Sister guitarist recovers from surgery
Film star Richard Todd dies at 90
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annex in NYC closing
Secret of Stradivarius violin varnish picked apart
Fla. judge wants footage in 'Girls Gone Wild' suit
Chinese Premier Scolds Canadian Prime Minister For Taking Too Long To Visit Beijing
Woman Tackled, Trampled By Deer Stampede
English Teen Has 'Super' Long Name
Two Rwandan peacekeepers killed in Darfur ambush
Firework blaze in Russian club kills at least 101 |
OPEC should maintain output: Arab oil ministers
102 dead in Russian restaurant fire
NATO allies offer 7,000 extra troops for Afghan war |
Dozens of militants attack Pakistan army checkpoint |
Egypt Nile ferries collide, 80 believed missing
Apple acquires music service Lala
, Microsoft ink Web search agreement
76 dead in Russian cafe blast: report
US lauds wealth of Afghanistan troop pledges
Hospitalized Thai King makes rare public appearance |
Turncoat Mafia hitman alleges Berlusconi mob links
US jobs picture improves, unemployment dips to 10 percent
Ecosia search engine fights climate change
Twelve die in drug war shootouts in Mexico |
Iran rejects IAEA transparency demand on atom sites
Microsoft search engine Bing suffers brief outage
Iraqi counterterror chief falls to his prey
Taiwan's China-friendly party on test in local poll |
Colombia says Venezuela destroys bridge, holds soldier |
Philippines imposes martial law in massacre province |
Sony, Disney executives top Hollywood power list
Apple mute on Lala plans |
George Washington letter sells for record $3.2M
Obama boosts climate talks with change of plans
Thai king leaves hospital for birthday celebrations
Congress Gets Push To Resist Pressure To Weaken Investor Protection Reforms
Transcript shows man claiming to be spy helped FBI
China swine flu death toll reaches 200
Lawyer: Blagojevich will testify at his own trial
4 US teens held for attempted murder in Japan: police
Man who left water for immigrants faces prison
Indonesia police probe deadly karaoke club fire
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 852
Hospitalised Thai King makes rare public appearance
Kremlin agrees with US to maintain expiring pact
Japan chooses new envoy to Taiwan: lawmaker
Another arrest in Washington police shooting case
Rice an unlikely global warming culprit
Ind. parents grieve slain son, as teen son charged
Philippines imposes martial law in massacre province
North Korea talks seen unlikely to end arms stalemate
Dozens of militants attack Pakistan army checkpoint
GM, Chinese partner join forces in India
OECD urges India to loosen foreign investment curbs
Rolling Stone magazine to launch restaurant, lounge
Spielberg drops 'Harvey' remake
Rich nations must show sensitivity on climate: World Bank
Japan plans huge stimulus package next week
Malaysia's exports rise 1.6% in October: ministry
Vietnam donors up aid pledge by 33 percent: government
Fans kept guessing about Jackson 4 reunion |
Anvil rocks film documentary awards |
Invictus achieves its goal without digging deep |
Could London lose 'libel capital of the world' crown?
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Kylie Minogue to release New York live set |
"Anvil" rocks film documentary awards
Elvis Costello enjoys TV role as carnival barker |
20 killed in Indonesian amusement center fire
Police quiz suspects in fatal Indonesian bar fire
Tom Brokaw unhurt in NY highway wreck that kills 1
Singer Blige feels "Stronger" with each challenge
Singer Blige feels Stronger with each challenge |
NYC Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex to close
Kylie Minogue to release New York live set
Washington letter, Poe book set auction records
New Caribbean art showcased during Art Basel fair
Elvis Costello enjoys TV role as "carnival barker"
Google buys online collaboration startup
Saudi investors shrug off Dubai debt crisis
Guinea on edge after attack on junta leader |
About a dozen missing after Egypt ferries collide |
Iran says needs 20 nuclear sites: report |
Anti-China opposition gains ground in Taiwan local election |
Turkish commanders in court to testify in plot probe |
Nothing will fill hole in our lives, say Kerchers |
Accidental blast kills 3 in NW Pakistan
1 more body found after Bangladesh boat capsizes
Obama: efforts aimed at economy's long-term health
The nation's weather
Lawmakers get little reaction to Obama's war plan
Protests in Kashmir over separatist shooting
Little resistance in new US-Afghan offensive
Asian nations confident despite tough World Cup draw
Indonesian police arrest alleged kangaroo smuggler
LA Episcopal diocese may elect first gay bishop
Japan fans expect tough fight after World Cup draw
1 killed, 2 injured in Texas refinery accident
Ex-UN weapons inspector condemns Blair, Bush on Iraq
AP NewsAlert
Maldives gets 92.5 million dollar bailout from IMF
Indian court deals blow to Anil Ambani gas project
NKorea orders soldiers to shoot defectors: report
Pakistani c.bank buys 147.8 bln rupees of govt paper
Beware the great 'greenwashing' con, experts warn
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01