Recycling, packaging and waste
Fine for greenwashing
Green Ideas editorial team
A $30,000 fine has been slapped on Pacrite Industries Ltd in the Auckland District Court for making untrue green claims about their ‘Greensac’ and ‘The Green One’ rubbish bags.
The bags were marketed as being more environmentally friendly because they broke down in the presence of oxygen. However, a Commerce Commission investigation found that when the bags were disposed of in landfill the lack of air meant they would not degrade, making them effectively the same as conventional plastic rubbish bags.
Commerce Commission head of investigations Ritchie Hutton said the Commission was pleased with the outcome: “New Zealanders care about their environment and will be influenced by marketing claims of environmental benefits. It is important that consumers are able to rely on those claims and are not misled by untrue claims.”
The bags are no longer being manufactured.