FTC Adds Restrictions to Improve Accountability over Green Certification Standards-


Informed consumers have begun to advance toward healthier, more conscious decisions concerning what products they use, wear, and eat. However, many people probably aren’t aware that there is little to no supervision over the integrity of these company labels. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began the original Guides for Use of Environmental Marketing Claims in the 90’s and, in light of these labeling issues, is presently revising the guide to put a halt on product marketing deception and create more stringent accountability. According to the latest survey released by the Boston Consulting Group, around 17 percent of U.S. consumers are willing to pay top value for green products – a 10 percent rise since last fall. Several of these labels, however, are printed and endorsed by companies who are supplying extremely deceptive information.

For example, textile manufacturers have been mislabeling rayon as bamboo, since a insubstantial quantity of bamboo was used in the creation process. The FTC states that “rayon is a man-made fiber created from the cellulose found in plants and trees and processed with harsh chemicals that release hazardous air pollution. Any plant or tree – including bamboo – could be used as the cellulose source, but the fiber that is created is rayon.” The FTC has already notified 78 various retailers, such as Macy’s, Amazon and Walmart, that they must retract their false labeling of “bamboo” in their products. The FTC guide restrictions will effect more than just companies that mislabel rayon, it could terminate roughly 300 environmental “seals of approval” now in use. With the new potential restrictions, companies who display seals of approval must provide in-depth information verifying such claims. Third party approvals must also support that the certifying party is independent from the advertiser and must possess expertise in the field of certification. These regulations will strengthen criterion for packaging claims such as “recyclable” and “biodegradable”, and will help to confront the problem of company “greenwashing”. The FTC plans to finish the adjustments by the end of summer 2010.

The 2nd annual Go Green Expo in L.A. kicked off January 22-24th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and featured over 300 exhibitors from all around the world looking to market their pioneering green products and services to environmentally responsible shoppers. In addition, attendees had the pleasure of listening to keynote speakers, such as Ed Begley, Jr. and Mariel Hemingway, give their advice on the easiest, most affordable ways that the everyday consumer can go green. Due to increasing water shortage and contamination issues in America and throughout the world, water filtration and conservation were a major feature at this year’s exposition. Green Energy News, video below, had the pleasure of dropping by to help spread the cause.

Green Energy News to Provide HD Event Coverage at the GO GREEN Expo-

The nation’s premier green business and sustainability show is once again heading for the Los Angeles Convention Center January 22-24, 2010. For the second year in a row, the Go Green Expo is kicking off their nationwide tour in Los Angeles, CA. Earlier this year, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa announced that one of his major goals was transforming the City of Angels into “the greenest big city in America.” With over 10,000 people in attendance at last years show, attendance is expected to swell in 2010 as more and more people focus on environmental responsibility and eco-friendly products and services.


Go Green Expo is open to the public to explore the latest innovations in energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly products and services and participate in interactive seminars featuring leaders in the green industry, politicians and community organizations. Joining the lineup this year are keynote speeches by actress and holistic living author Mariel Hemingway, award-winning actor and director Ed Begley Jr., industry adored eco futurist John Picard, son of famed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi, Jr., eco-fashion icon Linda Loudermilk eco-mom Mayim Bialik formerly of “Blossom” and Sarah Backhouse, host of The Planet 100 on Discovery’s Planet Green.

Attendees will also be pleased to know that Pet Expo USA, the nation’s green pet show, will be sharing space with the Go Green Expo this year. Attendees can peruse eco-friendly pet products from toys to food and bedding to accessories, learn about new pet services and enjoy pet training demonstrations.


Green Energy News is pleased to announce their coverage of the Los Angeles Go Green Expo in high definition. Green Energy News film crew will be at the show conducting video interviews with vendors and attendees, previewing new technology and products, and promoting their new high definition video production services. Full coverage of the show will be available in the coming weeks, streaming in high definition at www.renewable-energy-news.info. Twitter users can enjoy realtime coverage of the LA Go Green Expo by following Green Energy News on Twitter: @GreenEnergyNews.

