In the business sector, there is often a conflict between the interests of business organizations in maximizing profits and the public’s interest in receiving complete, truthful, and non-misleading information about products that they purchase. A related area of concern is when products are heavily promoted as being environmentally friendly. This practice is known as “greenwashing.”
Your discussion should address the following questions:
- Identify what legal issues are involved in using greenwashing tactics to market products. Explain how this practice is regulated.
- Discuss from a business perspective, if the legal marketing of products as being “green” or “friendly to the environment” is an ethical practice. If so, what ethical theory would justify this type of marketing?
- If you were a marketing executive, would you support the practice of greenwashing? Explain why or why not.
