Steps to Take

Department-by-Department Guide: Steps to ancient forest free business

Executive and Administrative Offices

Issue a company-wide policy outlining the commitment to protect old growth ancient forests through ensuring environmentally sound purchases. The Purchasing Division is most likely to feel authorized to be proactive in pursuing changes in their purchases if the policy is strongly worded, contains directives to be carried out by specific departments, and makes clear how the policy should interact with other purchasing responsibilities such as getting the lowest price.
Set an example through decisions, choices, and support for purchasing old growth free products. Employees will not take the policy seriously, for example, if the company's top executives are not willing to use recycled paper in their copiers or certified or reused wood for new construction.
Direct managers to include adherence to the policy as one of the criteria for performance evaluations.
Authorize change in letterhead and business card papers (often in collaboration with the Corporate Communications, Marketing and Design departments).
Direct managers to determine best practices for integrating computer and paper files of company documents, in order to maximize electronic storage (in collaboration with Information Systems).

Corporate Communications, Public Relations

Switch press releases, brochures, publications and annual reports to environmentally sound paper and include messaging of your company’s commitment in all of these pieces.
Approve change in letterhead and business card papers (often in collaboration with the Executive Offices, Marketing and Design departments)
When producing notepads or other products that mirror the company's identification papers (such as letterhead), use environmentally sound paper.
Offer documents such as annual reports on your company's web-page or in electronic form to those who do not need printed copies.

Graphic Design

Become familiar with the wide range and high quality of tree free, recycled, chlorine-free and FSC-certified papers.
Design from the environmentally sound papers available rather than designing a concept and then looking for a paper to fulfill it.
Design in collaboration with the printer in order to reduce paper use. The particular paper chosen, as well as the size of the printer's presses, will determine the size sheet used to print on. Small features in the design, such as bleeds and unusual shapes, can make all the difference between using the printing sheet most efficiently or creating large swaths of waste. Often small adjustments can put more pages or copies on a sheet rather than leaving blank margins several inches wide. Or large margins may be used for other collateral pieces.

Printing and Copying

Specify environmentally sound papers for copying. Solve any problems that may occur rather than discontinuing use of recycled or other old growth free papers.
All major copier manufacturers in the U.S. agree that the secret to successful paper use in their machines is good quality paper. Whether it is recycled or virgin paper is not important; both are fine. Several even design specifications for recycled paper into their engineering requirements.
A 1999 controlled study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and major equipment manufacturers such as Canon U.S.A., Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lexmark International, along with the U.S. Government Printing Office, found that 30% postconsumer content recycled paper performs just as well as virgin paper or lower percentage recycled paper.
Use double-sided copying whenever possible. Set the machine's default to duplex. (This will still allow single-sided copying to be chosen.)
Become familiar with the wide range and high quality of tree free, recycled, chlorine-free and FSC-certified printing papers. Use them as your house sheets.
Advise designers on how their design plans can save or waste printing paper. Encourage designers to "work backwards from the printing press." Help them choose environmentally sound papers that are available in sizes that fit your presses and maximize their design's efficient use of paper. Or advise them on ways that their design can be modified or enhanced to save paper, based on the paper sizes available in the paper they have chosen.
Print documents on-demand rather than reproducing them in large numbers for storage.

Human Resources

Issue guidelines for job performance evaluations that include criteria assessing the extent to which empoyees and managers have integrated fulfilling the policy into their work.
Assess forms to reduce paper waste: double side multi-page forms, consolidate forms to eliminate duplication, eliminate unneeded extra pages, computerize forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible.
When specifying products such as calendars, datebooks or others, request environmentally sound materials.

Legal

Specify environmentally sound paper for all uses. (Some judicial systems, such as California's, even require all documents filed in court to be printed on recycled paper.)
Encourage implementation of the old growth free policy through existing and new language that may need legal review in bids, contracts, and purchasing implementation plans.

Advertising, Direct Mail

Print magazines and catalogs on environmentally sound paper.
Arrange for advertising in outside publications to be printed on environmentally sound paper.
Consider placing an ad in major publications that showcases your company's philosophy about using only old growth free products.
Print magazine "blow-in" reply cards on environmentally sound paper.
Specify environmentally sound materials for samples, packaging, and collateral papers.
Use environmentally sound paper for direct mail, including letters, envelopes and reply cards.
Use two-way envelopes (the same envelope can be used for both send and return) when response is required.
Include identification of the type of paper used (recycled, tree free, FSC-certified) on all printed pieces, to educate customers and vendors about the high quality papers available and your company's environmental commitment.

