Misinformation in Mailings and Annual Reports

Two Sides’ efforts to combat misleading claims related to print and paper has resulted in over 400 companies worldwide, including 118 in North America, removing unsubstantiated ‘green’ claims in their marketing materials.

Despite our repeated efforts to contact TIAA and BlackRock, they continue to ignore consumer preferences and fact-based research to make unsupported environmental claims in their literature and mailings.

Common consumer misconceptions about print and paper are reinforced by service providers as they increasingly encourage their customers to switch to electronic bills, statements, and correspondence to reduce costs. The incentive to switch is often based on unfounded environmental claims such as ‘Go Green – Go Paperless’ and ‘Choose e-billing and help save a tree.’

Not only are these claims misleading, but the drive to digital is not without environmental impacts and not welcomed by many consumers. If TIAA and BlackRock are serious about their environmental and sustainability efforts, they need to review the U.S. FTC Green Guides which gives marketers a thorough overview of how to preserve their company’s public image when it comes to avoiding “greenwashing” claims and meet the requirements to be “truthful, clear and substantiated.”

Two Sides continues to provide fact-based information about paper and printing to encourage companies like TIAA and BlackRock to send the right message about sustainability. If you are a TIAA or BlackRock customer, please consider sending them a letter to encourage them to join the hundreds of other companies who have changed their message about paper and printing.
more detail at: https://twosidesna.org/US/tiaa-and-blackrock-ishares-continue-to-tout-unsubstantiated-green-marketing-claims/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TSNA%20Blog%20TIAA%20and%20Blackrock%20Claims&utm_content=TSNA%20Blog%20TIAA%20and%20Blackrock%20Claims+CID_1bef6544aa7ca01a315c5c938366d9b9&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Read%20more