TRENDING ISSUE IN FOCUS

Innovations in Sustainable Packaging

News & Views

Greenwashing

Report Finds Peers, Consumer Reviews Now as Trusted as Certifications for Sustainability Claims

A recent study by BBMG, GlobeScan and SustainAbility claims social sources such as consumer reviews, blogs and message boards as well as friends, family and co-workers now rival traditional sources such as certifications and media reports as consumers’ most trusted sources for determining whether a product is socially and environmentally responsible.

Communicating Sustainability at Maersk Line: Striking a Balance Between Silence and Greenwashing

Maersk Line has traditionally not been known for its sustainability efforts. Why? Well, because the company used to have a habit of hardly communicating anything externally. Previously, there had been little perceived need for communicating — and this combined with a strong value around humbleness kept the company quiet.

Communicating Sustainability: It’s Time To Get Emotional

Starting this month, Sustainable Brands will bring you a treasure trove of insight, examples and opinions on communicating sustainability, all to help you persuade, motivate, nudge and inspire people and brands to do things differently. That’s a very important goal; once impetus is established people can achieve great things.

Marketing “Sustainability”: Don't Forget the Green Guides

In October 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its revised “Green Guides,” which are designed to help marketers ensure that the claims they make about environmental attributes of their products are truthful.

Communicating Sustainability: How Do We Go From Talking to the Wall to Preaching to the Choir?

Calling all innovators and creatives! During April 2013, Sustainable Brands will be publishing a new “Issues in Focus” editorial package highlighting the most effective and engaging examples of sustainability communications.

Bamboozled: Four Key Takeaways from the FTC's Recent Crackdown

January 3 was a big news day: The Federal Trade Commission’s announcement on Google’s competitive practices completely drowned out news of its $1.26M false-labeling settlements with Amazon, Macy’s, Max Studio and Sears/Kmart. That’s unfortunate because there are four important takeaways from these cases:

1: Take FTC warnings seriously

Perception Versus Reality in Sustainability Performance

A new study casts doubt on the notion that corporations will improve their reputations by becoming more sustainable.

Demystifying Biobased Products Key to Marketing Success

A version of this post first appeared in Bioplastics Magazine, May/June 2012.

The Science of Sustainability: Innovations, Market Drivers and Consumer Perceptions

According to the latest UL Terrachoice review of more than 5200 products that make some sort of green or sustainability claim, 95% commit one of their Seven Sins of Greenwashing.

Branding Sustainability: A Whole New Ball Game

I cut my advertising teeth in a world where massive campaigns were created to trumpet innovations that were usually incremental or insignificant. While it was terrific fun for me as a creative director, I believe in hindsight our clients would’ve been better served diverting ad funds into R&D.

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Call for Content!

Our editorial Issue in Focus for June will examine how brands are activating sustainability. We invite you to share stories of how your organization is driving behavior change to encourage more sustainable consumption. Check out our call for content and find out about partnership opportunities!