WHERE AND WHEN:

Business-to-Business Expo
Friday, January 22, 2010 | 10am – 5pm
Tickets are complimentary to Trade Professionals and Corporate Buyers (please bring business card for admission)

Open to Public:
Saturday, January 23, 2010 | 10am – 6pm
Sunday, January 24, 2010 | 10am – 5pm

Adults – Weekend pass for Saturday & Sunday – $10
Children under the age of 12 – Free
Senior citizens (65+) – $5
Students – Please bring Valid Student ID for $5 admission

Los Angeles Convention Center – South Hall J
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.lacclink.com

100 Percent Recyclable, Eco-Friendly Clothing Hanger Doubles as Marketing Tool-

Based out of Canada, E-Hanger In-Home Media is revolutionizing direct marketing by offering environmentally friendly clothing hangers on which consumers may place business advertisements. The eco-friendly advertising hanger is manufactured using post-consumer waste board and is printed with eco vegetable based inks. The sturdy, environmentally-sound quality of the E-Hanger has given the product a name for itself in an industry of major players – and is an exceptional substitute for non-recyclable wire hangers, which are haphazardly tossed into landfills by the tons. In light of the significant impact the product has on abating wire hanger waste, the E-Hanger holds to potential to ease the ecological footprint of many companies that work with clothing on a continual basis. Subsequently, E-Hanger will not only provide an ecologically-sound marketing promotion for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact, but will also offer new green jobs in the field for sales professionals, public relation officers, as well as web and graphic designers. For green advertising and other company information, visit E-Hanger In-Home Media.

WePOWER’s Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines Offer Clean Energy & Windvertising™ Options-

Working along the progressive tide of renewable energy applications – WePOWER – a leading global manufacturer of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT), has devised a compact commercial-scale wind turbine which truly offers low maintenance, high-yield wind energy that can surpass any major player in the industry. The company’s comprehensive VAWT product lineup has exceeded the demanding specifications of the California Energy Commission, achieving the CEC’s approval to be placed on the List of Eligible Small Wind Turbines. “This certification assures consumers that WePOWER’s equipment has been thoroughly tested for safety and performance and meet the requirements of the CEC and California Public Utility Commission (CPUC),” said Howard Makler, WePOWER’s Executive Vice President. The recognition has enabled the company to qualify for rebate payments, as well as immediate acknowledgement by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) as being a “commercially proven equipment provider.” WePOWER’s VAWT line undoubtedly distinguishes itself from the rest, presenting the most diverse products in the small wind industry, including the Falcon – available in 1.2kW, 3.4kW, 5.5kW and 12kW generating models. The company is also working to implement its revolutionary Windvertising™ branded media platform to enable the placement of advertising on WePOWER’s PacWind turbines (video below). The initiative would generate clean energy to power corresponding advertising billboards, as well as offer commercial practicability for businesses looking to neutralize their carbon footprint while promoting their trade. “Windvertising™ will transform the outdoor advertising industry and help corporations achieve their carbon-neutral goals,” said Marvin Winkler, CEO of WePOWER. “For the first time, outdoor advertising will help to save the planet by reducing carbon emissions and will save money for businesses through tax incentives, energy rebates and carbon credits. It is truly a win-win situation for consumers and corporations.” Advertising on a moving wind turbine may seem alien to most, but the process is rather simple; each of the proprietary air foil blades will reflect an image, and as the turbine blades spin on their vertical axis, the images will come to “life” and appear as if they are moving. “I always tell people to think of Windvertising™ as a flipbook that you played with as a child,” stated Marvin Winkler. “You simply apply a specific image on each turbine blade, the turbines spin and you get this amazing, moving advertisement – that also makes clean electricity to provide power to a traditional advertising billboard!” Click below to view a short video of WePOWER’s PacWind turbine at work in New York’s Times Square.