Green Thinking 2018 A

Green

THINKING

2018

Save the planet? YES WE CAN

Connecting the

business products world

THE TEAM EDITORIAL Editor Heike Dieckmann +44 (0)20 7841 2950 heike.dieckmann@opi.net Deputy Editor Michelle Sturman +44 (0)20 7841 2942 michelle.sturman@opi.net Freelance Contributor David Holes david.holes@opi.net SALES AND MARKETING Chief Commercial Officer Chris Exner +44 (0)7973 186801 chris.exner@opi.net Head of Media Sales Chris Turness +44 (0)20 7841 2953 chris.turness@opi.net Digital Marketing Manager Aurora Enghis +44 (0)20 7841 2959 aurora.enghis@opi.net EVENTS Events Manager Lisa Haywood +44 (0)20 7841 2941 events@opi.net FINANCE AND PRODUCTION Finance Kelly Hilleard +44 (0)20 7841 2956 kelly.hilleard@opi.net Production Eda Sismanoglu +44 (0)20 7841 2950 Eda@opi.net Studio Joel Mitchell joel.mitchell@opi.net PUBLISHERS CEO Steve Hilleard +44 (0)20 7841 2940 steve.hilleard@opi.net Director Janet Bell +44 (0)20 7841 2941 janet.bell@opi.net Office Products International Ltd (OPI) 2nd Floor 112 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5SA, UK +44 (0)20 7841 2950 Printed in the UK by Wyndeham Grange The carrier sheet is printed on Satimat Silk paper, which is produced on pulp-manufactured wood obtained from recognised responsible forests and at an FSC®-certified mill. It is polywrapped in recycleable plastic that will biodegrade within six months.

GREEN THINKING n

COMMENT

GROUNDSWELL MOMENT

M

arketers often talk of the 'tipping point' – the moment at which a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change. Over the past few years, the movement against plastic, and single-use plastic in particular, has been gaining momentum, but the tipping point came earlier this year, when the final episode of the BBC's Blue Planet II aired.

Images of marine life suffering from the impact of plastic invading the oceans shocked the general public into demanding action. It quickly led to wide-ranging changes from leading retailers, manufacturers and businesses to decrease the amount of plastic packaging used. While a charge for single-use plastic carrier bags in countries such as the UK has led to a significant decrease in their utilisation, there is still much more to be done.

Other cheery news comes from the EU in the form of a new proposed directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. It will see a sweeping ban on a range of single-use plastics, including cotton swabs and straws, and massive recycling targets for plastic bottles.

However, while the groundswell movement against plastic pollution is a giant leap in helping to protect the marine environment, it is still a small step in the fight to save the planet. While the plastic problem is tangible and can be tackled at an individual level, the 'bigger picture' climatic events are a different story – this is where governments, associations and businesses need to take the initiative.

2018 has been a year when sustainability, the circular economy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have hit the headlines more regularly, and increasingly extreme weather has shifted the focus towards climate change. Indeed, the recent IPCC report warns that worldwide greenhouse gas emissions must be cut by half in the next 12 years if we are to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

But, just as the planet's ecosystems are intricately interconnected, so too are the answers to tackling the existing environmental issues – which should be reassuring news for businesses.

Michelle Sturman, Deputy Editor

CONTENTS 5 News 8 SOFEA 10 Big Interview: Lyreco 18 Opinion: Simone Hindmarch 20 Category Overview: Furniture 23 IPCC Report 26 Schneider 28 CSR News 31 Edding 32 Opinion: Scott Castle 34 Category Overview: Paper 39 The Circular Economy 40 UN Sustainable Development Goals 42 Spotlight: Eco Guardian 44 Green Products 46 Opinion: Mike Netter

No part of this magazine may be reproduced, copied, stored in an electronic retrieval system or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with provision of the copyright designs and patents act of 1988. Stringent efforts have been made by Office Products International to ensure accuracy. However, due principally to the fact that data cannot always be verified, it is possible that some errors or omissions may occur. Office Products International cannot accept responsibility for such errors or omissions. Office Products International accepts no responsibility for comments made by contributing authors or interviewees that may offend.

OPI MAGAZINE n WWW.OPI.NET n 3

GREEN THINKING n

NEWS

NEWS

A round-up of some of the most interesting sustainability stories from across the industry

Officeworks responds to ‘Bring IT Back’ failures

Australia-based office products reseller Officeworks has responded to a report which found that electronic waste dropped at the company for recycling had just been shipped to junkyards in Hong Kong and Thailand. US-based e-waste watching group Basel Action Network (BAN) said it had used GPS trackers to trace the journey of the electronic equipment to a dioxin factory in a rural area. According to BAN, the e-waste was broken apart, with the removed circuit boards processed with crude chemical and smelting techniques to extract the gold and copper.

Responding to the information, Officeworks Managing Director Mark Ward told OPI: “We are disappointed in the findings of the report. Providing effective programmes that make a real difference is very important to us. We’re working with our supplier, who has government accreditation, to ensure that e-waste collected in our stores is recycled safely and appropriately. We have a long-standing commitment to making a positive difference in the world in which we work, live and operate. Complying with all relevant laws and customers, and maintaining the highest levels of ethics and integrity are central to how we do business and who we do business with. We would never knowingly or unethically dump waste.”

Commercial launches office supplies with purpose UK-based business services specialist Commercial Group has introduced a Products with a Purpose range to provide customers with a tangible and visible way to support social sustainability.

The initial range includes printer/copier paper, toner and ink cartridges, with a portion of sales (5% and 4% respectively) generating income for social enterprise Commercial Foundation. Through its No Limits training programme, the Foundation helps disadvantaged young people develop practical and personal skills to improve their employment prospects. Once they have completed the programme, 86% of participants go on to secure permanent work or further training.

Emerald expands Tree-Free range US-based office products manufacturer Emerald Brand has introduced the Emerald Ecovations division.

The new department will license sustainable Tree-Free raw material and finished products to companies and brands across the globe. Tree-Free is made from renewable resources and is used to make different speciality packaging, including towel, tissue and packaging paper.

In other Tree-Free news, the University of Miami (UM) is now using the disposables in an effort to make its operations more sustainable. Amid ongoing concerns about the use of plastic-based products in hospitality environments, the new initiative is one of a string of programmes implemented

by UM Dining in an effort to promote sustainable and environmentally-conscious dining on the campus.

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FEATURE NEWS n GREEN n PAPER THINKING Kyocera gains environmental management certification

Document solutions firm Kyocera has earned ISO 14001:2015 certification, which demonstrates the company’s credentials in ensuring that environmental sustainability is central to its business strategy.

Kyocera gave OPI an update on its environmental initiatives, in particular its goal to reduce CO2 emissions and its ‘Take Toner Back’ recycling programme.

The company said that all products – spearheaded by the ECOSYS range – are designed to reduce energy consumption, typically consuming 80% less than other products in the market and is spearheaded by the ECOSYS range. Individual entities within Kyocera have their own approaches and policies. For example, Kyocera Document Solutions UK is aiming to reduce carbon intensity by 1% each year. Just in the first year alone, it reached a 7.6% reduction. In addition, Kyocera has turned its attention to its global solar energy division, where it is aiming to save three times as much carbon as it uses by 2020.

The Take Toner Back programme, meanwhile, is part of the company’s efforts to make printing more sustainable through using cartridge-free print technology, reducing the number of components in a toner system by 85%. Since launching the scheme in 2015, it has been rolled out across Europe and recycles over 600,000 kg of toner each year.

Kyocera Europe Marketing and Communications Expert Michelle Wood said: “All initiatives aim to develop new ways in which we can help the environment, ranging from a global scale to small projects in our headquarters, where we are running a scheme to plant seeds in used coffee cups.”

6 n GREEN THINKING 2018

Cool Earth paper growth continues

Environmentally-friendly paper brand Cool Earth paper has continued to report improvements and demonstrates that there is an appetite for green products in the marketplace, with year-on-year sales rising 29.6%.

The paper, which is exclusive to members of UK dealer group Office Club, has continued to thrive in its partnership with the Cool Earth charity that tackles the threat of deforestation at its sources, working with local villages in the rainforest regions of the world.

The dealer group said that this is the third successive year of substantial volume growth. The manufacturer chosen by Office Club to produce the paper, UPM, was selected because of its impressive sustainability credentials, which have been consistently validated with the awarding of the title of Forest and Paper Industry Leader in the Dow Jones European and World Sustainability Indices for the sixth time.

Canon Germany receives prestigious sustainability award

Canon Germany has been awarded the Gold EcoVadis rating for the fourth year in a row, making it one of the top 5% listed companies with outstanding sustainability performance.

The EcoVadis CSR system assesses 21 criteria across four sections: the environment, fair labour practices, ethical/fair business practices, and the supply chain.

Daniel Hahn, Regional Manager DACH/NL, Sustainability Group, Canon Germany, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, and by focusing on environmental issues in the manufacturing of our products and raising awareness among our sustainability employees, we are implementing our Kyosei corporate philosophy of living and working together for the common good.”

Recognition for Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark has been honoured for its environmental measures with two awards for its efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint.

The company received the 2018 Responsible Business Award for Climate Action from Ethical Corporation. The accolade recognised the firm's innovative strategies to reduce the climate impacts of its operations through energy conservation, transformative energy management programmes, along with the increased use of alternative energy.

Kimberly-Clark also received its sixth consecutive SmartWay Excellence Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for leadership in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency. The EPA recognised the manufacturer for its continuous improvement in working with transportation providers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with its Sustainability 2022 goals.

Through its Sustainability 2022 initiatives, Kimberly-Clark has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 18% compared with a 2005 baseline, putting the company on track to achieve its 2022 reduction goal of 20%, four years ahead of schedule.

Stora Enso launches new sustainable technology Finland-based pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso has introduced a new sustainable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology designed for intelligent packaging functionalities in supply chain, retail and e-commerce applications.

The technology, called 'ECO by Stora Enso', enables RFID tags to be produced on a 100% fibre-based paper label, providing a plastic-free and recyclable solution. It would also allow the manufacturing process to be more scalable and, as a result, more cost-effective without compromising performance and reliability.

IEHA introduces new professional verification

ISSA division IEHA has launched its new Sustainability Professional credential to help IEHA/ISSA members in defining and validating their roles as sustainability practitioners.

Recertification will be required every two years and the one-day workshop can be taken online or in a classroom.

The certification includes three modules: • The Sustainability Advantage – this explains why sustainability is the right thing to do and why it is important to environmental services executives and their employers from an environmental, personal, career and business perspective.

• Making a Business Care for Sustainability – this shows how to establish a return on investment of sustainability in health care facilities and provides a fiduciary incentive to go green.

• Selling a Sustainability to a Stakeholder – this provides examples of persuasive language, charts and graphics to convince stakeholders of the value of sustainable initiatives within the environmental services department.

ADVERTORIAL n SOFEA

WORKING TOGETHER After four years of solid work behind the scenes, the office supplies product rating system developed by Sustainable Office European Association (SOFEA) is now live

S

ustainable Office European Association (SOFEA), a not-for-profit group based in Belgium and the Netherlands, is well underway with its new EU-wide environmental rating system for the office products industry.

In conjunction with members of the European business supplies sector, the association has developed and launched a simple and practical online assessment tool which is being used by OP manufacturers and resellers alike to validate product information according to their environmental impact.

The SOFEA Assessment Scheme (SAS) platform introduces a fair evaluation of office supplies in a neutral and transparent manner with the ultimate aim of inspiring manufacturers to continuously improve products while simultaneously encouraging resellers to promote the sustainability of the products.

To date, three categories – notebooks, filing and writing instruments – have been checked and verified by a third party service provider, with over 600 SKUs rated and available in the system in June 2018, and an expected total of 2,000 SKUs by the end of 2018.

Two new product groups are standing ready to start the creation of scorecards (stamps and envelopes). In total, 23 categories will be added to the platform (see Product Groups, below).