Sales, Marketing, Promotions, Shows, Events, Public Relations

Pursue changing letterhead and business cards to environmentally sound paper, as part of promoting your company's environmental responsibility. Identify environmental features at the bottom of letterhead and cards, such as recycled or tree free content, chlorine free, etc. Some (not all) environmental papers cost more than their virgin alternatives. The extra cost may be well worth the marketing advantage.
Assess forms to reduce paper waste: double side multi-page forms, consolidate forms to eliminate duplication, eliminate unneeded extra pages, computerize forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible. Request environmentally sound paper for forms.
Specify environmentally sound materials for promotional products and gifts, as well as for their wrapping and packaging.
Use old growth free wood or alternative materials for building booths and displays. Specify environmentally sound fabrics for coverings.
Use environmentally sound cups, plates, and napkins for corporate meetings and events.
Slide and movie film is made from cellulose. Check whether your film supplier has verified that its product is ancient forest fiber free.

Financial, Payroll

Assess forms to reduce paper waste: double side multi-page forms, consolidate forms to eliminate duplication, eliminate unneeded extra pages, computerize forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible. Request environmentally sound paper for forms.
Use two-way envelopes (the same envelope can be used for both send and return) for billings instead of separate outgoing and reply envelopes.
Use non-window or open-window envelopes for payroll checks rather than acetate, glassine or plastic windows.

Office Support

Implement paper reduction suggestions.
Use double-sided copying whenever possible. Have copier manufacturers or service providers set the machine's default to duplex. (This will still allow single-sided copying to be chosen.)
Support the use of recycled paper in copiers. People often think that recycled paper causes more paper jams than virgin paper, but this has been shown to be untrue. A 1999 controlled study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and major equipment manufacturers such as Canon U.S.A., Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lexmark International, along with the U.S. Government Printing Office, found that 30% postconsumer content recycled paper performs just as well as virgin paper or lower percentage recycled paper.
All major copier manufacturers in the U.S. agree that the secret to successful paper use in their machines is good quality paper. Whether it is recycled or virgin paper is not important; both are fine. Several even design specifications for recycled paper into their engineering requirements.

Information Systems

Assist departments in computerizing forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible.
Train employees in use of e-mail and e-mail storage to reduce printouts.
Assist management in developing the best practices for integrating computer and paper files for company documents, in order to maximize electronic storage.
Request environmentally sound paper for continuous feed, copying and printing.
Negotiate with vendors for reduced and environmentally sound packaging, including pallets.

Purchasing, Procurement

Invite vendors to join in the education and exploration process to assure old growth-free products.
Audit suppliers to determine which products currently purchased may contain old growth fibers.
Become familiar with alternative products and suppliers. Include these vendors on bid lists.
Substitute environmentally sound products, including FSC-certified, whenever possible. Some product purchases are based on specifications from other departments, which must first agree to change them. But many purchases, such as filing supplies, notepads, calendars, fax paper and other office products, can be switched to environmentally sound choices without users even noticing the difference.
Re-evaluate all specifications and bid requirements to eliminate biases against alternative materials. For example, specifications for "all new" products should clarify that recycled and remanufactured products that meet performance requirements are allowed. If specifying by "brand name" or "brand name or equal," be sure that the brands listed meet your environmental policy requirements.
Use functional rather than design specifications, to allow the use of alternative materials that meet performance requirements, sometimes in ways different from traditional designs.
Buy printers and copiers that are easily capable of functioning in double-sided mode. If policies and/or users agree, have them preset to default to double-sided. Choose copiers with high duplexing speeds and ease of use.
Evaluate ownership cost in determining a product's true cost in competition with another. Ownership cost means the total costs you can expect to pay during the product's life cycle, including, but not limited to, acquisition, extended warranties, operation, supplies, maintenance, disposal costs, and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives.
Request that vendors deliver products in minimized and environmentally sound packaging, including pallets.

Environmental Compliance

Lead a company-wide source reduction campaign.
Get samples of products for departments to try. Product end-users and specifiers may be reluctant to switch products only because they are not yet familiar and comfortable with the potential alternatives. Most manufacturers are glad to provide samples for companies likely to place large orders if the product is acceptable.
Assist Purchasing and other departments in auditing their suppliers.
Produce educational programs to inform all employees about the issues, alternatives, solutions, and potentials in using old growth free products. An ongoing education program is particularly important for anyone authorized to make purchases (which may mean thousands of employees if your company uses purchase cards) and for new employees. Others need reminding, too. Their support for ancient forest free product purchases will encourage purchasers to be more aggressive in implementing the policy.

