Sorting Out ‘Green’ Advertising Claims

GreenSponsible CONGRATULATIONS

Thanks to the FTC for putting together this document!

Grocery shelves, hardware stores, card shops, and other retail operations are filled with products and packages announcing environmental features that may influence your purchasing decisions. But when it comes to products and packaging, what do claims like “environmentally safe,” “recyclable,” “degradable” or “ozone friendly” really mean? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) want you to know.

The FTC, in cooperation with the EPA, has developed guidelines for advertisers to ensure that their environmental marketing claims don’t mislead consumers. Here are six tips to help you sort through environmental claims.

When you evaluate environmental claims in advertising and on product labels, look for specific information. Determine whether the claims apply to the product, the packaging, or both. For example, if a label says “recycled,” check how much of the product or package is recycled. The fact is that unless the product or package contains 100 percent recycled materials, the label must tell you how much is recycled.

Increasingly, labels on “recycled” products tell where the recycled material comes from. “Post-consumer” material comes from previously used business or consumer products, such as newspapers, shipping cartons, plastic bottles, glass containers, and aluminum cans. “Pre-consumer” material is basically manufacturing waste. For example, an envelope manufacturer might recycle the clippings left over when envelopes are cut from paper. These clippings could be made into other paper products instead of being thrown away.

“Recycled” products are made from items recovered or separated from the “waste stream” that are melted down or ground up into raw materials and then used to make new products. Or they may be products that are used, rebuilt, reconditioned, or remanufactured. If a product is labeled “recycled” because it contains used, rebuilt, reconditioned, or remanufactured parts, the label must say so — unless it’s obvious to the consumer.

For example, a used auto parts store may sell used automobile parts that have been salvaged from other cars and label them “recycled” without any other description because it’s plain that they are used parts. But an office copier that is labeled “recycled” because it was rebuilt, reconditioned or remanufactured — and then labeled recycled — must state that the recycled content came from rebuilt, reconditioned or remanufactured parts. That’s because it may not be obvious that it contains used parts.

Some products and packages state that they use less material than former or competing products or packaging. To be meaningful, such claims should say exactly what’s been reduced, by how much, and compared to what. For example, a claim like “20 percent less waste than our previous package” gives you more information than “20 percent less waste.”

Certain products may claim to be “non- toxic,” “essentially non-toxic,” or “practically non-toxic.” To make those claims, a manufacturer must have reason to believe that the products won’t pose any significant risk to people or the environment.

Vague or general claims may sound warm and fuzzy, but generally offer little information of value. Claims that a product or service is “environmentally friendly,” “environmentally safe,” “environmentally preferable,” or “eco-safe” or labels that contain environmental seals — say, a picture of the globe with the words “Earth Smart” around it — are unhelpful for two reasons: First, all products, packaging and services have some environmental impact, although some may have less than others. Second, these phrases alone do not provide the specific information you need to compare products, packaging, or services on their environmental merits. Look for claims that give some substance to the claim — the additional information that explains why the product is environmentally friendly or has earned a special seal.

Recyclable claims on labels and advertising mean that the manufacturer or seller of the products has proof that the products can be collected and used again, or made into useful products. Some companies simply may say “Please Recycle” on their products. Such claims will be relevant to you only if these products are collected for recycling in your community, either through curbside pickup programs or drop-off programs. Contact your local recycling or solid waste officials for this information.

Some businesses recycle products for you. You may see a product labeled or advertised as “recyclable” and the business allows you to either return the used product to where it was purchased or send the used product to the manufacturer in a prepaid mailer. For example, some manufacturers of toner cartridges for computer printers allow consumers to return their empty cartridges to the dealer or mail them back to the manufacturer for reuse. Many grocery stores take back their plastic grocery bags. Check to be sure that the recycling program accepts the exact kind of product or package you want to recycle before you place it in the bin.

Some products claim to be “degradable.” “Biodegradable” materials, like food and leaves, break down and decompose into elements found in nature when they are exposed to air, moisture, and bacteria or other organisms. “Photodegradable” materials, usually plastics, disintegrate into smaller pieces when exposed to enough sunlight.

Either way, however, degradation of any material occurs very slowly in landfills, where most garbage is taken. This is because the law requires that modern landfills be designed to keep sunlight, air and moisture out of the landfill. This helps prevent pollutants from the garbage from entering the air and drinking water, but also slows decomposition. Even materials like paper and food may take decades to decompose in a landfill.

Cleaning products, like detergents and shampoos, often display “biodegradable” claims. Most of these products have always degraded in wastewater systems, causing no harm to the environment.