SOFEA MEMBERS RESELLERS: Staples | Office Depot | Alkor | Antalis | Bruneau | ADVEO MANUFACTURERS: ACCO Brands | Bong | CEP | Pavo | tesa | Trodat | Victor Stationery | Stabilo | Hamelin | Pentel | 3M | Pilot | Lama | COLOP | Fellowes | Mayer-Kuvert | Maped COOPERATIONS: BAUM | Sustainable Office | Responsible Office

HOW IT WORKS… Office supplies are evaluated on up to 38 indicators across product, manufacturing and corporate level.

However, the majority of points can be earned at the product level. Points are awarded for individual criteria and each category scorecard is different. Product life cycle stages are considered, as well as the production environment (management systems, energy, pollutants, water use and waste impact), with management initiatives also forming part of the overall scoring.

The scorecard is translated into an online questionnaire and the data checked and validated by Factor-X The Climate Consulting Group and linked to

PRODUCT GROUPS Envelopes | Ink & toner | Stamps | Glue & sticky tape | Paper | Business machines | Pencils & colouring | Writing instruments | Desk accessories | Calculators | Office

chairs | Trimmers, guillotines, knives & scissors | Sticky notes & flags | Computer

cleaning | Non-electronic accessories | Bags & luggage | Paper towels | Staplers &

To become a SOFEA member, please visit www.sofea.eu.

8 n GREEN THINKING 2018

hole punchers | Storage & archiving | Calendars & diaries | Correcting products |

Notepads & books | Other office furniture & accessories

SOFEA n

ADVERTORIAL

SOFEA OFFICE PRODUCTS ENVIRONMENTAL RATINGS Products with the highest level of overall sustainability performance. Excellence in all three assessment levels: product features, manufacturing processes and company management.

Products with a high level of overall sustainability performance. Product environmental features are above the market average, often together with limited manufacturing impact, and commitment in company management.

Products with average overall sustainability performance. Reflects standard product features, often combined with average manufacturing practices and company management.

Products with sustainability lower than the market average. Improvements can usually be made in product features, and often in manufacturing processes and/or company management.

Products fulfil at least all the minimum legal requirements and companies are committed to the SOFEA rating system. an A-E rating. The transparent nature of the data shows the environmental impact of a product and also reveals where improvements can be made.

The product rating (see 'SOFEA office products environmental ratings', above) is then shared with SOFEA and made available for public consumption or kept for internal purposes only.

Once the assessment has been completed and verified, a company is allowed to use the product rating logos on products and marketing communications. A SOFEA rating logo is an assurance of a sustainable product with A being excellent and E being standard (see 'The product rating logo – varieties').

A family of rating logos has been designed and there are various options available ranging from a general SOFEA logo to a detailed product logo.

In addition, each of the logos have been specifically designed for different branding purposes across websites, catalogues, product packaging, social media, brochures and newsletters. At this time, the ratings and logos are available for use in the B2B arena, with B2C to follow later.

NEXT STEPS SOFEA is not slowing down in its mission to encourage sustainability in the European office products industry. SOFEA’s members will continue populating the database with verified products and in the meantime, the association has engaged with the European Commission by enrolling the assessment in the Subsidy programme NSR Interreg.

Designed to accelerate the greening of the North Sea Region, SOFEA is exploring the option to take part in the circular procurement project, CircPro, by implementing the SAS within the public procurement of office supplies.

SOFEA and the product rating system are now at a critical juncture and calling for the business supplies industry to step up and get involved. In the words of SOFEA President Matthias Schumacher: “The groundwork is done. The online system is up and

“We are currently engaged with the resellers to support and promote the SOFEA product ratings, but we need new members and commitment from the entire OP sector” running and the manufacturers involved in the first pilot have done their job. We are currently engaged with the resellers to support and promote the SOFEA product ratings, but we need new members and commitment from the entire OP sector.”

THE PRODUCT RATING LOGO – VARIETIES EXPLANATION MARK ONLY A general SOFEA product logo.

'Sustainable Choice' promises a sustainable buying decision and explains what SOFEA stands for.

EXPLANATION MARK & RATING The rating levels are always shown with the general SOFEA logo plus the rating.

EXPLANATION OF THE CATEGORIES To explain to end users the different rating categories – used on a website or a printed product catalogue.

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BIG INTERVIEW n LYRECO

THE WAY

FORWARD OPI’s Michelle Sturman speaks to Lyreco Group Quality, Security & Sustainability Director Nasser Kahil about the global reseller’s environmental ethos and the future of sustainabillity

OPI: Broadly speaking, what are Lyreco’s shortterm and long-term goals on sustainability and the environment?

Nasser Kahil: Eco Future, our current sustainability strategy, is based on three guided principles: economic success, environment protection and social responsibility. We are happy with the outcomes so far and close to reaching our main objectives and targets in all these categories. The strategy will be completed at the end of 2018.

Our long-term plan is to further extend our corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments and we are in the process of defining our next sustainability strategy.

In addition to the usual ‘classic’ topics (economic, environment and people), it will also cover three other areas: governance, supply chain and community – it was quite a long process just to get to this point.

Importantly, we have defined our first Materiality Matrix with the effective contribution of more than 2,500 internal and external stakeholders, employees, customers, suppliers and third party organisations.

OPI: Before we continue, please explain the Materiality Matrix.

NK: The Materiality Matrix enables Lyreco to define the importance of relevant CSR issues. The approach is supported by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) and all the CSR agencies including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

OPI: When will the new sustainability strategy be officially launched?

NK: Lyreco will launch the next phase in January 2019 and it will be completely embedded within company policy. We want to implement further sustainability throughout the organisation – in all our activities worldwide – which requires us to empower everyone to take ownership of this conviction, ambition and plan. Therefore, the overall strategy coordination and consistency remains key, and will be ensured by the quality, security and sustainability teams.

OPI: Talking about strategy, Lyreco has just launched a new corporate identity and branding.

NK: Since it was founded in 1926, Lyreco has always been able to change and reinvent itself. This heritage is evident in its mission to confront the challenges of today: 'Lyreco. The Responsible Partner'. The change in visual identity accompanies this undertaking and represents the consideration and support it bears towards its employees, suppliers and partners.

While retaining the fundamentals of the brand, the name, construction of the logo, and the ellipses

“Lyreco’s new sustainability strategy has been conceived to reflect a 'think global, act local' blueprint” have been lengthened. Blue and green have been chosen to echo an ambitious CSR policy that goes well beyond the environment and systematically involves sustainability in decision-making processes.

The new signature: 'WORKING TOGETHER FOR TOMORROW', which will remain in English for all subsidiaries, highlights the group's long-term relationship with all its stakeholders.

OPI: As a global business, how does Lyreco ensure that sustainability standards are upheld across all the countries you operate in?

10 n GREEN THINKING 2018

LYRECO n

BIG INTERVIEW

Nasser Kahil,

Group Quality, Security &

Sustainability Director for Lyreco

NK: The quality, security and sustainability policies issued annually by our CEO have to be reflected locally by each subsidiary’s Managing Director. Each month, I also coordinate with my counterparts in each country and ‘close the loop’ with a consolidated KPI report.

OPI: Is there room for each country to implement its own goals in line with what's relevant and appropriate territorially?

NK: Lyreco’s new sustainability strategy has been conceived to reflect a 'think global, act local' blueprint.

Specifically, we defined a guiding principle per area at group level to ensure an overall consistency across all countries. Each country has to fulfil these fundamentals, taking into consideration specific conditions such as the maturity of the subsidiary, local market expectations, along with the social and economic situation. With this new strategy, we want to foster bottom up initiatives and good practice sharing.

OPI: How would you rate your own branded products in terms of sustainability?

NK: Lyreco considers two main criteria: the credibility of ecolabels and the conditions in which our products are manufactured.

Regarding credentials, we have a clear preference for ecolabels that cover not only the raw materials, but the whole life cycle of the product, including manufacturing and disposal processes. Thus, since 2009, Lyreco has promoted the EU Ecolabel for its own branded goods.

In 2017, it also selected the Nordic Swan ecolabel for our remanufactured toner cartridges. However, we still have room for improvement, as not all of our products are currently certified.

In terms of production conditions, social accountability and environment are the two major aspects and we have a very strict programme in place.

We monitor this very closely, and we ensure that it’s not just about ‘ticking a box’ when receiving an audit report. The procedure is based on high global standards involving major auditing companies and a strict control process. This action is clearly needed, as unfortunately we still encounter non-acceptable conditions – and not just from small companies.

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BIG INTERVIEW n LYRECO OPI: You mentioned EcoVadis earlier. How have you managed to achieve and, importantly, sustain your status?

NK: EcoVadis is a key reference in terms of purchasing policy for many corporate and international customers. Lyreco is engaged in a continuous improvement process to comply with the requirements of EcoVadis’ CSR assessment.

We are pleased with our status, not necessarily due to our Gold recognition – it is now granted to more and more companies – but because we are ranked in the top 2% overall.

Nevertheless, EcoVadis is not the only source for Lyreco, particularly as there are few interactions once you are rated. This is why the assessment of our suppliers is based on our own system – the Lyreco Supplier Sustainability Assessment, which is more relevant, efficient and reliable.

OPI: This assessment has been in place for a number of years now. What changes have you made to the programme?

“For our common range, we reached a new record in 2017 where 42% of sales were green products”

Lyreco has

extended the

range of green products to its professional detergents category

NK: It is no longer ‘standalone’, as we decided to integrate it in our Supplier Performance Improvement Programme (SPIP). This change has enabled a consistent evaluation which now covers all the necessary dimensions: competitiveness, innovation, logistics and sustainability. We also have a higher commitment from our category directors and product managers on sustainability topics.

OPI: Has it changed the behaviour of your partners in terms of sustainability?

NK: The SPIP has allowed the establishment of a fair assessment to enable suppliers and Lyreco to get to

12 n GREEN THINKING 2018

know each other better on sustainability issues. In some cases, we even arrange a face-to-face review with the supplier to ensure we understand and share the goals.

Following this initial diagnosis phase, manufacturers then implement concrete actions directly linked to the Lyreco scorecard which covers the following five areas: environment, health & safety, social accountability, supply chain and business ethics.

The continuous improvement aspect of SPIP works quite well – this year, the average score increased 10%, in line with our sustainability target.

OPI: Are all Lyreco suppliers now part of your performance programme?

NK: All of our suppliers are involved, plus specific local providers in a couple of countries.

OPI: How difficult is it to get the entire supply chain to work together?

NK: Our priority is to work with our direct first tier suppliers. We ask them to ‘cascade’ our sustainability ethos down throughout their own supply chain.

This is a key component of the Supplier Sustainability Assessment, with the supply chain specification amounting to almost 30% of the total score. Moreover, depending on the risk management criteria, we may also apply our auditing programme to second and third tier providers within the supply chain.

OPI: Are manufacturers keeping their end of the deal in terms of the continuing availability of innovative green products?

NK: Certainly. Some of them offer products with not only greener raw materials or features, but more and more solutions to cope with the principles of the circular economy model.

OPI: Are you expanding your range of environmentally friendly products?

NK: For our common range, we reached a new record in 2017 where 42% of sales were green products, clearly above our initial target of 25%. However, this status is highly dependent on the country and we would like to increase the level of the ‘low performers’.

BIG INTERVIEW n LYRECO In 2019, we will also introduce Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) in the personal protection equipment category.

OPI: Green products have a reputation of being more expensive. How have you dealt with this perception?

NK: I don’t believe this is a valid argument.

Often, a ‘green product’ is not only preferable for the environment, but is also better in terms of quality and other consumer considerations, such as the nature of the substances included in the product.

OPI: Is greenwashing still an issue?

NK: I don’t think that greenwashing is still done on purpose; rather the issue is more due to a lack of knowledge and/or awareness. Thus, some ‘green credentials’ may be highlighted that are not necessarily accurate or the most relevant in a global context.

“A life cycle perspective approach is now a must for an effective sustainability approach” To prevent such problems, I think that the ‘green claims’ must more than ever be based on duly recognised criteria and incontrovertible evidence assessed by independent third party and multistakeholder involvement.

OPI: Is there a desire for green office products from your customers?

NK: Yes, the demand is even more structured at corporate and international level, with strict criteria and targets included in companies' purchasing policies. Historically, this approach dealt with a few product categories such as paper.

