Some of the world’s biggest corporate names continue to flout rules to gull consumers with deceptive claims that they should ditch paper for electronic communications, experts warn.

Two Sides, which has launched a new global drive, insists many “go green - go paperless” environmental claims are downright “misleading”.

“New research reveals major global corporations are still flouting regulations put in place to protect consumers from misleading marketing claims,” said the lobby group’s chairman Martyn Eustace.

“Major global corporations are still using inaccurate and misleading environmental claims to encourage consumers to go paperless and switch from paper-based to digital communication.

“This is despite legislation being introduced by the advertising standards authorities to protect the consumer from being misled. That marketers in some of the most high-profile corporations in the world still use unsubstantiated and misleading        environmental claims to persuade consumers to switch is outrageous,” said Eustace.

“Many consumers still have a strong preference for paper but they are being manipulated by a lack of clear and accurate information.

“Paper, based on a natural, renewable and recyclable resource, should be considered as a highly sustainable way to communicate.”

Eustace warned his group was “going on the offensive” to educate by working with companies in Europe and abroad who either “reneged” on pledges to stop using misleading environmental claims or were again making environment claims without verifiable evidence.

Eustace added: “The majority of these claims are unsubstantiated and the term paperless is also disingenuous as many consumers resort to home printing to ensure a permanent hard copy.