Anti-Greenwashing Campaign - Two Sides North America
Source: https://twosidesna.org/anti-greenwash-campaign
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Anti-Greenwashing Campaign - Two Sides North America
Anti-Greenwashing Campaign
The Two Sides Anti-Greenwashing Campaign
Two Sides North America has engaged with nearly 400 companies to change or remove misleading environmental claims used to promote electronic services over paper-based communications. Globally, the Two Sides Anti-greenwashing Campaign has persuaded more than 1,320 companies, government agencies and other organizations to remove statements that are unsubstantiated.
We need your input
If you see a case of Greenwashing please send it along! Click the button below to submit the information, including any photos, scans or screenshots of the misinformation.
Greenwashing Submission Form
What is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as, “Disinformation disseminated by an organization to present an environmentally responsible public image.”
Environmentally conscious consumers rely on messages from corporations, government agencies and other organizations to inform their communication choices. Yet it is not uncommon for these organizations to make unsubstantiated and misleading environmental claims that promote switching from paper to electronic communication as better for the environment, e.g., “go paperless – go green’ and ‘go paperless, save trees.”
In a recent Two Sides survey, 65% of Americans who had seen anti-paper greenwashing claims said they were influenced to switch to paperless communications.
Greenwashing Fact Sheet
What are the rules on environmental claims?
Many go paperless marketing slogans fail to meet the requirements of established environmental marketing standards, such as those of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Competition Bureau of Canada, International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14021), the United National Environment Program and the World Federation of Advertisers. All of these standards disallow the use of broad environmental claims and require that all environmental claims are supported by sound scientific evidence.
Marketers should not make broad, unqualified general environmental benefit claims like ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly.’ Broad claims are difficult to substantiate, if not impossible. It is deceptive to misrepresent, directly or by implication, that a product, package or service offers a general environmental benefit.
-U.S. Federal Trade Commission
What do consumers think about these claims?
From banks to utilities, government agencies to internet-based companies, organizations across North America are increasingly encouraging consumers to go paperless. But switching to digital is not always welcome. Many consumers value paper-based communication.
A survey conducted by Two Sides in 2021 found that 78% of U.S. consumers believe they should have the right to choose how they receive communications (printed or electronically) from their service providers. 67% believe they should not be charged more for choosing paper bills or statements and 41% would consider changing providers if forced to go digital-only.
What to do if you find misleading claims
Two Sides is the only organization that directly challenges major corporations, government agencies and other organizations that mislead consumers by making unsubstantiated environmental claims about the production and use of paper. If you see misleading environmental claims about paper products, please fill out the form below. If you have any questions, contact us at
info@twosidesna.org
Greenwashing Submission Form
Two Sides contacts companies and provides them with the facts about responsible paper production in North America, including:
THE FACT
North American forests are a renewable natural resource
THE FACT
Paper is recycled more than any other materials in North America
THE FACT
Electronic communication also has environmental impacts
At Two Sides North America, we aim to educate all types of consumers on the sustainability of paper, print and paper-based packaging. Through
fact sheets
,
original research
,
and
news
, the organization helps its members incorporate information about the
sustainability of print and paper
into messaging that effectively reaches consumers.
At Two Sides North America, we aim to educate all types of consumers on the sustainability of paper, print and paper-based packaging. Through
fact sheets
,
original research
,
and
news
, the organization helps its members incorporate information about the
sustainability of print and paper
into messaging that effectively reaches consumers.
Keep up to date with the
latest articles
from Two Sides
by subscribing to our blog!
Click here to Subscribe
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Anti-Greenwashing Campaign
The Two Sides Anti-Greenwashing Campaign
Two Sides North America has engaged with nearly 400 companies to change or remove misleading environmental claims used to promote electronic services over paper-based communications. Globally, the Two Sides Anti-greenwashing Campaign has persuaded more than 1,320 companies, government agencies and other organizations to remove statements that are unsubstantiated.
We need your input
If you see a case of Greenwashing please send it along! Click the button below to submit the information, including any photos, scans or screenshots of the misinformation.
Greenwashing Submission Form
What is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as, “Disinformation disseminated by an organization to present an environmentally responsible public image.”
Environmentally conscious consumers rely on messages from corporations, government agencies and other organizations to inform their communication choices. Yet it is not uncommon for these organizations to make unsubstantiated and misleading environmental claims that promote switching from paper to electronic communication as better for the environment, e.g., “go paperless – go green’ and ‘go paperless, save trees.”
In a recent Two Sides survey, 65% of Americans who had seen anti-paper greenwashing claims said they were influenced to switch to paperless communications.
Greenwashing Fact Sheet
What are the rules on environmental claims?
Many go paperless marketing slogans fail to meet the requirements of established environmental marketing standards, such as those of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Competition Bureau of Canada, International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14021), the United National Environment Program and the World Federation of Advertisers. All of these standards disallow the use of broad environmental claims and require that all environmental claims are supported by sound scientific evidence.
Marketers should not make broad, unqualified general environmental benefit claims like ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly.’ Broad claims are difficult to substantiate, if not impossible. It is deceptive to misrepresent, directly or by implication, that a product, package or service offers a general environmental benefit.
-U.S. Federal Trade Commission
What do consumers think about these claims?
From banks to utilities, government agencies to internet-based companies, organizations across North America are increasingly encouraging consumers to go paperless. But switching to digital is not always welcome. Many consumers value paper-based communication.
A survey conducted by Two Sides in 2021 found that 78% of U.S. consumers believe they should have the right to choose how they receive communications (printed or electronically) from their service providers. 67% believe they should not be charged more for choosing paper bills or statements and 41% would consider changing providers if forced to go digital-only.
What to do if you find misleading claims
Two Sides is the only organization that directly challenges major corporations, government agencies and other organizations that mislead consumers by making unsubstantiated environmental claims about the production and use of paper. If you see misleading environmental claims about paper products, please fill out the form below. If you have any questions, contact us at
info@twosidesna.org
Greenwashing Submission Form
Two Sides contacts companies and provides them with the facts about responsible paper production in North America, including:
THE FACT
North American forests are a renewable natural resource
THE FACT
Paper is recycled more than any other materials in North America
THE FACT
Electronic communication also has environmental impacts
At Two Sides North America, we aim to educate all types of consumers on the sustainability of paper, print and paper-based packaging. Through
fact sheets
,
original research
,
and
news
, the organization helps its members incorporate information about the
sustainability of print and paper
into messaging that effectively reaches consumers.
At Two Sides North America, we aim to educate all types of consumers on the sustainability of paper, print and paper-based packaging. Through
fact sheets
,
original research
,
and
news
, the organization helps its members incorporate information about the
sustainability of print and paper
into messaging that effectively reaches consumers.
Keep up to date with the
latest articles
from Two Sides
by subscribing to our blog!
Click here to Subscribe
youtube
Privacy Policy
© Two Sides 2026
Login
Subscribe to our Blog
Please enter your details below to subscribe to our mailing list
SHARE
BECOME A MEMBER
SUBSCRIBE