Lyreco Italy offers end-to-end zero emission deliveries

14 n GREEN THINKING 2018

Now, just about all categories are covered, especially if they include well-known ecolabels.

If they aren't, customers will give you their environmental requirements, such as “the ink must not contain aromatic or chlorinated compounds”, or “office supplies must not contain PVC or phthalates”.

OPI: What about demand for other environmental initiatives such as recycling and closed loop?

NK: Until early this year, China was recycling about half of the globe’s plastics and paper products, but now no longer wants to be the 'world’s garbage dump'.

The problem is that Europe focused too much on collecting plastic waste and shipping it out, and not enough on encouraging manufacturers to use it in new products.

Luckily, governments have started to realise the importance of the matter and are looking to implement a number of new measures. The EU, for example, has proposed a move to ban single-use plastics.

However, we are talking about long-term solutions, and there are a couple of countries currently facing growing piles of recyclables and not enough room to store them. Experts say the immediate response to the crisis may be to turn to incineration or landfill, both of which are harmful to the environment.

At the same time, countries like the Netherlands, which segregates all of its waste into separate streams, have been relatively unaffected by the Chinese decision.

The quality of collection there is very good, unlike in the UK, Ireland, Greece or Romania, which produce lowquality waste that is difficult to recycle.

The current situation is hopefully short-term pain for longer-term gain. In the end, I think that ‘closed loop’ is the ultimate goal. But before this can happen, authorities still have to set up middle-term solutions to mitigate the issue (read more on the plastic problem on page 18).

OPI: Plastic is a hot topic at the moment. What is Lyreco doing with respect to tackling this problem?

NK: Internally, we have dedicated collection and recycling schemes, covering especially plastics.

In 2017, more than 90% of the waste derived from Lyreco’s activities was recycled, with some countries like the UK now being ‘zero landfill’. We don’t use

LYRECO n

BIG INTERVIEW

plastics for customer deliveries, and since 2010, we have been asking our suppliers to avoid using stretch film on cardboard pallets.

With regards to products, our green product assessment integrates criteria taking into account environmentally-friendly packaging, alternative raw materials and recycled/recyclable plastic contents.

Lyreco owns Algopack, an innovative company that proposes an alternative to conventional 100% petroleum-based plastics, made from seaweed. Contact has already been made with a couple of OP players.

OPI: What sustainable/environmental initiatives does Lyreco offer customers directly?

NK: We offer recycling services to customers in all our markets in more than ten product categories, including: laser cartridges, inkjet cartridges, batteries, light bulbs, electrics and electronics, paper and cardboard, cups, plastic bottles, aluminium cans, and coffee capsules.

However, the offer really depends on the country, its specific legal requirements – for example, we can’t use our vans in Spain or Italy to collect empties – as well as market expectations. In some subsidiaries, we also add a CSR element by involving organisations such as Ateliers du Bocage (a subsidiary of the Emmaus Group) in France. Since March 2017, we have worked with them in the recycling/reuse of printer cartridges collected by Lyreco. Just to give you an idea to illustrate our activities in this area, last year we collected more than 1.2 million empty printer cartridges. With the growing importance of the circular economy, I think that this business has a bright future.

In addition to our EPP ranges, we have also developed tools such as the Logistics Calculator and Environmental Balance to raise customer awareness and help them reduce their environmental impact when

The solar panel installation

at the Lyreco UK National Distribution

Centre is one

of the largest in the country

buying office supplies. The best industry performers are then recognised as part of our annual Customer Sustainability Awards.

OPI: Can you please explain more about some of your innovative transportation initiatives – such as electric rickshaws – over the past few years?

NK: These schemes are going well, with a yearly increase of our environmentally-friendly vans of around 10%. We would like to go quicker, but are still limited by the lack of infrastructure, such as the number and location of natural gas filling stations.

More recently, in Italy, we set up a partnership with new distribution company Four Sustainable Logistics.

This will give Lyreco the opportunity to ensure end-toend customer deliveries with zero emissions, including those that are long distance.

Other actions to reduce the environmental impact of our transport include reverse logistics recycling services to customers, flexible delivery dates and awareness actions to limit small orders.

OPI: As a large company, has Lyreco started investigating the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

NK: Sure, this was the logical ‘next step’ following our UN Global Compact membership that started in 2004.

More precisely, we have already linked the SDGs with Lyreco initiatives, identifying 16 out of the 17 goals to which we can contribute. The sole SDG not applicable in our case is No. 14 - Life Below Water.

OPI: What’s your view on sustainability in the general business supplies industry?

NK: This is dependent on the product category. For example, the sustainability level of the paper producers is consistent overall, while the gap can be much wider for office products. The performance is also quite good in what we call ‘Life@Work’ (jan/san and catering), with strict certification and ecolabel programmes.

OPI: One final question. If there is just one thing that the OP industry could do right now to become more sustainable, what is it?

NK: Grant a higher priority to its supply chain, meaning consider not only its own and direct environmental impact, but also indirect aspects. A life cycle perspective approach is now a must for an effective sustainability approach.

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OPINION n SIMONE HINDMARCH

THE PROBLEM

WITH PLASTIC Commercial Group Managing Director Simone Hindmarch explains how to work effectively with customers to reduce single-use plastic

S

ingle-use plastic has risen up the environmental agenda and never before has there been such a focus on the issue, or such an appetite for finding an alternative. Images of plastic polluting some of the most beautiful parts of our world have galvanised the global community, and more and more businesses are making the pledge to become plastic-free.

At Commercial Group, we’ve been pushing the boundaries of sustainability for many years. We too are working towards eliminating single-use plastic, including from within our supply chain. We’re also supporting our customers, from those that have the complex issue of eliminating single-use plastic already on their agenda, to companies that are unsure of where to start.

The first step in providing that support is finding out what they want to achieve as a business. Some may simply be looking for alternatives to plastic cups or other breakroom products, while telecommunications firm Sky, for example, is aiming to eliminate disposable plastic from every part of its business by 2020. Once we understand what being free of plastic looks like for each particular customer, we then work with them to help deliver that vision.

A good example of this is how we make it easier for buyers to compare the green credentials of different products in our range. We have worked to categorise them based on a number of components, including packaging, how they are made, how ethically they are produced and their recyclability. Our ‘switch and save’ functionality within our ordering system, Sprint, can also proactively recommend more eco-friendly alternatives.

“Meaningful change has to be supported by every part of the business, including employees” UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM Plastic permeates every part of our lives – from the products themselves to the packaging they arrive in – and it performs many useful functions for which practical alternatives do not yet exist. Plastic in food production and storage acts as a useful and effective preservative, for instance, and getting rid of it would ultimately lead to greater wastage – which, in turn, has its own environmental impact.

There are also life cycle issues. It’s not just about the actual products, but the capabilities of the waste management services being used as well, and how easy it is to recycle at the end of use.

In much the same way as we have approached reducing our own carbon footprint and supported our customers in doing so, it’s important that we manage change carefully in order for us all to achieve our specific sustainability goals.

18 n GREEN THINKING 2018

THE RIGHT CHOICE These mechanisms offer our customers transparency and a better understanding of how sustainable a product is, and how much environmental advantage it actually offers. Simple swaps aren’t always the answer. We ensure that clients are equipped with the information they need so they can produce an informed decision.

Meaningful change has to be supported by every part of a business, including employees. Engaging them to create tangible adjustments to the choices they make in and around the office can cause a real difference to a company’s environmental footprint.

Our Change Champions team recently chose to look at the disposable plastic we use in our daily lives. They then provided useful ideas as to how we can reduce consumption, both personally and professionally.

Long term, we need to transform the way we conduct our lives and operate our businesses.

The first step is to decide what is achievable and sustainable, and then commit.

PLASTIC FANTASTIC The issue of single-use plastic has become such an important issue over the past

year or so that ‘single-use’ was named 2018 word of the year by Collins Dictionary.

The momentum is continuing with the scourge of plastic pollution, particularly

in the oceans, making headlines around the globe on a daily basis. The constant

media barrage is having a positive impact – at the end of October, the European Parliament voted for a sweeping ban on single-use plastic, including straws, cutlery and plates, and cotton swabs, along with a significant reduction in the use of other single-use plastic items such as food and beverage containers. The new directive also supports the EU Circular Economy Package (CEP) policy and will help achieve the United

Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (see 'Going round in circles' on page 39 for more information on CEP, and 'Chain reaction' on page 40 for more information on the SDGs).

CATEGORY OVERVIEW n FURNITURE

FURNISHING

A FUTURE What does sustainable production mean in the furniture sector and how are the main exponents of this philosophy bringing it about? – by David Holes

S

ustainability is a key watchword across the OP industry these days, with every sector embracing its principles to a greater or lesser extent. The best practitioners in the furniture category now aim to adopt ecologically-sound processes along every step of the supply chain.

However, it’s not always clear how far the ‘sustainable’ label truly goes when weighing up all the environmental attributes of a product. Beyond the sourcing of the raw materials used, does it also include the energy and atmospheric impacts, the effects on human and ecosystem health, and the corporate social responsibility of the companies involved in its manufacturing process?

CERTIFICATION MATTERS Thankfully, schemes such as LEVEL, run by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) across North America, provide a transparent means of evaluating and communicating all the environmental and social impacts of furniture products.

The LEVEL programme has three performance tiers – 1, 2 and 3 – the higher the number, the more criteria have been considered and met.

The UK has a similar independently-verified, sustainability scheme specifically tailored to the furniture industry. Known as the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP), it identifies best practice to drive

Humanscale Smart

Ocean chairs incorporate recycled fishing net

material from Bureo

20 n GREEN THINKING 2018

social, economic and environmental change and is recognised as the benchmark for sustainable practices in the sector.

As Stuart Cochrane, Sustainability Consultant at the UK’s Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), says: “In a competitive industry, sustainability is becoming a ‘must-have’ rather than a ‘nice-tohave’ and FISP certification is fast becoming a key requirement in both public and private sector tendering processes.”

ON TREND NeoCon, the world’s leading expo for the commercial design industry, annually showcases the latest developments in the furniture category. The 2018 event demonstrated that the increasing complexity of the workforce is impacting the way office furnishings are evolving. A clear desire to bring home elements into the work environment continues to drive the ‘resimercial’ movement and the incorporation of green elements – living walls, partitions and planters – to define and divide space. The continuing shift towards the use of natural and recycled materials was another noticeable trend.

However, Susan Kill, VP & General Manager of Furniture at Staples Business Advantage, strikes a note of caution: “If presented with an option that is on-trend, functional and economical, consumers react favourably. But, while most customers want to be environmentally conscious, few are willing to pay higher prices for these products. Sustainability remains a market concern, but the majority of our clients see that aligning with a known, domestic supplier is the best way to protect against environmental atrocities.”

AMBITIOUS TARGETS Some manufacturers are positioning themselves right at the cutting edge of the sustainability movement. USbased Humanscale, for example, says that it has had this philosophy at its core since the company's inception.

“Essentially, we believe every organisation needs to be self-sustaining – operating on its own water, power, etc – and ultimately make a positive contribution to the environment. This is how nature works and is the

FURNITURE n

only way we can ensure the long-term survival of our planet,” explains founder and CEO Bob King.

The company has set itself some ambitious goals which are already having an effect. Over the past year, it has reduced energy consumption by 10% and greenhouse gas emissions by 12%. 100% of the water used in its main production facility in Piscataway, New Jersey, was captured rainwater. It also derived over 80% of its energy from solar panels and aims to recycle 90% of the waste produced at all facilities.

Additionally, Humanscale was the first company to achieve full ‘Living Product Challenge’ certification for two of its products – the float table and the smart chair. These stringent sustainability standards set by the International Living Future Institute go above and beyond mere sustainability. They set manufacturers the challenge of producing items that are not just trying to be ‘less bad’, but actually creating goods which have a positive effect by, say, regenerating natural habitats or improving social conditions.

“This vision to go beyond sustainability and have a net positive impact was set at the highest level, but it has been wholeheartedly embraced throughout the organisation,” says Humanscale Sustainability Officer Jane Abernethy. “From a product engineer who conscientiously chooses healthy materials, to an office manager who reminds her team members about recycling and an operations manager who chooses LED lighting, the sway we have as a company is the sum of the impact of all our employees.”

