We recognize our responsibility to source, promote and encourage the use of environmentally responsible products. For several years now we have actively promoted items we feel have added environmental benefits. We have done this by tagging them with the EPP icon in our catalogues as well as by featuring them in special EPP theme flyers.
Your response has been very positive and products like our 30% recycled multipurpose paper, the 100% recycled content is just the first step and that true environmental responsibility requires further action. The impact of manufacturing processes on the environment and of the disposal of products containing hazardous materials are both issues we are now addressing.
We believe that providing products like these with recycled content is just the first step snd that true environmental responsibility requires further action. The impact of manufacturing processes on the environment and of the disposal of products containing hazardous materials are both issues we are now addredding.
The Domtar EarthChoice lineup of papers being launched this year go beyond the recycling issue and address the greater issue of forest management and sustainability. These products are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the SmartWood program of the Rainforest Alliance as having been made only from raw materials harvested from forests with sound, renewable management programs.
In 2006 Canada generated 67,000 tons of electronic, computer waste. Many of these products have relatively short life cycles and are toxic to the environment, containing havey metals, ozone depleting chlorofluorcarbons, biphenols and other carcinogenic chemicals. The good news it that many of our electronic suppliers recognize these issue s and are actively changing the way they manufacture these items. A number of them also now place proactive measures to pull back obsolete equipment and ensure that it is processed properly to minimize the environmental impact. We are commited to encouraging and supporting the vendors who have taken these measures by focusing on their products inn both catalogue and promotional pieces.
Highlights
Lexmark laser printers are not only the most energy efficient in the industry, they have reduced the printer to package size by 20% to 60% compared other competitors' similar products. That means less packaging waste for you. Both HP and Lexmark lasers use about 10% of the energy of laser units made only 3 years ago.
In 2005, more than 15 million HP cartridges were returned worldwide for recycling through their Planet Partners Program. 100% of the material in the returened crtridges are recycled.
Sharp have converted all of their production facilities to their "Green Factory" standard which means instant CO2 reductions of 40% and 100% waste water recycling. They are also in the final stages of launching a new plastic made from a mix of derived hydrocarbons and recycled plastic.
Casio has removed all chlorofluorocarbons and heavy metals from their production processes. In 2005 they achieved a 50% reduction in CO2 emmisions from both manufacturing and distribution portions of their business.
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|