As hot topics go, green issues are red hot (if that’s not mixing my colour pallet too much). And this applies just as much to the promotional market as any other industry. My favourite eco-friendly buzz word is “greenwash” and refers to all those half-truths, misconceptions, and outright lies that surround the selling and marketing of so called green products.

For consumers and professional buyers alike, the whole area is a minefield, and to help us all out, environmental marketing company TerraChoice published the six sins of greenwashing. So helpful, in fact, I thought I’d share them with you all;

SIN OF THE HIDDEN TRADE-OFF : for example energy efficient electronics that contain hazardous materials.

SIN OF NO PROOF : self explanatory - buying a eco-freindly corporate gift? Ask for the proof.

SIN OF VAGUENESS : 100% natural promotional item, but naturally occurring substances can be hazardous like arsenic or formaldehyde. is

SIN OF IRRELEVANCE : marketing a promotional product as RoHS compliant when it is actually law that it is so.

SIN OF FIBBING : lots of examples but an obvious one is falsely claiming a business gift is cer tified by a recognised body.

SIN OF LESSER OF TWO EVILS : my favourite - eg organic cigarettes, a hybrid SUV, or dare I say it, an eco-friendly disposable promotional giveaway.

My (often irrelevant) opinion is that a truly eco-friendly or green corporate gift is an unattainable holy grail. Certainly true if you consider every aspect of the product and supply chain. Buy responsibly by all means, but corporate buyers should also be realistic about what’s possible and reasonable.

At the Corporate Gifts Company we’ll be delighted to offer you truthful and realistic advice on sourcing your promotional products responsibly - just call our sales team.

Thanks to TerraChoice for the Six Sins of Greenwashing.