Recycled nylon pellets made from fishing

nets used in

manufacturing

“In a competitive industry, sustainability is becoming a ‘must-have’ rather than a ‘nice-to-have’” ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS Wood remains one of the most widely used materials in furniture manufacturing and provided it is responsibly managed, can be a highly sustainable resource. However, the majority of wood-based products are made from the same two dozen or so tree species, which can lead to the overharvesting of threatened varieties or have a negative impact on biodiversity within plantations. One solution is to use species that are less traditional, but which have similar characteristics in terms of performance and aesthetics – crab wood, wawabima and guanacaste are, for example, three lesser-known species that are great alternatives as long as stocks are managed responsibly.

But away from wood, a whole spectrum of other materials are used to make furniture, with those that consist of recycled waste material among the most interesting from an ecological standpoint.

For example, most disposable nappies end up in landfill sites where they can take centuries to decompose. But a waste processing plant in the Netherlands hopes to change that by creating

CATEGORY OVERVIEW

a recycling plant that will turn them into plastic furniture. Dutch firm ARN, in partnership with Elsinga Policyplanning and Innovation, is building a dedicated facility which will also generate green gas, fertiliser and biomass from the nappies, using a reactor that reaches temperatures of 250°C (482°F) under high pressure.

“Under these conditions, the nappies – including their contents of urine and faecal matter – become liquid and separate into different materials,” says Elsinga Director Willem Elsinga. “The high temperature also gets rid of bacteria and viruses, so all the products will be safe.”

The plan is to process some 15,000 tonnes of nappies a year, with the separated plastic put through a granulator before being used to create new furniture and other products. The gas generated will be used as fuel for power stations. The first plant is due to open in December this year and, if successful, two more facilities will be built in the near future.

Humanscale is using another waste product – discarded fishing nets – to produce an item of furniture. Its Smart Ocean chair incorporates nearly 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of recycled fishing net material sourced from Bureo – a venture developing innovative solutions to prevent ocean plastic pollution.

“Waste plastic has become one of the greatest threats to our oceans and discarded fishing nets are one of the worst examples,” says Humanscale’s King.

“They can ‘ghost fish’ for years and are often washed onto reefs, damaging or destroying these delicate ecosystems. We have partnered with Bureo which works with fishermen to salvage and repurpose their old nets which we use to manufacture parts for our new chair. It’s a great example of realising our vision of making manufacturing truly self-sustaining; every chair made has a positive impact on the environment.”

It’s clear that the ethos of sustainability has taken a firm grip on the furniture sector and momentum is gathering, with ingenious solutions and a commitment to eco-friendliness increasingly at the heart of the entire supply chain.

OPI MAGAZINE n WWW.OPI.NET n 21

IPCC n

REPORT

TIME FOR

ACTION

The recent IPCC report has sent alarm bells clanging as it warns the world to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by half within the next 12 years

A

t the beginning of October this year, the 48th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) took place in the Republic of Korea. During this extraordinary meeting, the IPCC announced its first report to be published on behalf of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when it adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015.

The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C was authored by 91 scientists and review editors from 40 countries, citing more than 6,000 scientific references.

The task was to prepare a paper assessing the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related greenhouse gas emission pathways in order to help address climate change.

During the meeting's opening ceremony, World Meteorological Organization Deputy Secretary-General Elena Manaenkova remarked that the past two decades have included 18 of the 20 warmest since records began in 1850. “WMO continues to monitor climate trends.

It is no surprise that 2018 is set to become one of the warmest on record, and we are seeing new records in long-term climate change indicators,” she said.

FACING THE CONSEQUENCES The paper issued a warning of the consequences of a warming planet. “One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from this report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other changes,” said Panmao Zhai, co-Chair of IPCC Working Group I. More striking, it also highlighted a number of climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C, or more.

For instance, by 2100, global sea level rise would be 10 cm lower; the likelihood of an Arctic Ocean free of sea ice in summer would be once per century, compared with at least once per decade; and coral reefs would decline by 70-90% with global warming of 1.5°C, whereas virtually all (>99%) would be lost at 2°C. It’s not all doom and gloom, however. There are many schemes underway around the world designed to limit global warming to 1.5°C as governments and businesses adopt measures agreed under the Paris Agreement and strive to achieve the United Nations

Sustainable Development Goals (see 'Chain reaction', page 40). However, the IPCC report calls attention to the real need to accelerate these actions and finds that limiting global temperatures will require "rapid and far-reaching" transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport and cities. In addition, CO2 levels will need to fall to "net zero" by 2050.

“We are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming” HELPING HAND The IPCC warnings need to be heeded by everyone and it is incumbent on businesses of all sizes to play a part in curbing carbon emissions. First and foremost is a commitment to decarbonise by any means necessary. Lowering a carbon footprint can be quite simple by following any of these initiatives: installing more efficient lighting such as LED; window tinting, film and solar shadings; HVAC systems; zero emission delivery transport; using renewable energy and CHP technology; encouraging cycle-to-work schemes or the use of public transport; waste recycling policies including for obsolete electrical equipment; swapping desktops for laptops; the use of energy-efficient appliances in the breakroom; making more effective use of technology such as video conferencing; and encouraging working from home.

However, the Special Report clearly states that even these easy options are now not enough; the pace of transformation needs to gain rapid momentum as we have simply run out of time. For those still 'umming and ahing' about playing their part, just think of the increasingly severe weather the world has suffered over the past few years – from devastating floods in Asia and drought in Australia, to heatwaves in Europe and record-breaking hurricanes and wildfires in the US. All of these have had an impact on business, from increases in prices to supply chain problems and delivery issues.

A quick glance at some of the most recent quarterly financial results indicates the influence that climaterelated events are having on the bottom line.

For the full report, visit www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15.

OPI MAGAZINE n WWW.OPI.NET n 23

ADVERTORIAL n SCHNEIDER

FOR THE LOVE OF

THE PEN The history of Schneider in Germany and the ballpoint pen – invented in the US – are intrinsically linked. Indeed, it was the ballpoint pen that began Schneider’s writing instruments journey

I

n September 1938, Christian Schneider co-founded what was then called Blum & Schneider, a factory for screws and turned parts situated in Tennenbronn, in Germany’s Black Forest. During the same year, the ballpoint pen was invented by Jewish-Hungarian journalist László Bíró in the US. The two events at the time were unrelated, but Schneider was intrigued when he heard of this innovation shortly after: a writing instrument which delivers ink onto the paper via a rolling ball instead of a nib. What followed was quite straightforward.

After WWII, he changed the focus of the company to concentrate on writing instruments. In 1948, Schneider started manufacturing sample refills. Deeply passionate about the product and its potential, he continues to work on improving the technology and chemistry in the manufacturing process. This doesn’t go unnoticed by a growing customer base and eventually the quality of the company’s refills leads to a breakthrough.

In the years that followed, Schneider quickly became the leading manufacturer of ballpoint pen refills, not just in Germany but beyond the country’s borders. Less than a decade after first getting involved, in 1957 Schneider begins the production of complete writing instruments in addition to the traditional processing of metal.

Today and in its 80th year, Schneider is a major international brand for writing instruments, with distribution in over 130 countries. It remains a family-owned business and employs over 600 staff, still operating and

26 n GREEN THINKING 2018

manufacturing solely in Germany. Company founder Christian Schneider passed away in 1978, with his son Roland taking over the business.

Roland Schneider has the same passion for writing instruments, but his goals were very much of a contemporary nature. He wanted to transform the company into a technology leader, with an ever-growing assortment that reflects new techniques, changing customer requirements and constantly evolving social responsibilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS A stronger focus on protecting the environment was one of the issues that he wanted to address. Keen to minimise the negative impact from manufacturing processes, he adopted the voluntary EMAS regulation, installed an environmental management system and in 1998 published the first environmental statement to be verified by independent experts. All of the above

Manual production of refills at Schneider's factory in the Black Forest, Germany

Schneider's first employees when the company was founded in 1938

SCHNEIDER n

resulted in the systematic examination of the company's options for replacing critical substances, optimising processes, reducing emissions, improving safety and reducing the use of finite resources.

Roland Schneider’s efforts are now being continued by his son Christian at the helm of the company. And Christian, together with the rest of a deeply committed and highly energetic team, is making his own mark on the company with adding to the company’s sustainability efforts, both in terms of processes and end product.

Schneider has consistently pursued the aim of avoiding all energy sources that use non-renewable resources or pollute or endanger the environment, for example.

The first step towards clean electricity was taken as early as 1998 and its change-over to regenerative power sources was completed in 2010. The company also generates its own power both from cogeneration and from the solar panel system installed in the factories.

In product terms, some of the most recent launches include ballpoint pen family Slider with its innovative Viscoglide technology and the world's first fineliner and fibre pen range called Link-It and Line-Up, with the barrels made of more than 85% bio-based plastic.

The green pen body, meanwhile, is made of 88% bio-based plastics, a number that was confirmed by DIN CERTCO, an independent certification organisation.

In addition, unavoidable emissions in the production process of the Link-It are offset by the support of an internationally recognised climate protection project.

“[Roland Schneider] wanted to transform the company into a technology leader, with an ever growing assortment that reflects new techniques, changing customer requirements and constantly evolving corporate social responsibilities”

ADVERTORIAL

LINK-IT: TEAM PLAYER AND ALL-ROUNDER The first Link-It was launched two years ago and has proven hugely popular. The innovative click system which is integrated at the end of the barrels of the pen cleverly links two writing instruments. Until recently, Link-It was available as a fineliner and fibre pen, but now it’s also available as a mix-and-match with the Slider ballpoint pen and a new highlighter version.

Ballpoint pen, highlighter, fineliner and fibre pen can be easily linked – and separated again. To link two pens, users just have to place the two arrows facing each other and ‘click’. The different colours of the barrels clearly indicate that there are four different pen types.

The new combination, available in bundles, gives users – at home, in the office or at school – the option to combine their favourite colours and writing systems, according to preferences as well as specific needs. As the illustrations show, ordinary text can be written with the Slider ballpoint pen while important passages can be highlighted with the same pen – just flip it and use the other side. The fibre pen, meanwhile, is great for underlining and colouring, while the fineliner makes perfect sides notes. With the use of these simple tools, a simple notebook becomes an individual art folder with charm and character.

ONE LINK-IT FOR EVERY OCCASION To accommodate every conceivable user requirement, Schneider has made its innovative product assortment as broad as possible. The black highlighter is available in four bright marker colours – yellow, green, pink and orange – while the cyan Slider ballpoint pen is available in eight shades (black, red, blue, green, orange, violet, pink and light blue).

AWARD-WINNING Schneider’s expanded and more versatile twin-pen range has clearly struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. In 2017, the company won the Pro-K Award given to outstanding plastic products. In the same year, it also received the Plus X Award, where innovation, high quality, design, functionality and sustainability of the Link-It were highlighted. In 2018, Schneider impressed yet another jury with its unique click system when it was selected from 229 submissions for the Promotional Gift Award 2018.

OPI MAGAZINE n WWW.OPI.NET n 27

CSR n INITIATIVES

GIVING BACK

A snapshot of some of the corporate social responsbility (CSR) programmes that companies in the OP sector are involved in Sustainable Food Policy Alliance launches in the US

Four of the largest food companies in the US have launched the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, an organisation focused on driving progress in public policies that shape what people eat and how it impacts their health, communities and the planet. The founding members are Danone North America, Mars Incorporated, Nestlé USA, and Unilever United States.

All four firms have already made broad updates to their portfolios in recent years, collectively and voluntarily advancing issues like sodium reduction, responsible marketing, and lessening their impact on the planet, including cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of the new alliance, member companies will prioritise US public policy advocacy and action in five key areas: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Consumer transparency: improving the quality and accessibility of information available to customers about the food they purchase for themselves and their families.

Environment: advocating for innovative, science-based solutions to take action against the costly impact of climate change, build more resilient societies, promote renewable energy, and further develop sustainable agriculture systems.

