Respond to misleading statements

Responding to misleading information and statements is important. Very often, in order to promote a cost saving initiative, organisations, particularly public utilities, will state that receiving information by non paper means is more environmentally friendly. This is often either incorrect or not backed by any evidence.

The following letters have been written to various organisations and you are welcome to download the letter template for your own use.

Standard Life wrote to their customers in August advising them to 'Go Paperless' and, in the process,
become 'environmentally friendly'. Two Sides wrote, settting out some facts about print and paper, and requesting that Standard Life review their messaging.

Oce announced in August that they has joined the Paperless Project Coalition which seeks to promote the use of electronic storage and communication as a 'Green' opportunity for business. Two Sides wrote and presented some facts and information; requesting that Oce reconsider their membership of this organisation of used their influence to ensure that messages were factual.

International Hotels are encouraging the members of their Priority Club to help the environment with the phrase: 'Save Paper = More Points = Better Planet'.. Two Sides wrote and presented some facts and information; requesting that IHG reconsider this statement and visit the Two Sides website to get the true facts

Encouraging customers to get their bills online and also stating that this is better for the environment is increasingly being questioned. In the past two months, faced with being reported to the Advertising Standards Association, (ASA), several very large nationally known UK organisations have stopped similar messages, having accepted they were being made without adequate research, contravening CSR Europe and CAP (Code of Advertising Practice) guidelines.

If you come accross misinformation like this, use the template to create your own response but using the Two Sides facts