In contrast to landfills, “composting” takes advantage of degradability. Composting turns degradable materials into useable compost — humus-like material that enriches the soil and returns nutrients to the earth. Some people compost yard trimmings and food scraps in their backyards. Many communities collect leaves, grass, and other yard trimmings for composting. When you see a “compostable” claim on a product or package, it means the manufacturer should have made sure the material can be safely composted in home compost piles. If you want to compost a product in a community facility, check to be sure that your community facility accepts the material for composting.

Some products may claim that they are “CFC-free” or “ozone-friendly.” But all ozone is not alike. The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere is necessary to prevent the sun’s harmful radiation from reaching the earth. But when ozone develops at ground level, it forms smog, which can cause some people to have serious breathing problems. If a company claims that its products are “ozone friendly” or “ozone safe,” it should have reason to believe that the products do not harm the atmosphere — either the upper ozone layer or the air at the ground level.

Chlorofluorocarbons — CFCs — are chemical substances that can deplete the earth’s protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. In 1978, CFCs were banned for use as propellants in nearly all consumer aerosol products. They are gradually being phased out in all products and manufacturing processes.

If a product doesn’t contain any CFCs, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe for the entire atmosphere. Substances called volatile organic compounds — VOCs — also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. Alcohols, butane, propane and isobutane are common VOCs. How common are these VOCs? Emissions from cars and factories are the major source of VOC releases to the environment, but household cleaning products, floor polishes, charcoal lighter fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and hair styling spray, gel or mousse, whether in aerosol cans or spray pumps, also may contain these substances and contribute to smog problems.

Certain symbols placed on consumer products tell you whether a product or package is recyclable (depending on your community program) or that the product or package is made from recycled materials.

Symbol with chasing arrows

Many products display this “universal” recycling symbol, often called the three-chasing-arrows symbol. Some companies use it to mean that the product or package is made of recycled materials; others use it to mean that the product or package is recyclable. Since some communities don’t accept for recycling every product or package that bears the symbol, it’s a good idea to check with your local recycling or solid waste officials if you are unsure about appropriate disposal.

SPI Symbol

Manufacturers use this symbol, a code developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry, to indicate the type of plastic from which a particular product is made. SPI code numbers range from 1 to 7. Bottles or jugs labeled with numbers 1 and 2, such as soda bottles, detergent, shampoo, and milk jugs, are the most likely to be accepted for recycling. One caveat: Not all communities collect and recycle containers with the same codes, so it’s a good idea to check with your recycling and solid waste officials for information on the codes that are accepted for recycling in your area.

The FTC issued the Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (”Green Guides”) to prevent the false or misleading use of environmental terms in product advertising and marketing and reduce consumer confusion. For a copy of the Green Guides contact: FTC Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580; 202-FTC-HELP (382-4357); 1-866-653-4261 (TDD for the hearing impaired).

For more information from the EPA, visit www.epa.gov or contact: U.S. EPA Pollution Prevention Information Clearing House, 401 M Street, SW (7409), Washington, DC 20460; 202-260-1023.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

FTC is absolutely showing to be True GREENSPONSBLE !

True Green

True Green – Florida Based Company show what GreenSponible is all about!

GreenSponsible Endorses Truegreen Online as a GREEN HERO!

Please read the TrueGreen Mission Statement below to see why Truegreen and its Founders are Greensponsible Green Heroes!

True Green Mission Statement

To offer recycled environmentally safe and holistic solutions to a much wider market by making them available with competitive pricing compared to non-recycled products.

Our aim is to create a site which offers a truth and learning center for you to discover recycled product content in an easy to understand forum. We also search out Earth Friendly and People Friendly products. These products are tested through a focus group and if they pass they are added to our product line.

We have an exclusive on our treeless paper products, biodegradable trash bags, and laundry washing ball. Our patented laundry ball is scientifically designed to clean clothes without harmful detergents.

A percentage of all sales are donated to earth friendly and people friendly charities.

True Green was formed to provide recycled solutions to the Government Servicing Agencies, Schools, Business sectors and consumers by supplying affordable, earth-friendly products in an effort to participate in meeting the constant demand for Eco-saving goods. This demand is the result of the general outcry and legal efforts to curtail continued damage to the environment. True Green spends each day researching, compiling and gaining access to only the best products available today.

Our expertise gained from our research as well as our partners, allows us the flexibility and comfort to offer a complete line of Green products providing peace of mind to the buyer.

True Green is able to differentiate itself as a Recycled-Content Provider by not only offering exceptional certified products, but also by offering products which have been endorsed by independent agencies that prove “chain of custody” responsibility for all of our strategic partners.