Food safety: ensuring the quality and safety of food products and the entire global supply chain.

Nutrition: developing and advocating for policies that help people make better informed food choices which contribute to healthy eating while supporting sustainable environmental practices.

People and communities: advancing policies that promote a strong, diverse and healthy workplace and support the supply chain, including rural economies.

When the alliance was launched, nutrition labelling was one of the issues identified as high priority. Updates in this area will help consumers make better choices. Another urgent topic was a focus on advancing climate policies that are impactful for the environment, while accounting for the specific business imperatives of supply chains, including farmers, ranchers and other producers.

In a joint statement, the CEOs and presidents of the four founding companies said: “The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance was founded on the principle that food companies can and should be doing more to lead and drive positive policy action for the people who buy and enjoy the foods and beverages we make, the people who supply them, and the planet on which we all rely. We are committed to a collaborative approach and to listen and learn about issues affecting all parts of our food system from the field to the store shelf and beyond.”

28 n GREEN THINKING 2018

Sid Lerman to be honoured for VOA-GNY work

The Weeks Lerman Group (TWLG) CEO Sid Lerman was recently on hand to spend time with the children and volunteers at Operation Backpack, an annual programme that distributes new backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies to homeless New York City children, and is run by Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY).

TWLG has been a tier one sponsor of VOA-GNY for several years, and every year the CEO can be found on the front lines.

In 2018, the organisation is honouring Lerman for all his years of staunchly supporting its mission at the 23rd VOA-GNY Annual Gala on 3 December at The Plaza in New York.

Operation Backpack is just one of the many communitybased programmes TWLG supports – the dealer's staff are frequently involved in other impactful community initiatives, including Adapt Community Network (formerly UCP), Services for the Underserved and Breaking Ground.

Pentel supports Prostate Cancer UK

Pentel has raised over £500,000 ($557,000) in support of Prostate Cancer UK. The milestone figure has been reached by selling more than two million special edition pens produced by the manufacturer, sales of which prompt a donation to men’s health charity, Prostate Cancer UK.

Pentel first partnered with the charity in 2009, initially supporting it by donating money raised by sales of a bluebarrelled ballpoint pen called LineStyle. But the company’s bestselling product by far is the EnerGel Xm Retractable rollerball pen and this has now become Pentel’s ‘charity pen’ of choice. Its recommended retail price is £2.99 and for every white-barrelled EnerGel Xm pen sold, £0.25 is donated.

Pentel Marketing Manager Wendy Vickery said: “We are absolutely delighted that, with the enthusiasm and support of our customers – especially Clintons – we’ve raised over £500,000 for Prostate Cancer UK through sales of our special edition pens. This type of cancer has become the third biggest cancer killer in the UK, and this has made us more determined than ever to continue to support the excellent work of [this charity], to help fund projects to raise awareness of the disease and improve the quality of life for men living with a diagnosis.

“Our efforts won’t stop now we’ve reached this significant figure. We’ll keep going, setting new goals and hopefully raising much more money to support Prostate Cancer UK and the fantastic work that they do. Next step, £1 million!”

JM Smucker makes CSR progress

US beverages and snacks vendor JM Smucker has published its 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report. Highlights from the report include: • Advancement towards its 2020 environmental impact goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, and increasing the waste it diverts from landfills.

• In-depth programmes to responsibly source eight key ingredients: coffee, fruit, palm oil, peanuts, pepper, quinoa, seafood and specialty corn.

• Five years of progress expanding its coffee sustainability programme: Smucker’s achieved its goal to source 10% of its total retail coffee from certified green coffee sources, positively impacted 16,500 small coffee farmers, improved 19,950 hectares of coffee farmland, and drove a 39% increase in coffee yield productivity from existing coffee farmland.

• A continued commitment to maintaining a fully sustainable palm oil supply chain that ensures 100% of its direct palm oil purchases are from certified sources.

• The strengthening of its responsible sourcing programme.

• The donation of more than 20 million meals in 2017 to humans and pets in need.

CSR n INITIATIVES Walmart fights food waste

Walmart's corporate philanthropic arm, The Walmart Foundation, is making $1.5 million available to fund proposals from eligible non-profit organisations that are working to reduce food waste in Canada. The foundation is seeking proposals from qualified firms with experience in formulating, proposing and implementing food waste reduction efforts. Requests between $300,000 and $1,000,000 will be considered.

This type of waste is an urgent global issue, with substantial repercussions in terms of both food security and the environment.

This latest grant announcement is part of the Walmart Foundation's wider commitment to award $15 million to companies that help reduce food waste and strengthen food banks in Canada.

It also builds on the retailer's commitment to reduce refuse in its own operations and achieve zero waste in key markets by 2025. Walmart Canada's commitment, for example, includes selling food that is nearing its ‘best before’ date at a discounted price as part of a 'customer value programme'. The retailer has also donated more than 14.5 million lbs (6.7 million kg) of food across the country through a diversion programme which pairs Walmart Canada stores with a local food bank, aligning with the company's commitment to provide four billion meals globally.

Currently, 244 of Walmart Canada's stores send organic waste for composting or anaerobic digestion so it doesn't end up in municipal landfill.

In other related news, the company – due to the generosity of Walmart and Sam's Club customers – has contributed $1.1 million to Feeding America to help areas impacted by Hurricane Florence. The funds have been used to help the hundreds of thousands of children, families and senior citizens recovering from the disaster.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are long-standing partners of Feeding America, representing one of the largest donors through the Fight Hunger. Spark Change cause marketing campaign.

AmazonSmile benefits global charities

E-commerce giant Amazon has donated more than $100 million to charitable organisations through AmazonSmile. The programme is a way for customers to support their favourite charity every time they shop with Amazon, at no extra cost.

Customers who begin their shopping at smile.amazon.com find the same Amazon interface they know, with the bonus that AmazonSmile will donate a percentage – 0.5% of the net purchase price – of eligible items to the charity of their choice.

Shoppers can select from over a million charities, ranging from local and national humanitarian organisations to schools, hospitals, cultural organisations, pet shelters and many more.

Joann Ferrara is the founder of Dancing Dreams, a programme designed to allow physically and medically challenged children to be a star. A limited budget makes fundraising another challenge. Ferrara, a former gymnast and dancer and a paediatric physical therapist, teaches ballet, jazz, tap and ballroom to more than 100 Dancing Dreams performers ranging in age from 3 to 17. She said: “We’re a small, local non-profit. With the donations we receive through AmazonSmile we are able to provide a pair of ballet shoes to every boy and girl with physical needs who comes to our programme with a seemingly impossible dream to dance.”

AmazonSmile, however, has also attracted some criticism.

The German Fundraising Association, for example, last year raised concerns that Amazon is including organisations on the platform without asking for their prior consent. This can be an issue because receiving donations from Amazon is likely to contradict the donation codes of non-profit organisations that wish to remain independent of corporate support in general, or from specific types of businesses. A further concern is that consumers who support a charity through AmazonSmile might be less likely to then support it in another way.

Office Depot launches education initiative

US-based reseller Office Depot has helped thousands of students, parents and teachers go ‘back-to-school (BTS) proud’ this year through a new philanthropic programme called Start Proud! The initiative was created to help deserving individuals at schools across the US by ensuring they receive the supplies they need.

Over 20,000 backpacks, valued collectively at over $1 million, were filled by Depot staff with BTS essentials like notebooks, folders, pencils and glue. They were then distributed to students at the beginning of the 2018 school year during celebratory assemblies nationwide.

In partnership with paper and packaging manufacturers Boise Paper and Domtar, Depot also provided pallets of school supplies to teachers at each of the ten schools.

30 n GREEN THINKING 2018

EDDING n

ADVERTORIAL

SETTING THE STANDARD Edding has been awarded the first ever Blue Angel ecolabel for a highlighter

G

erman manufacturer edding has been awarded the prestigious Blue Angel ecolabel for its 24 EcoLine highlighter – the highest accolade for eco-friendliness in Germany.

This is the very first time that a marker pen has been honoured with this ecolabel, which was presented during an award ceremony held at the Federal Environment Ministry at the end of September.

The Blue Angel is only bestowed upon manufacturers that can convincingly demonstrate a commitment to saving resources, supporting the environment and protecting health. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, the Blue Angel ecolabel is familiar to many consumers and is highly influential in their decision to buy an accredited product.

The Blue Angel ecolabel is awarded by an independent jury based on the strictest environmental criteria. Says edding CEO Per Lederman: “We are absolutely delighted that our highlighter has been awarded this top-class label, and we hope that, through this product, we can play a part in preserving resources.”

STRICT CRITERIA After undergoing rigorous testing, only products that prove to be more environmentally friendly than others serving the same purpose are eligible for the label. To be considered for this award, products must be made in a resourceefficient, environmentally-friendly manner, have a long service life, contain no substances harmful to health and be easy to recycle.

At the same time, the product must be able to fulfil its intended function with a high level of quality.

The Blue Angel was first established as an ecolabel by the German government 40 years ago and has been regarded by consumers ever since as one of the most

trusted badges when it comes to sustainable products and innovation.

Anyone using products or services bearing the Blue Angel ecolabel can be sure that they are acting in an environmentally-friendly, sustainable manner while helping to create the “world of tomorrow”.

www.

blaue

r-eng

el.de/u

z200

The Blue Angel jury was suitably impressed by the outstanding eco-friendly properties of the edding 24 EcoLine highlighter ECO-FRIENDLY INSIDE AND OUT The Blue Angel jury was suitably impressed by the outstanding eco-friendly properties of the edding 24 EcoLine highlighter. Its cap and barrel are made from a minimum of 90% renewable sugarcane-based resources.

The mouth piece and filter fibres, meanwhile, are made from at least 97% recycled material. The marker is refillable, a factor which can significantly lengthen its lifespan. Even the sales packaging, made entirely of recycled cardboard, meets the stringent requirements of the German ecolabel.

There are five brilliant neon colours to choose from, ideal for highlighting texts and making notes on all kinds of paper surfaces. The edding 24 is part of the EcoLine series which, besides highlighters, also includes permanent, whiteboard and flipchart markers manufactured predominantly from recycled material.

With the trend towards eco-friendly goods continuing to grow, consumers are particularly drawn to certified items such as the edding 24 EcoLine highlighter, extra confident in the green credentials of such products.

The ecolabel is prominently displayed on markers, on packaging, at the point of sale and on all promotional materials.

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OPINION n SCOTT CASTLE

DOING YOUR BIT Scott Castle, VOW Marketing Manager and one of the BOSS Federation's Young Leaders of the Future, describes how well-placed our industry is in making a real mark on all things CSR

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e’re lucky to work in the business products industry, as we deliver products and services that people use every day, both at work and in their personal lives. With that opportunity of coming into contact with so many people also comes what you might call responsibility – a chance to give something back to our communities through our corporate social awareness and activities.

GOOD TRACK RECORD Our track record in this area is impressive. Every year in the UK, for example, a group of trekkers comprising over 100 people from the industry conquer some of the highest peaks in England’s Lake District in support of Graeme Chapman and his fundraising for the Climb of Life. We know how much the team at OPI put into this effort, as they have been the top fundraisers on several occasions, competing fiercely but in great spirit with VOW and others (see also OPI September 2018, page 46). This year, the amount raised was £103,000 ($135,000), meaning the total amount raised for the Institute of Cancer Research has surpassed £1 million.

Others also do their bit for cancer prevention fundraising – like Pentel, whose donations on the sale of various pens have raised over £1.2 million in charitable funds for Breast Cancer Now and more than £500,000 for Prostate Cancer UK (see Giving back, page 28). HP and International Paper run an end-user promotion in partnership with Think Pink Europe whereby €0.10 per ream of paper sold is donated to breast cancer charities.

Initiatives are hugely varied. VOW recently announced that it will be supporting Cash for Kids Mission Christmas this year. We have a dedicated dropoff point at our Sheffield HQ for employees to donate gifts, bringing some magic to local children who are at risk of waking up to nothing on Christmas morning.

