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« Charities Under Investigation | Home | Making Tax Time Less Tedious »
Looking for a “Green” Business?
By Misty | January 24, 2008
According to a recent survey by AARP, “socially conscious” shopping goals drive 54% of older Americans. More than 40 million baby boomers say they are more likely to purchase environmentally-friendly products and use services from companies that are socially responsible.
Many products advertised as “green” or “organic” can sway purchasing decisions, and companies can position themselves as socially conscious to attract customers. But what does it mean to be “green”? What should consumers look for in advertising to identify a socially conscious business or product?
The BBB offers the following advice for investigating “green” claims in advertising and marketing:
Check for concrete claims. An honest advertiser will not make vague statements such as “environmentally friendly” or “sustainable” without providing solid examples to back up the claim. Watch for fuzzy claims that cannot provide substantiation.
Examine the evidence. Being a green company isn’t just about putting a recycling bin by the copier. “Green” businesses also need to be able to explain how they’re making the world a better place. Check to see if the company has facts and statistics about their socially conscious work, such as how many hours their employees have volunteered for a cause. Who benefits from the firm’s charity and how?
Look for a stamp of approval. While there is no universal “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” for green claims, there are independent third-party organizations that will certify environmentally-friendly statements such as EcoLogo or Green Seal. The recent BBB/Gallup Trust in Business Index found that less than half of American consumers (49 percent) say they have a great deal (12 percent) or quite a lot (37 percent) of trust in businesses that they regularly deal with. Checking out a business’s certification can help you determine whether a business’s claims are trustworthy.
For more reliable advice on best business practices and advertising guidelines for your business, as well as other ways to make your business more socially conscious, go to www.bbb.org.
June 6th, 2008 at 9:53 am
[…] “Looking for a ‘Green’ Business?” […]
June 6th, 2008 at 9:53 am
[…] “Looking for a ‘Green’ Business?” […]
June 6th, 2008 at 9:53 am
[…] “Looking for a ‘Green’ Business?” […]
August 18th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
All Things Eco Blog Carnival Volume Thirteen
Welcome to the August 18th, 2008 edition of All Things Eco.
Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let’s promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.
Elisa presents Eco-bags : High-Fashi…