The use of the term “Green” has gained Universal attention. We became frustrated with the shroud of smoke and mirrors which seems to surround all of the “recycled”, earth-friendly products as well as the sometimes misleading information attached to these products. We felt the only solution was to provide an honorable point of commerce where the products and brands were obtainable from the best sources and the best available. We are dedicated to creating a future for our children by sustaining our earth’s precious resources one step at a time.

Planetization is a world order whose priorities are contemplation, consciousness and ecological balance.

We are in the midst of a new world paradigm. The world is changing from civilization to planetization. Civilization focuses on material production and consumption.

Ecomania – South Florida Indie Music Festival

Ecomania – Presented by Truegreen!

Truegreen Presents Ecomania 09:

South Florida’s

First Annual Independent Rock Festival

Ecomania is an Independent Rock Festival Intended to Bring

Awareness to All Environmental Causes and Give Local

Bands a Chance to be Seen

Deerfield Beach, Fla. – July 08, 2009 – Truegreen Enterprises is sponsoring Ecomania 09: South Florida’s First Annual Independent Rock Festival, which is intended to raise awareness to the importance of taking care of the earth, while at the same time giving local bands the opportunity to reach a large audience.

Ecomania 09 is scheduled to take place from 12 noon ? 10:00pm on August 22, 2009, at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater 12551 Glades Rd., Boca Raton Fl, 33498. The ten to twelve live bands performing at Ecomania 09 include all types of Rock genres, such as Jazz, Folk, Ska, Metal and cover bands, with local favorites “Seasons Lost” and “Ghost of Gloria” headlining the show. Tickets for Ecomania 09 are $15 each, with 10% going to the Deerfield Beach Clean-up charity.

“Ecomania is all about raising awareness for all environmental causes, and to show our children that taking care of the earth is extremely important,” said Jason Mink, owner of Live Life Entertainment, founder of Ecomania, and seasoned veteran of the music industry, whose motto is “If you’re going to live, live green.” “It’s great to be able to work with a company that truly cares for the causes that their products endorse,” Mr. Mink says of Ecomania’s sponsor, Truegreen, who he believes shares his same “green” sentiments. “Not everyone has to drive a Prius to make the earth a better place to live, but if each person makes a small effort in their everyday life, there is a lot that can be achieved.”

Truegreen is equally as excited to be a part of Ecomania. “By sponsoring and presenting earth friendly events such as eco-mania as well as local bands, Truegreen is able to offer an organic approach to education of what really is “Truegreen”. We offer an easy, affordable way for people to make subtle changes in their lives that include trash bags and treeless paper that don’t cost anymore than what they are currently buying; it’s that easy!” says Terry Lehman, President and Founder of Truegreen Enterprises.

In the future, Truegreen and Live Life Entertainment hope to make Ecomania an annual event that is completely eco-friendly, leaving no negative marks on the environment or possibly even turn it into a large scale tour, where bands could travel to major cities, promoting environmental causes and encouraging local music scene to get started.

For more information on Truegreen and their eco-friendly products, visit www.truegreen2.com

Talking Points

• Truegreen is sponsoring Ecomania 09: South Florida’s First Annual Independent Rock Festival.
• Ecomania 09 is scheduled to take place from Noon to 10:00pm on August 22, 2009, at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater 12551 Glades Rd., Boca Raton Fl, 33498. Tickets are $15.
• Headline Bands- “Seasons Lost” and “Ghost of Gloria.”
• Ecomania is an Independent Rock Festival intended to bring awareness to all environmental causes and give local bands a chance to be seen.
• Truegreen hopes to make Ecomania an eco-friendly, annual event or a multi-city tour promoting environmental responsibility and the growth of local music scenes.

About Truegreen

Truegreen Enterprises, Inc., headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Fla., is a leading provider of affordable, recycled and environmentally-safe paper, cleaning, household and beauty products. Truegreen products offer retailers, agencies, schools, businesses and homes affordable, earth friendly solutions that exceed today’s standards for green products.

TerryLehman

Born out of founder Terry Lehman’s frustration at misleading “green” labeling, the woman-owned company’s foundation lies with its commitment to provide honest, eco-saving products at a competitive price. Truegreen has dedicated itself to thorough research and testing to ensure that all products and packaging far surpass environmentally friendly standards. The company also has an unwavering devotion in guaranteeing that those products are offered at a price point that makes it easier for customers to live a healthy lifestyle. For more information on Truegreen, visit www.truegreenoline.com.