Support also comes from the dealer community and here too projects in progress are wide-ranging. Aston

32 n GREEN THINKING 2018

& James Office Supplies is getting involved in its local community in Witney by fundraising for organisations like SeeSaw and collecting coats for the homeless. The team ask customers to let them have an unwanted coat for the homeless. Aston had a target of 100 coats and ended up collecting more than 450!

Office Oracle in London, meanwhile, fundraised for homeless charities by sleeping rough in the streets of the capital to raise much-needed money. There are countless examples across the industry of individuals and companies giving their time, energy and indeed cash to support others, and it is to be applauded.

And it must help business too. If you have the option to choose between two equally matched suppliers and one is actively involved in helping others in the community, surely even the most hardened of buyers would sway towards the one with a solid focus on corporate social responsibility?

“Sustainability issues aren't about age or experience – it is up to all of us to do our bit”

£103,000 was raised at this year's Climb

of Life in aid of the Institute of

Cancer Research

GENERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES On a specific environmental note, as so-called ‘young leaders of the future’, I and many of my generation are acutely aware of the responsibility we have to safeguard resources and protect the planet. In my view, it’s something that hasn’t been taken as seriously as it should have been in the past. Climate change issues and the serious questions highlighted, for example,

by David Attenborough's Blue Planet documentary regarding the impact of disposed plastic on marine life, certainly serve as a reminder of this.

Consumer demand is leading the way towards more sound solutions in our offerings and it is good to see trade associations such as BOSS offering forums for discussion in this area, such as the one around singleuse plastic packaging with all its complexities. Many of our younger members are getting involved in this particular hot topic.

That said, sustainability issues aren’t about age or experience – it is up to all of us to do our bit, as organisations and individuals. By doing so, we make our businesses and our environment more sustainable and better for all.

CATEGORY OVERVIEW n PAPER

PAPER

PROMISES

Despite tricky market conditions, the greening of the paper and packaging industries is gathering pace, with many operators looking to improve their environmental credentials – by David Holes

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he global paper industry continues to face headwinds, with pulp pricing, freight costs and capacity reductions all representing significant challenges in today's marketplace.

In Europe, the demand for cut-size paper is on the wane, with the latest figures showing a 7% year-onyear decline in sales – much of this is can be put down to the effect of sustained price increases.

SUSTAINABILITY SHIFT Despite the overall drop in paper usage, sustainability is playing a greater role in purchasing decisions, according to UK-based paper and packaging distributor Antalis, which is experiencing greater demand for its recycled cut-size paper. “There’s an increasing onus on businesses to demonstrate their green credentials,” says Antalis Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Matthew Botfield. “The appetite for recycled paper is growing year on year, especially for the whiter grades, which shows that customers are looking for higher quality recycled products these days.”

More than 90% of virgin fibre paper produced in Europe is currently FSC or PEFC-certified (see 'Forestry certification schemes' on page 36), but paper recycling is also an environmental success story.

“There’s an increasing onus on businesses to demonstrate their green credentials” At present, over 72.5% of paper consumed in Europe gets recycled. Most of this is then reused within the paper industry where it’s become an essential raw material, particularly for the manufacture of packaging and newsprint.

“It’s important to note that the performance of recycled paper is now very comparable to top-quality paper made from virgin fibre,” says Botfield. “The market is still fledgling, but we’re noticing a clear

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shift towards companies proactively choosing it for a wide range of applications. Brands such as Lush and Ted Baker have recently committed to using recycled paper to print their catalogues, brochures and other corporate documents.”

FULL CYCLE SUPPLY Antalis operates its own ‘Full Cycle’ project – a closed loop process for reusing waste paper from offices.

This involves businesses working together within a geographic region to ensure that post-consumer waste paper is recovered, de-inked and recycled to make new paper for reuse in those companies.

Importantly, the scheme undergoes rigorous verification through monitoring and auditing the amount of paper collected, remade and delivered back onto the market. The whole process is verified annually

by Envirosense Consulting, a third party environmental monitoring organisation. Additionally, an FSCaccredited certification body audits the mills used to remanufacture the paper every year.

Other initiatives being rolled out across the industry include the introduction of new ream wrappers without

PAPER n

the inclusion of the plastic PET layer that’s traditionally used as a barrier against moisture. A number of firms have successfully trialled these more eco-friendly, recyclable solutions and found they still offer good levels of protection.

Alternative energy supplies are also being implemented. At Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), 88% of the electricity needed for pulp making is now generated by wastewater. “We’re also thoroughly reviewing best practice in forestry,” says APP Director of Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement Europe, Dr Liz Wilks. “By looking at alternative species planting and improved management techniques to maximise growth rates and plantation yields, we will ensure raw material sustainability and maintain biodiversity in our silviculture forests.”

WWF ENVIRONMENTAL PAPER COMPANY INDEX Every two years, WWF invites 100 of the world´s largest and most strategically relevant pulp and paper manufacturers to participate in its Environmental Paper Company Index (EPCI).

The index aims to promote transparency and continual

improvement across the industry. It scrutinises the environmental aspects of each company´s policies and targets, as well as the

sustainability of its overall production processes. It also tracks the businesses’ ecological footprint over time.

The evaluation is based on voluntary data disclosure on over 50 indicators which

WWF considers important (see epci.panda.org/methodology for full details). These fall into three sub-categories which go towards the final score based on: l l l

NOT JUST TREES Instead of cutting down trees to make our paper and packaging, are there any viable alternatives that can be used? The good news is yes, and significant progress is being seen in their uptake.

Sugarcane bagasse is the fibrous matter that remains after the stalks are crushed to extract their juice. The dried residue is being used in the manufacture of pulp, but can also be used as a building material or as biofuel. For example, Veritiv, a North American paper, print, packaging and facilities supplies distributor, currently offers a packaging option known as Earth Pact which is made from 100% bagasse fibre.

Wheat and rice straw are other waste products that can be used in a similar way and are much cheaper than virgin fibre. This exploitation of agricultural residue is one of the fastest growing sectors in the paper industry around the world, but some countries have not yet embraced its possibilities – in the US, for instance, it currently only makes up less than 1% of paper production.

Cotton has been used to make paper for hundreds of years and some of the highest quality papers available today still incorporate it with the pulp, where it’s often referred to as the ‘rag’ content. Bamboo, flax and hemp are other plants that can be grown and harvested as an alternative to traditional forestry. Even

CATEGORY OVERVIEW

Impacts on forest ecosystems from fibre sourcing – 35% Emissions from manufacturing processes – 35%

Reporting and environmental management system – 30% The 2017 survey represented the fifth time that the index has been published

and it broke new ground in terms of its global reach. Together, EPCI 2017

participants from Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and North America, produced 26% of the world´s tissue, 23% of its graphic paper, 17% of its

newsprint, 9% of its packaging and 15% of its pulp. South America has taken the

lead in terms of participation this year, with the disclosure of over 50% of the total volume of pulp and paper produced in the region.

“EPCI is an excellent opportunity to prove our environmental policy is more than just words” The full results of the 35 companies that chose to take part can be found at

epci.panda.org/overall. The overall top scorer was German manufacturer Leipa,

with an impressive 91.7% rating. Leipa Managing Partner Dr Hubert Schrödinger

said: “We set ambitious environmental targets and integrate these into all areas of our business. WWF's EPCI is an excellent opportunity to prove our environmental policy is more than just words.”

paper made from excrement is available in the market, specifically elephant dung paper – although collecting sufficient quantities of the raw material to move into large-scale production could prove problematic.

PRESSURE ON PACKAGING Consumer and governmental pressure to reduce, recycle or replace traditional packaging products is having a significant effect on the industry.

In Germany, parliament is enacting tough new laws at the start of next year, with the introduction of its VerpackG legislation aimed at meeting ambitious new recycling targets. It will apply to all manufacturers, importers, distributors and online retailers placing goods onto the German market and force them to participate in a packaging collection and recovery system if they wish to continue trading in the country.

Non-compliance will mean a fine of up to €50,000 ($57,000) and a prohibition on sales.

Germany is already a world leader in recycling, achieving overall rates of 66%. By the beginning of

OPI MAGAZINE n WWW.OPI.NET n 35

CATEGORY OVERVIEW n PAPER In the UK, the ‘Choose Water’ bottle is due to launch by the end of the year. The outer case is 100% recycled paper pulp, while the waterproof lining is made from fully-sustainable materials. All elements of the bottle will completely biodegrade within a few months, without leaving behind toxic microparticles. Even the steel bottle cap will rust away within a year.

2019, it will recover and recycle 90% of plastics and has set itself the goal of recovering the same percentage of metal, glass and paper by 2022.

Alternatives to plastic packaging are also being introduced. Sealed Air has entered into an agreement with Kuraray, a Japanese chemical company, to offer food packaging materials derived from Kuraray's Plantic bio-based resins across North America.

Plantic products are predominately made from corn starch which constitutes about 80% of the total structure, providing a highly effective oxygen barrier and slowing the rate at which food perishes. Its manufacture uses less energy than traditional packaging plastics and in some countries, such as Australia, it can be recycled through standard collection streams.

FORESTRY CERTIFICATION SCHEMES FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC)

The FSC is an international, non-governmental organisation promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. Its scheme has two key components – Forest Management together with Chain of Custody (CoC) certification that tracks the timber through every stage in the supply chain from the forest to the final user.

In 2018, over 200 million hectares of forest are certified, with

35,000 CoC certificates issued. In August, the FSC launched its

‘Ecosystem Services Procedure’ which aims to create incentives for the preservation of valuable resources – such as clean

water that people source naturally – in responsibly managed forests. It will also

verify their impact on factors such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity and soil conservation – a world-first in forest certification.

PROGRAMME FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF FOREST CERTIFICATION (PEFC) PEFC is the world's largest forest certification system, primarily made up of

representatives of the forest products industry. Unlike the FSC, it is an umbrella brand incorporating 43 different national schemes, intending to make it more applicable to different types of forests.

In 2018, over 750,000 owners of 313 million hectares of forest

are certified and more than 20,000 companies have now obtained PEFC CoC certification. In line with its regular standards review, progress is being made with its CoC revision. This is expected to include: an option to use remote internal auditing in multi-

site certification; the introduction of cross-site product groups; the (re)-introduction of a claim and label for ‘pure’ material

coming from certified forests only; simplified record keeping on a supplier’s

certified status; the expansion of the PEFC Due Diligence System to cover core sustainability issues; and longer validity of credits in the volume credit method.

36 n GREEN THINKING 2018

FAST FOOD The rise of online food delivery giants such as Deliveroo – already the fastest-growing company in Europe – is fuelling ‘out-of-home’ packaging, one of the most interesting emerging markets in the global paper and pulp industry, according to APP. The company predicts that home delivery and fast food could overtake the market share of full-service restaurants by 2020.

As APP's Wilks says: “Out-of-home packaging is a key way in which businesses can interact with their customers and it’s driving fast food restaurants to upgrade their ranges, with innovative eye-catching designs. It’s also promoting the uptake of more sustainable materials – including cardboard and paper – thus conveying the message that the company is environmentally responsible.”

“Consumer demand for a more sustainable lifestyle will continue to put all companies under increasing pressure to review and improve their business practices” APP was recently named by the Business Intelligence Group as the winner of the ‘2018 Sustainability Product of the Year’ award for its Foopak Bio Natura suite of food packaging products. The range aims to replace plastic, foam and PE-coated food packaging with a fully-compostable, sustainable paperboard alternative.

It’s designed for use in both hot and cold beverage cups as well as other food packaging applications.

Tests show the material will completely break down in around 12 weeks, meaning it can be safely composted in a local facility or at home.

“This new range provides the food and restaurant industries with a comprehensive suite of compostable options and a viable solution to packaging waste and landfill,” says Wilks.

She adds: “Consumer demand for a more sustainable lifestyle will continue to put all companies under increasing pressure to review and improve their business practices, while adopting eco-friendly solutions such as this”. It’s clear that the paper and packaging industry is already responding to the challenge and this will have to continue.

PAPER n

CATEGORY OVERVIEW

FOREST PROTECTION The North American Forest Partnership (NAFP) is an organisation that promotes the responsible stewardship of the continent’s forestry resources. OPI speaks to its Executive Director Will Novy-Hildesley about the partnership’s aims, its #forestproud website and social media portals.

