Trade Resources Company News International Printing & Paper Lobby Group Two Sides Has Accused Toshiba of 'greenwashing'

International Printing & Paper Lobby Group Two Sides Has Accused Toshiba of 'greenwashing'

International printing and paper lobby group Two Sides has accused Toshiba of 'greenwashing' following the company's announcement in the US to declare October 23, 2012, as 'National No-Print Day'.

On this day Toshiba proposes to "raise awareness of the impact printing has on our planet" and of "the role of paper in the workplace."

The company is asking people and companies not to print or copy anything that day.

The campaign is backed up by a number of  "contentious and unsourced claims designed to support this ill-conceived initiative", according to a statement from Two Sides.

"Greenwashing is an unfortunate and growing phenomenon as marketing departments jump on the sustainability bandwagon," Two Sides said.

 

Two Sides said there are "many flaws" surrounding Toshiba's campaign including:

 

"Toshiba seems to have ignored the environmental impact of electronic communications.  Just saying you are eliminating print and paper really does not mean you are necessarily helping the planet.  It's a lot more complex than that. If the alternative is, for example, electronic communication, then what is the environmental impact of this? Greenpeace has identified electronic waste as the fastest growing component of the municipal waste stream.

 

"Toshiba has linked paper use to deforestation (or killing trees and destroying forests) when, in fact, responsibly-made paper can be a sustainable way to communicate.  Paper is a highly recycled commodity in Europe, with a recycling rate approaching 70 per cent. Does Toshiba recycle its products so effectively?  We think not.

 

"Paper is based on wood, a natural and renewable material. Electronic equipment, ink and toner cartridges, including those with the Toshiba brand, are made mostly from non-renewable resources and are not so easily recycled. Has Toshiba considered the life cycle of all its own products before professing expertise on others?"

 

Two Sides Australia is an initiative by companies from the graphic communications value chain including forestry, pulp, paper, inks and chemicals, prepress, press, finishing, publishing, printing and distribution.

 

The group's common goal is to promote the responsible production and use of print and paper, and dispel common environmental misconceptions by providing users with verifiable information on why print and paper is an attractive, practical and sustainable communications medium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: http://www.stationerynews.com.au/news/toshiba-under-fire-for-promoting-no-print-day
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Toshiba Under Fire for Promoting No Print Day
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