Now that you've made a resolution to go green in 2009, you're probably ready to shout it from the rooftops. Not so
fast. Event planners and marketers need to be careful in their green marketing efforts in order to avoid
greenwashing, or advertising eco-friendly practices when little green effort is actually being made and the claims are in fact untrue.
Consider the following tips to avoid greenwashing your event:
• Research, research, research. Ask your suppliers and event venues about their green practices. Get specifics. Make sure you understand the meaning behind each of their claims. General terms, for example, such as "natural" does not necessarily mean that a supplier is eco-friendly.
• Take a tour. It's all well and good to have a supplier claim green status, but you can never really know for sure until you see these practices in action. Tour your vendor's kitchen, recycling area, waste room, etc., to see exactly how, and if, green initiatives are being accomplished.
• Get help from third-party certifications. Labels such as Green Seal, Energy Star and LEED can be very helpful in leading you to green-friendly suppliers. Just make sure you understand the criteria for attaining each certification, and to what degree it has in fact been achieved.
• Ask for help.The Federal Trade Commission offers a wealth of information to planners and marketers on avoiding greenwashing. Guidelines can explain green claims and offer suggestions on complying with environmental marketing guides. To view the Green Guides, visit the FTC's website.
Consider the following tips to avoid greenwashing your event:
• Research, research, research. Ask your suppliers and event venues about their green practices. Get specifics. Make sure you understand the meaning behind each of their claims. General terms, for example, such as "natural" does not necessarily mean that a supplier is eco-friendly.
• Take a tour. It's all well and good to have a supplier claim green status, but you can never really know for sure until you see these practices in action. Tour your vendor's kitchen, recycling area, waste room, etc., to see exactly how, and if, green initiatives are being accomplished.
• Get help from third-party certifications. Labels such as Green Seal, Energy Star and LEED can be very helpful in leading you to green-friendly suppliers. Just make sure you understand the criteria for attaining each certification, and to what degree it has in fact been achieved.
• Ask for help.The Federal Trade Commission offers a wealth of information to planners and marketers on avoiding greenwashing. Guidelines can explain green claims and offer suggestions on complying with environmental marketing guides. To view the Green Guides, visit the FTC's website.
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