OPI: How would you describe the NAFP and what part does #forestproud play in its activities?

Will Novy-Hildesley: The partnership represents a highly diverse coalition of organisations aligned to proactively position its members as relevant, responsible and innovative stewards of our greatest resource: forests. By managing, harvesting and conserving them, this community is providing large-scale solutions to pressing societal challenges.

Via #forestproud, we deliver a constant pipeline of original content that supports the sector. Partners inform and subscribe to this content which is aimed at building pride in their existing employees to make them more effective ambassadors, attracting new and diverse talent to the workforce and communicating the relevance of this community to policymakers.

OPI: How is #forestproud helping to protect North American forests and what recent successes has it had?

WNH: A recent survey of the sector’s workforce showed that 62% reported they were familiar with #forestproud, with 84% of this cohort agreeing that the platform helps them tell their story. To date, we’ve more than doubled the size of our social audiences, doubled our engagement rate and quadrupled awareness of our organisation and what we do. We’re now averaging between 1-3 million impressions per month.

These numbers mean that not only are we reaching a broader audience, but our message is resonating with them to the extent that they are enthusiastically sharing the story about who we are, what we do, and why it matters to them.

For example, this year we profiled a US Forest Service ‘smokejumper’ – a firefighter who parachutes into remote areas to combat wildfires. The video has had nearly 500,000 views and recruited 750 new followers to our social channels.

It also led more than 840,000 people into watching a separate animation on wildfire that highlights the need for proactive forest management. By telling our story via compelling content through multiple channels, we are able to show how this community is providing solutions to key societal challenges.

OPI: What is the make-up of your membership and what types of interests does it represent?

WNH: The partnership is one of the most diverse organisations of its kind. Our members include private landowners and investors, forest product companies, industry and non-profit associations, conservation groups, those with recreational interests such as hunting and fishing and, last but not least, universities and forestry schools. #forestproud is a big tent open to any individuals, companies or groups that are passionate about the future of North America’s forests and are ready to work as a community to responsibly shape their future. We have several paper and packaging manufacturers in our membership, including Boise Paper, Georgia Pacific and others, as well as related groups such as the American Forest & Paper Association, and the Paper and Packaging Board.

OPI: With regard to the North American paper industry, how would you describe the current state of forest management in the US in particular and its ongoing sustainability?

WNH: There is always more to be done, but I am constantly humbled by the work this sector does to protect our forests and help us solve challenges facing society today. Its use of the latest technology and its ongoing commitment to sustainability means forests will continue to provide benefits and solutions for generations to come.

The biggest challenge for #forestproud is moving this sector from a position where it is constantly defending itself, to repositioning it as a provider of efficient, innovative and sustainable solutions to large-scale challenges around waste, energy and climate change. The good news is that the industry is already doing it. We just need to do a better job of telling this to the world.

OPI: Looking to the future, where will you focus your efforts over the next few years?

WNH: We are on the cusp of something great and need to build on the success we’ve had to date by adding even more new faces. Our content will focus on three themes in 2019: 1.

2.

3.

‘Reimagining our cities’ is an invitation to the sector to seize the initiative and proactively position itself as a community of innovators, problem-solvers and responsible stewards, providing scalable solutions to some of today’s most pressing urban challenges.

‘Rethinking our carbon future’ is a rallying point for this community to tell a unified story on carbon, bridge the gap on the complexity of the issue with key audiences, and connect the dots between forests and the innovative solutions they can provide to the many challenges around climate change.

‘Reconnecting people & forests’ will draw connections between healthy forests, clean air and water, and the importance of forest management in maintaining people’s ability to access, explore and play in them.

For more information, visit www.forestproud.org.

OPI MAGAZINE n WWW.OPI.NET n 37

CIRCULAR ECONOMY n

GOING ROUND

IN CIRCLES The long-awaited EU Circular Economy Package sets out new targets on recycling and waste management

A

s part of its ambitious plans to make Europe more sustainable, the European Commission has revised measures that will help boost the transition to a circular economy. The Circular Economy Package (CEP) includes the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy which consists of an ambitious programme that covers the whole life cycle from production and consumption to waste management and the secondary raw materials market.

Across EU member states as of two years ago, landfilling of household waste had dropped to 24%, with recycling standing at 46%. However, challenges remain and there are still significant differences between EU countries: ten still landfilled over 50% of household waste, while six incinerated 40% or more in 2016.

The EU CEP legislation has been in development since 2015 as part of the Juncker Commission and finally became law on 4 July 2018. The main focus of the policy is to prevent waste and, where this is not possible, significantly increase the recycling of municipal and packaging refuse. It requires member states to take specific measures to prioritise prevention, re-use and recycling above landfilling and incineration, making the circular economy a reality. According to the

LEGISLATION

CEP: “In order to make the economy truly circular, it is necessary to take additional measures on sustainable production and consumption, by focusing on the whole life cycle of products in a way that preserves resources and closes the loop.”

European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella said: “The final approval of new EU waste rules by the Council marks an important moment for the circular economy in Europe. The new recycling and landfilling targets set a credible and ambitious path for better waste management in Europe. Our main task now is to ensure that the promises enshrined in this waste package are administered. The Commission will do all it can to support member states and make the new legislation deliver on the ground.”

HITTING TARGETS The recycling targets for municipal waste for member states are: 55% by 2025, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035. In addition, there will be stricter rules applied for calculating recycling rates to help better monitor real progress towards the circular economy.

“The new recycling and landfilling targets set a credible and ambitious path” Building on the separate collection for paper and cardboard, glass, metals and plastic, new rules will boost the quality of secondary raw materials and uptake of hazardous household waste being collected separately by 2022, bio-waste by 2023 and textiles by 2025. The new recycling targets for packaging waste by 2030 are: all packaging (70%), plastic (55%), wood (30%), ferrous metals (80%), aluminium (60%), glass (75%), and paper and cardboard (85%). Additionally, in the process of phasing out landfilling, the amount of municipal waste landfilled must be reduced to 10% or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated.

The new legislation also expects more effective economic instruments and other measures in support of the waste hierarchy: “The general minimum requirements should reduce costs and boost performance, as well as ensure a level playing field, including for small and medium-sized enterprises and e-commerce enterprises, and avoid obstacles to the smooth functioning of the internal market. They should also contribute to the incorporation of end-oflife costs into product prices and provide incentives for producers when designing their products, to take better into account recyclability, reusability, reparability and the presence of hazardous substances.”

Accordingly, it will include new requirements for Extended Producer Responsibility schemes to improve performance and governance. By 2024, these programmes will be mandatory for all packaging.

For the full revision, read the Official Journal of the European Union Vol 61 14 June 2018.

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FEATURE n SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

CHAIN REACTION How do you integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across your business? OPI finds out…

A

recent webinar hosted by business intelligence firm Ethical Corp discussed how to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within a business and its supply chain.

The SDGs are a blueprint for “peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future”, according to the UN. There are 17 goals with 169 targets designed to eradicate poverty, improve health and education for all, reduce inequality and stimulate economic growth, while simultaneously addressing climate change and saving our forests and oceans.

Businesses of all sizes, no matter the industry, play a vital role in helping the world achieve the SDGs. This can be achieved by companies incorporating as many of the goals as possible within their own operations and strategies, while also ensuring that all partners throughout the supply chain play their role too.

Taking part in the discussion on the UN SDGs and the supply chain were: Munish Datta, Head of Plan A & Facilities Management, Marks & Spencer; Jon Koo, Innovation Partner, Interface; Aris Vrettos, Director,

40 n GREEN THINKING 2018

Open Programmes and International Markets, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership; and Anna Swaithes, Sustainability Adviser/Former Sustainable Development Director, SABMiller.

A key issue that arose during the webinar was the importance of education, not just regarding the SDGs but sustainability in general. “One of the biggest challenges is education as it becomes a catalyst for everything else, and a priority over the next few years revolves around the SDGs,” said Datta.

LESSONS LEARNT Associating the goals with existing sustainability programmes is also a key element for large corporations as Swaithes explained: “We looked at how the SDGs could be tracked with our internal framework and realised there were two opportunities: to drive internal awareness of our [environmental] agenda in connection with our wider global programme, and use the goals as a basis for a systematic assessment of what our own sustainability objectives should be.”

In undergoing the evaluation, there was a realisation that SDGs shape what a business is, what it and its employees care about, and promote more understanding of what a society needs. Swaithes said there were four key lessons that were learnt: 1. A business can’t cherry-pick certain goals as they are all interconnected.

2. There is a need for partnerships to achieve any impact against the goals.

3. Companies must be prepared to change current business models.

4. Measurement of the impact of the SDGs on the business is vital.

The need for partnerships in achieving the goals is imperative (and is also No 17 – Partnerships for the Goals), but they also provide an opportunity to engage with manufacturers, suppliers and customers, according to Koo, who said that it is important to know whether the SDGs are held in a bubble at leadership level or stuck within a certain department. Vrettos added that it is essential that the development goals move to the centre of an organisation.

“The cost of inaction on the SDGs willl leave us unresponsive to future climatic events, which will affect both our own business and our suppliers” Of course, like most big ideas, it is easier said than done. However, the goals offer a comprehensive framework to deal with the macro issues across the supply chain. “The cost of inaction on the SDGs will leave us unresponsive to future climatic events, which will affect both our own business and our suppliers. If we’re not ready for the changes that come with this, we will be left stranded,” said Datta.

For smaller businesses wishing to engage with the goals, Vrettos suggested creating ‘champions’ to bring together buyers and suppliers to have conversations about the challenges, opportunities and best practices.

“You need to work both vertically and horizontally.

Partnerships that you think would never exist are often the most fruitful, especially when they involve smaller companies and institutions. You just to be openminded in order to make them,” explained Datta.

The main point is to start aligning business operations and strategy with the SDGs and prioritise the ones that the organisation will be able to make a positive impact with. Form partnerships that can help achieve the goals, particularly throughout the supply chain, and ensure full company buy-in from top management downward.

SPOTLIGHT n ECO GUARDIAN

BECOMING AN

ECO GUARDIAN To be a world leader in innovation, design and the manufacturing of environmentallyfriendly products – that’s Eco Guardian’s goal.

Ambitious and audacious, yes, but from tiny seeds grow mighty trees

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he dangers of single-use plastic are much documented, in the global mainstream media and in these pages, of course. Anil Abrol first realised the threat over 15 years ago – and founded Eco Guardian to help alleviate it. OPI’s Heike Dieckmann speaks to Abrol to find out more about this small Canada-based operator that is making steady progress in educating its distributor partners and customers about the benefits – and necessity – of compostable alternatives.

OPI: Please tell me a bit about Eco Guardian and yourself – what is the background?

Anil Abrol (AA): Sure. I was born and raised in India and that's where I received my accountancy qualification. In 1991, I moved to Thailand to work as an accountant for Asian petrochemical and textile firm Indorama. During my time with the company, I took the opportunity to relocate to Ireland, then to the UK and finally to Canada at the beginning of 2004.

After living in Canada for almost a year, and working nearly 20 years for someone else, I was thinking about starting my own business. I had several ideas, but when I saw a thin plastic bag lying on the side of the street, I found my calling, so to speak. That's when Eco Guardian was born; it started with a plan to reduce the consumption of plastic bags specifically and single-use plastic in general.

That small item I saw reminded me of the pollution caused by plastic bags that I had witnessed in Ireland.

When I lived there in the 1990s, it was one of the most polluted countries in Western Europe. Since then, the Irish government has made some drastic changes and conditions have become much better. But in Canada in 2004, all the grocery stores and retailers still used plastic or paper bags and there was no public awareness at all of the environmental problems that they caused.

OPI: What was Eco Guardian’s initial product?

AA: The first line of products was reusable shopping bags.

OPI: Was your idea an easy sell?

AA: Not at all. We aimed for the top and failed miserably in the first 4-6 months. Certainly, in the big nationwide grocery chains, it takes a long time to move the needle in terms of changing working practices. As a result, we

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changed tactics and approached smaller, independent stores in our local area. The reception we received was more positive and, as you can imagine, these operators were also more flexible and nimbler.

