The Solution – Reveal the phoniness of SFI label

Greenwash harms forests and undermines the hard work of those, including some companies, to protect forests. It’s time to stop the phony SFI eco-label in its tracks. With your support, that’s what ForestEthics is doing. We’re demanding that SFI stop certifying products that come from destructive forest practices and misleading consumers into thinking those products are green.

Big logging companies like Sierra Pacific Industries and huge direct mailers like American Express or Bank of America need to remember that the customer is always right—when the customer wants eco-friendly products, phony versions like the SFI eco-label won’t do.

Expose SFI to federal regulatory bodies, and at its own conferences

The US government needs to protect consumers from misleading marketing claims, like SFI’s greenwash eco-label. In 2009, we filed legal complaints with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to shed light on SFI’s misleading practices. The FTC complaint challenged the SFI’s deceptive marketing, while the IRS complaint questioned the SFI’s nonprofit status.

ForestEthics will file a new complaint with the FTC this spring, but the FTC won’t take action unless it hears from individual consumers. If you care about healthy forests, clean water and thriving communities in North America, please join our petition to the FTC  >>

Educate companies about SFI greenwash

Many companies deceptively market the paper they use as green, using the bogus SFI label. These misleading claims undermine the hard work and smart choices of companies who make genuine efforts to be environmentally responsible. In our Paper Campaign, we are urging companies to avoid greenwash by discontinuing any use of phony eco-labels like the SFI. ForestEthics works with companies to educate them about the risks – to their brands, as well as to our forests, water and communities – of SFI’s greenwash.