Laboratories

Filters often must be made to exacting specifications. Add the specification that they must also be ancient forest fiber free.
Specify environmentally sound tissue, towel, hairnets and clean-up rag products.
Consider switching to jumbo roll towels, which studies have shown are used less wastefully than folded towels.

Janitorial and Maintenance

Specify environmentally sound tissue, towel and clean-up rag products. If one product does not meet acceptance, switch to another environmentally sound brand. There are many to choose from, in a wide range of characteristics and costs.
Consider switching to jumbo roll towels in restrooms, laboratories and clean-up areas. People use few roll towels than folded, and roll towels require less storage space, packaging and labor. Towel vendors can provide calculation models to project savings based on specific corporate usage patterns.

Building Operations and Renovations

Specify that building contractors must use environmentally sound products for contract work with your company.
Specify FSC-certified furniture or use of alternative materials.
Specify non-woodpulp or FSC-certified fabrics for wall panels and furniture. (Rayon and some other fabrics are made from wood pulp.)
When using wood panels, framing, and other wood products, make sure that it is FSC-certified. Consider using products made from non-wood or recycled materials
Request minimized and environmentally sound packaging for products delivered from vendors, including pallets.

Building Design, Architects, Retail Design

Specify FSC-certified wood products, salvaged wood, and alternative, non-wood products (such as agri-fiber, steel, recycled content plastic lumber, tiles) in design projects.
Allow or design-in changes required for some alternative materials, such as altered support requirements for recycled plastic lumber decking.
Specify environmentally sound materials in designing and building displays.
Request minimized and environmentally sound packaging for products delivered from vendors, including pallets.

Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance

Specify wood chips that are old-growth fiber free or use alternative ground covers.
Specify non-wood alternatives for benches, tables, barrels, decking, walkways, fences. (Options may include recycled plastic lumber or stone.)
Specify FSC-certified products when wood is required or desired.

Food Service

Provide reusable, washable cups, dishes, utensils and trays whenever possible, plus practical ways to get them washed.
Specify recycled-content napkins, bags, packaging, tissue, smocks, hats, hairnets, and paper products when reusable is not feasible.
Eliminate unnecessary paper products, such as tray liners.
Request products in bulk sizes to reduce packaging.

Fleet Management

Specify environmentally sound towel and clean-up rag products.
Assess forms to reduce paper waste: double side multi-page forms, consolidate forms to eliminate duplication, eliminate unneeded extra pages, computerize forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible. Specify environmentally sound paper for forms.
Request products in bulk sizes to reduce packaging.
Request that vendors deliver products in minimized and environmentally sound packaging, including pallets.

Contractors

Many corporate functions may be contracted to outside businesses. The company's procurement influence extends to these services, as well.

Require that printers and copying services use paper consistent with your policy.
Require janitorial services to provide tissue and towel products consistent with your policy.
Require building contractors and renovators to use wood and wood products consistent with your policy. If contractors are dismantling corporate property, require them to use deconstruction and to reuse the salvaged wood and fixtures to the greatest extent possible.
If contract employees are authorized to order their own furniture and other products, make sure they follow the company's environmental policy.

Product Design, Packaging Design

Manufacturers have a powerful opportunity to influence a market change away from using old growth fibers. Reviewing the materials they use in making their products and switching to environmentally sound materials will:

Send the message that cutting ancient forest timber is an unnecessary and unacceptable method of providing for today's production needs.
Encourage sustainable wood harvesting and the foresters and companies that implement it.
Educate consumers and major purchasers about the importance of buying old growth free products.
Provide environmentally sound choices for people who want to buy old growth free products.
Showcase the manufacturer's commitment to environmental responsibility.

The range of wood-derived products that manufacturers may be using is enormous. All of them are important to reassess, including:

Specify FSC-certified wood or alternative materials for all wood uses.
Many food products contain additives made from wood pulp. These may be replaceable with more environmentally sound alternatives, such as vegetable or other fiber additives, or it may be feasible to eliminate the additive.
Design packaging to reduce waste. Specify recycled content and other environmentally sound packaging, or eliminate it when possible. Design cushioning into the product so that it needs less packaging for shipment.
Reassess shipping processes. Can pallets be replaced by slip sheets? Are the pallets you use reusable and are they actually recovered for reuse? Can wooden crates and pallets be replaced by other types of non-wood packaging?