We soon realised, of course, that a single product was not going to take the business to a level that we wanted to achieve, so we looked at alternatives for styrofoam and single-use plastic items. We started developing some compostable products made from sugarcane, bamboo and wheat straw – that was in 2009, the year revenues began to take off.

A year later, we launched our first eco-friendly single-use compostable dinnerware private label brand. The name is Eversio – it was made (and still is) specifically for the healthcare sector.

In 2014, we finally started working with some big distributors to sell our products and that's when we started to see profits. We haven’t looked back and since 2016, we have been on the list of the 500 fastest-growing companies in Canada for three consecutive years.

OPI: How does the company look now, in terms of revenues, staff, geographies, etc?

AA: We are reaching our sales goals every year, but we’re still small and growing. We’re based in Newmarket, Ontario, but have a small presence in the US and are currently expanding to the European market. We started with a team of two people, but now have a diverse team of 27, four of them based in Asia.

We have very close links with Asia and partnerships with 14 factories overall.

OPI: Are all your products imported from Asia?

AA: Yes, they are, mainly from China and Taiwan. We have excellent relationships with our partners there.

In fact, one of our core differentiating factors is the quality of our products – we have our own inspection teams in Asia, ensuring that everything we sell is of the highest standard.

ECO GUARDIAN n

OPI: Who are your customers?

AA: We mainly sell through regional and national distributors. Our end users are across multiple industries, but perhaps predominantly in the healthcare, grocery, hospitality and education sectors.

still leaves 10% that aren't, and the reason they are not compostable is that either such an option does not exist or functionally they don’t work very well, so some products are only recyclable. We are working on a plan to reduce the consumption of these items in the next three years, either by discontinuing them or by finding alternatives – all with the circular economy in mind.

OPI: You talked about differentiation already in terms of quality. What else sets you apart from the competition and some of the much bigger players in this category?

AA: Well, we obviously compete with all the manufacturers that make food service and tableware items for various industries. Where we are different is that the vast majority of what we produce is compostable – that is our USP. Other companies may promote their eco-friendly product lines, but this cannibalises the sales of their primary plastic items – the message and outlook are entirely different.

I would also credit our success to our extraordinary team. We all have the same essential values and work together closely on our strategy to extend those values to our customers.

“The vast majority of what we produce is compostable – that is our USP” OPI: What’s your biggest challenge?

AA: Our biggest challenge is closing the loop in the circular economy. The facilities needed to recover compostable food packaging exist, but they are not equipped to handle the volume or geographical range. Currently, we’re seeking partnerships with waste management facilities to discover how we can overcome these difficulties together.

Another obstacle is education. Many companies are using compostable food packaging, but they aren’t offering solutions for consumers to dispose of it properly. And some of the products can be confused with paper and plastic products, so they are ending up in the recycling box, or worse, landfill.

The circular economy is imperative to Eco Guardian.

About 90% of our stock comprises compostable items.

These products come from Mother Nature and go back to Mother Nature. They are 100% recoverable. But that

SPOTLIGHT

Eco Guardian compostable cold and hot drinks cups,

plates and straws

OPI: And as you say, not enough facilities exist for recycling or composting products either…

AA: Absolutely, it’s not just about the vast number of plastic products that still end up in landfill or elsewhere. And it’s not a problem just in Canada or the US – it’s a worldwide issue. The recycling or composting facilities needed simply do not exist.

I don’t have the exact data, but broadly speaking, the total global recycling facilities can probably deal with a maximum of 10-20% of all plastic waste.

That leaves a considerable 80%+ that cannot be recycled appropriately. The problem is that recycling is kind of a dirty business. It’s also not very profitable – there is a lot more money to be made in making plastic than in recycling it and, to be quite frank, everybody looks at their bottom line. Some countries are already way ahead of Canada and the US – several European nations are probably three or four years ahead of us in their recycling programmes and abilities (see Going round in circles, page 39).

It's the same case for composting facilities – not enough of them exist. I strongly feel that the onus is on governments globally to subsidise this sector much more heavily and work more closely with the packaging industry to affect change.

OPI: What are Eco Guardian’s plans in terms of dealing with the waste that’s generated?

AA: As I mentioned, we’re trying to work more closely with existing facilities to close the loop in the compostable food packaging industry. We’re also looking for effective channels to help educate consumers and the B2C market about making improvements in the circular economy.

We know where the gaps in the loop are, but the information isn’t readily available in all areas. It’s important to sow the seed and let it germinate, so to speak. If we show the leadership and the initiative, we hope others will follow and significant changes can be achieved soon.

OPI: What about the longer term – what are your ultimate ambitions?

AA: Our ultimate goal is quite audacious: we want Eco Guardian to be a world leader in innovation, design and the manufacturing of environmentally-friendly products. We also want to be advocates for change in the way single-use food packaging is recovered. We've created our mission and core values around these goals. It will probably take 10-15 years, but we are working towards that target every quarter of every year.

And we’re definitely heading in the right direction.

OPI MAGAZINE n WWW.OPI.NET n 43

PRODUCTS n GREEN THINKING

GREENPRODUCTS There is an increasing number of green products available for the office.

Here are just a few currently on offer EP68 Carpet Cleaner 4 in 1

AVMOR EP68 Carpet Cleaner is a highly-efficient product for carpets where a neutral pH range solution is needed. It can be used for carpet extraction, bonnet buffing, carpet spotting, and as a traffic lane treatment.

The cleaner is certified to GREENGUARD Gold standards for low chemical emissions based on comprehensive criteria, including those from the US Environmental Protection Agency and Germany’s Blue Angel programme.

It is also Ecologocertified for its reduced environmental impact, and has been awarded Green Seal certification for performance, health and sustainability. The cleaner is ideal for use in offices, hotels, schools and hospitals, for example.

Compostable Coffee Cups

EDEN SPRINGS Alongside introducing a new recycling scheme for plastic and paper cups, UK-based office water and coffee supplier Eden Springs has brought out a range of fully compostable cups. The new range has been created in conjunction with eco-friendly packaging and catering disposables firm Vegware. They include single kraft and double-walled kraft coffee cups, and water containers, as well as paper cone cups. All versions need to be disposed of with food waste – not regular refuse. This ensures proper decomposition, which should take a few months.

44 n GREEN THINKING 2018

Open Plan Recycling Bins

METHOD New Zealand-based manufacturer Method offers recycling bins that have been created to integrate into modern offices with open plan and agile spaces. The recycling stations are designed to be placed where they will most naturally be used: organic bins next to the coffee machine, for example; a paper recycling receptacle by the printer; and freestanding stations where they will be most noticed.

Method believes that visible recycling bins reinforce accountability, which is a key component for progress. The company also found that the bins lead to changes in behaviour, as employees take more care over decisions and are more likely to sort waste accurately.

BarrierPack Recyclable

MONDI BarrierPack is a fullyrecyclable flexible packaging laminate designed for pre-made pouches and 'form, fill and seal' roll stock. It is lighter than PET/PE laminates of the same thickness and easily integrates into existing mechanical recycling schemes. The product was developed in direct response to the need to reduce plastic waste without compromising on quality or functionality, and it supports the circular economy.

BarrierPack has received the 2018 German Packaging Award for the sustainability category, after already winning the 2018 Plastics Recycling Europe Award for ‘Best Technology Innovation in Plastics Recycling’.

GREEN THINKING n

PRODUCTS

Recycled Plantable Pencils

TREEWISE Treewise claims to produce the "world's first plantable pencils made entirely from recycled newspapers". The pencils come with a no breakage guarantee while writing or sharpening. As no plastic or wood is used in the manufacturing of the pencils, they are effectively carbon netural.

Each pencil tip has a different seed such as tomato, chilli and coriander embedded in a capsule that can be planted after use.

The pencils also come with full instructions for planting. Treewise is aiming to turn nearly 500,000 newspapers into pencils and has invested in technology to cater to demands from worldwide markets.

The Boardroom Table

PLASTIC WHALE Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Plastic Whale fishes plastic rubbish out of the city's canals and repurposes it into office furniture.

Its boardroom table, for example, is made from layers of recycled PET felt, recycled PET foam, and FSC-certified birch wood, while the surface is made from PET felt that has been heated and pressed to give it a luxurious look and feel. Once the furniture has reached the end of its life cycle, it can be returned to the company where the materials will be re-used.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

ALLIANT COFFEE SOLUTIONS Zero-waste soft coffee pods from US-based Alliant Coffee Solutions possess highly-sustainable packaging which is certified compostable.

Building on its decades-long commitment to protecting the earth, the BPI-certified packaging creates no waste from the start of production. The coffee, filter and film that wraps each individual pod can all be thrown directly into the compost bin. The Fair Trade and USDA organic-certified coffee is also roasted in a facility that uses 100% carbon free energy harvested from natural and renewable sources such as wind, supplied by renewable green energy provider, Bullfrog Power.

Probiotic cleaning agents

GREENSPEED Netherlands-based vendor Greenspeed has introduced a new line of probiotic cleaning agents. The range meets the stringent quality requirements of the EU Ecolabel, making it the first probiotic collection that has been given this accolade.

The cleaning products consist of benign microorganic origin – good bacteria that remove dirt and odours. Once the microorganisms have been used, they re-enter the environment, where they go on to contribute to water purification while maintaining a natural microbial balance. Besides the eco-friendly aspect of the detergents, the bacteria are also capable of absorbing odour molecules and remove substances that the bad bacteria can turn into odours, making them both preventative and curative.

OPI MAGAZINE n WWW.OPI.NET n 45

OPINION n MIKE NETTER

DEMAND FOR POWER US-based ChargeTech's VP of Sales & Marketing Mike Netter looks at power consumption and how to help mitigate its environmental impact

E

nergy. A simple word that has big implications for the global environment. The decline in consumption of business supplies has matched the dramatic increase in the use of electricity in workplaces across the world. Additionally, the environment is now affected more by power grids at a local level, ie near people's home and offices, due to this rise in demand.

This is a drastic change from the time when folders, pens and binders were manufactured far away.

Moreover, the high requirement for power is expected to increase exponentially with the soaring demand for mobile phones, personal computers and other electronic devices, in turn further reducing the need for traditional office products.

While the debate rages on about how power affects the climate and the economy globally, everyone agrees that drawing continuous energy from the grid supply chain has a detrimental environmental impact.

WASTE OF ENERGY Consider that in the US alone 63% of all power produced comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Coal emits approximately 204 lbs (93 kg) of CO2 per million Btu and as more economies expand around the globe, they often have no other option than to rely on energy production through burning fuel.

Most people have no control over the source of electricity they receive – it might be supplied by a nuclear, coal or even a solar plant. Our homes, for example, are sometimes supplied by solar energy, but once we leave, power is pulled from any of the other aforementioned sources.

At this point, it’s worth mentioning that many businesses pay more for peak usage during normal

office hours. Electricity from the grid is diverted to where it is needed at that moment and power production is generally perishable. Furthermore, most electricity is also not stored. For example, only 6% of US power is stored in batteries and the majority of users don’t have access to this kind of energy to run everyday office needs. Instead, we just ‘plug-in’ to the nearest outlet under our desk, at the airport, hotel, etc.

“We just 'plug-in' to the nearest outlet under our desk, at the airport, hotel, etc”

ChargeTech

portable power outlet

46 n GREEN THINKING 2018

TAKING BACK THE POWER So how can a single user be empowered to have an impact? An efficient way to conserve energy is through the use of portable power. Power banks and the batteries in them have come a long way in the last decade and now include the AC outlet within the unit. They can supply up to 120 watts, are relatively lightweight and cost less than half of the average price of an iPad. Users can choose how they get their power and can easily charge from green energy when available, and also recharge at night when the cost of electricity is cheaper.

The portable power market is expected to grow at over 17% CAGR to around $11 billion by 2020. The ROI on a commercial power bank is fast when you consider this: micro-energy storage power banks allow users to select what grid they choose to store their energy from, and when they charge and discharge it.

Businesses can save money on utility bills by storing energy when rates are lower, and consumers have the choice of using power in a more convenient way while helping the environment.