In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission has set guidelines related
to "recyclable" and "recycled," but there is nothing in place that
has any teeth. If product manufacturers want to add some legitimacy
to claims, they can go through a recognized certification
organization. The certification route was being seriously considered
by many manufacturers in the late 80's/early 90's when it looked as
though "green marketing" could have a significant impact as reflected
by public opinion polls. Unfortunately, consumer actions have not
reflected the sentiments expressed in those polls, and manufacturers
know this.
Individual States in the U.S. can add more specifics and teeth. In
California, we had the Truth in Environmental Advertising Law. It
was repealed in a previous legislative session, but it has been
introduced through a bill within the present session.
What concerns me more is the ignorance displayed by Coca-Cola's
Industry and Consumer Affairs rep in her response to Pete Pasterz,
where she talks about Coke's packaging as being recyclable, when
Pete's question specifically dealt with recycled content. One can
only hope that the folks in Coke's Environmental Affairs Department
are not equally ignorant.
Dave Reynolds
Enviro-nomics
-----------------------------------------------------------
Such a claim from Coke (ie. "all of our packaging is recyclable")
would be
in breach of the Trade Practices Act in Australia. Perhaps you could
write
a brief letter and get the equivalent body in the US involved. You
may not
get a quick or favourable response from the bureaucracy ... but the
extra
publicity is worth the small effort, and it gives the issue attention
from
yet another angle.
>Date: Wed, 30 Apr 1997 18:26:51 -0500
>From: Pete Pasterz <Pete.Pasterz@USDWP.MSU.EDU>
>Subject: Coke's response to Web site inquiry
>
>This attached is the (non) response I received when inquiring about
Coke's
>lack >of PETE committment. Maybe others can visit and ask the
same/similar
>questions?
>
>This E-Mail response is being delivered by an automated process
>
>that can not accept a reply to this message. If you wish to
>
>reply to this message, please visit us again on our web site
>
>at http://www.cocacola.com and submit another E-Query.
>
>
>
>Thank you for your comments, your original question/comment was:
>
>
>
>Why have you backed out of your comittment to use 25% post-consumer
>
>recycled ...PETE plastic in your packaging?You are NOT "recycling"
>
>unless you buy and ...use recycled materials.
>
>
>
>Our response is as follows:
>
>
>
>Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company via e-mail. We
>
>appreciate your taking the time to let us know your feelings,
>
>Mr. Pasterz.
>
>
>
>We want to assure you that The Coca-Cola Company is committed to
>
>the environment, and all of our packaging is recyclable. In
>
>addition, we will share your comments and concern with our
>
>Environmental Affairs department.
>
>
>
>If you have additional questions or comments, please visit our
>
>Web site again.
>
>
>
>Jennifer Bernbrock
>
>The Coca-Cola Company
>
>Industry and Consumer Affairs
>