Claims to Environmental Friendliness

Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, review The Federal Trade Commission video and

Federal Trade CommissionLinks to an external site.

website. Also review Chapter 5 of the textbook and other resources on “greenwashing”. This include article on A guide to greenwashing and how to spot, The FTC is expected to crack down on “greenwashing”, and Green GuidesLinks to an external site. webpage.

BUS670: Week 6 The Federal Trade Commission TranscriptDownload BUS670: Week 6 The Federal Trade Commission Transcript

In the business sector, there is often a conflict between the interests of business organizations in maximizing profits and the public’s interest in receiving complete, truthful, and non-misleading information about products that they purchase. A related area of concern is when products are heavily promoted as being environmentally friendly. This practice is known as “greenwashing.”

Your discussion should address the following questions:

• Identify what legal issues are involved in using greenwashing tactics to market products. Explain how this practice is regulated.
• Discuss from a business perspective, if the legal marketing of products as being “green” or “friendly to the environment” is an ethical practice. If so, what ethical theory would justify this type of marketing?
• If you were a marketing executive, would you support the practice of greenwashing? Explain why or why not.