APIA leader asks ACCC to hose down green washing

Bernard Cassell, leader of paper – part of everyday campaign to meet with the ACCC in Canberra tomorrow.

Cassell, (pictured) along with spokesperson and consultant, Tim Woods, intend to use the meeting as a chance to enlist the ACCC’s aid in informing businesses that it is illegal to mislead consumers and companies by claiming an environmental benefit to not using print-based communications.

“The industry is hopeful of a positive response from the ACCC, but recognises that its responsibilities mean that it often takes time for action to come from such meetings,” Woods told Print21.

The industry action group has been in contact with the ACCC previously. Two months ago, Cassell penned a letter to chairman, Graeme Samuel expressing “growing concern at the breadth and depth of false and misleading statements made about the sustainability of paper-based communications.”

The ACCC was been asked by APIA to provide a statement, which will make businesses aware of print’s positive uses, and the effects of opting for online-only communication.

“Our expectation is that this is more likely to be effective in providing the Commission with the basis for making a firm and general statement that recognises our sector’s particular circumstances in the context of the Commission’s 2008 publication, Green Marketing and Trade Practices Act,” Cassell wrote.