Greenbuild booth swag, part 2

This may not count as booth swag either; it's just a paper handout from the EcoLogo people called The Six Sins of Greenwashing. I can't find it online (not this version, anyway), so I'm going to type it in arduously by hand... I think it's worth the effort.

Sin of the Hidden Trade-OffFocusing consumer attention on a single environmental attribute such as recycled content while ignoring additional important environmental issues such as toxics content or the impacts of the manufacturing process. Example: Paper products focusing only on recycled content and ignoring the significant impacts of the paper bleaching and manufacturing process. Sin of No ProofBeing unable or unwilling to provide proof of an environmental claim. Example: Manufacturers being unable or unwilling to provide proof of post-consumer recycled content or claims that their products do not contain any hazardous materials. Sin of VaguenessMaking broad, poorly defined environmental claims that are essentially meaningless. Example: Products claiming to be "chemical free" but even water is a chemical. Or products claiming to be 100% natural when lots of naturally occurring substances are hazardous (e.g., arsenic, formaldehyde, and hemlock). Sin of IrrelevanceMaking an accurate statement that is unimportant and unhelpful for consumers seeking more environmentally responsible products. Example: Products claiming to be CFC-free even though CFCs were banned 20 years ago, or biodegradable garbage bags even though it would take thousands or years for them to degrade in a modern landfill. Sin of FibbingMaking a blatantly false or misleading claim. Example: Products falsely claiming to be EcoLogo certified or to meet the Energy Star standard. Sin of Lesser of Two EvilsClaiming environmental benefits for products that are actually harmful or that pose significant environmental challenges. Example: Organic cigarettes.

The list appears to be based on this more thorough one—but that's OK: the author, Scot Case, works for the organization that manages the EcoLogo program.