OfficeMax today introduced
its paper procurement policy, enhancing the company's current environmental
policy by setting direct product expectations and business relationship
expectations for paper product suppliers. The OfficeMax paper procurement
policy defines performance criteria for its product suppliers in the
selection of raw materials and production of paper products and will guide
the company's actions in support of its commitment to environmental
sustainability. OfficeMax developed the policy through a consultative
process that included viewpoints from OfficeMax associates, customers,
suppliers and environmental organizations who share our interests in the
environmental impacts of paper production.
"We are proud of the progress we made in creating this paper
procurement policy," said Ryan Vero, executive vice president and chief
merchandising officer for OfficeMax. "The inclusion of outside parties
brought diverse viewpoints and perspectives that ultimately delivered a
balanced and realistic policy that achieved our common goals."
Among the policy's stated expectations for product suppliers are the
tracking of raw materials used in the making of paper products, elimination
of products from endangered areas and discontinuation of converting natural
forests to industrial tree plantations.
Through its paper procurement policy, OfficeMax commits to creating
systems to ensure our suppliers are meeting stated expectations. "This
paper procurement policy provides meaningful incentive for our suppliers of
paper products to carefully consider environmental sensitivities. We will
continue to work with these stakeholders to implement our commitments and
achieve our important goals," said Vero.
OfficeMax has notified its suppliers about areas of concern to two
environmental groups; the Cumberland Plateau, specifically identified by
Dogwood Alliance, and First Nations' concerns about the impact of fiber
originating from Canadian forests, an issue specifically identified by
ForestEthics. OfficeMax will continue to urge its suppliers to resolve
these matters through their supply chains.
Ongoing progress achieved through the active implementation of the
OfficeMax environmental policy and paper procurement policy will be
presented in the company's annual Environmental Report.
OfficeMax promotes environmentally responsible behavior to its
customers and associates through various programs and activities. OfficeMax
was the first office product retailer to provide an ink cartridge refill
service, allowing retail customers to reuse printer ink cartridges instead
of discarding them and, thus, reducing landfill content.
Through a long-term ink cartridge recycling incentive program,
OfficeMax provided more than 500,000 reams of recycled content paper to
customers. Today, OfficeMax offers a $3 gift card for each printer ink
cartridge turned in for recycling, allowing customers greater purchase
flexibility.
OfficeMax has committed to identifying and supporting recycled-content
paper and paper products with a target of 30% average post-consumer fiber
content. Among its current selection of environmentally preferable
products, OfficeMax offers recycled content paper at all retail outlets,
including the first nationally distributed 100% post-consumer paper, and
also promotes use of recycled content paper within the company's own
operations. OfficeMax ImPress, providing print and document production
services to all OfficeMax customers, also uses recycled content paper.
The complete OfficeMax paper procurement policy, in addition to the company's environmental policy, can be found online at
http://about.officemax.com/html/officemax_environmental_policy.shtml .PR Newswire