Buying Products for Sale

Audit the manufacturers you buy from about the forest sources for their materials. Specify that materials used in the products you sell must be old growth free.
Specify reduced and environmentally sound packaging.

Shipping, Mailroom

Use just enough packaging to protect the product during shipping and delivery, but not excess.
Use environmentally sound materials when cushioning is needed.


	Department-by-Department Guide: Steps to ancient forest free business Executive and Administrative Offices Issue a company-wide policy outlining the commitment to protect old growth ancient forests through ensuring environmentally sound purchases. The Purchasing Division is most likely to feel authorized to be proactive in pursuing changes in their purchases if the policy is strongly worded, contains directives to be carried out by specific departments, and makes clear how the policy should interact with other purchasing responsibilities such as getting the lowest price. Set an example through decisions, choices, and support for purchasing old growth free products. Employees will not take the policy seriously, for example, if the company's top executives are not willing to use recycled paper in their copiers or certified or reused wood for new construction. Direct managers to include adherence to the policy as one of the criteria for performance evaluations. Authorize change in letterhead and business card papers (often in collaboration with the Corporate Communications, Marketing and Design departments). Direct managers to determine best practices for integrating computer and paper files of company documents, in order to maximize electronic storage (in collaboration with Information Systems). Corporate Communications, Public Relations Switch press releases, brochures, publications and annual reports to environmentally sound paper and include messaging of your company’s commitment in all of these pieces. Approve change in letterhead and business card papers (often in collaboration with the Executive Offices, Marketing and Design departments) When producing notepads or other products that mirror the company's identification papers (such as letterhead), use environmentally sound paper. Offer documents such as annual reports on your company's web-page or in electronic form to those who do not need printed copies. Graphic Design Become familiar with the wide range and high quality of tree free, recycled, chlorine-free and FSC-certified papers. Design from the environmentally sound papers available rather than designing a concept and then looking for a paper to fulfill it. Design in collaboration with the printer in order to reduce paper use. The particular paper chosen, as well as the size of the printer's presses, will determine the size sheet used to print on. Small features in the design, such as bleeds and unusual shapes, can make all the difference between using the printing sheet most efficiently or creating large swaths of waste. Often small adjustments can put more pages or copies on a sheet rather than leaving blank margins several inches wide. Or large margins may be used for other collateral pieces. Printing and Copying Specify environmentally sound papers for copying. Solve any problems that may occur rather than discontinuing use of recycled or other old growth free papers. All major copier manufacturers in the U.S. agree that the secret to successful paper use in their machines is good quality paper. Whether it is recycled or virgin paper is not important; both are fine. Several even design specifications for recycled paper into their engineering requirements. A 1999 controlled study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and major equipment manufacturers such as Canon U.S.A., Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lexmark International, along with the U.S. Government Printing Office, found that 30% postconsumer content recycled paper performs just as well as virgin paper or lower percentage recycled paper. Use double-sided copying whenever possible. Set the machine's default to duplex. (This will still allow single-sided copying to be chosen.) Become familiar with the wide range and high quality of tree free, recycled, chlorine-free and FSC-certified printing papers. Use them as your house sheets. Advise designers on how their design plans can save or waste printing paper. Encourage designers to "work backwards from the printing press." Help them choose environmentally sound papers that are available in sizes that fit your presses and maximize their design's efficient use of paper. Or advise them on ways that their design can be modified or enhanced to save paper, based on the paper sizes available in the paper they have chosen. Print documents on-demand rather than reproducing them in large numbers for storage. Human Resources Issue guidelines for job performance evaluations that include criteria assessing the extent to which empoyees and managers have integrated fulfilling the policy into their work. Assess forms to reduce paper waste: double side multi-page forms, consolidate forms to eliminate duplication, eliminate unneeded extra pages, computerize forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible. When specifying products such as calendars, datebooks or others, request environmentally sound materials. Legal Specify environmentally sound paper for all uses. (Some judicial systems, such as California's, even require all documents filed in court to be printed on recycled paper.) Encourage implementation of the old growth free policy through existing and new language that may need legal review in bids, contracts, and purchasing implementation plans. Advertising, Direct Mail Print magazines and catalogs on environmentally sound paper. Arrange for advertising in outside publications to be printed on environmentally sound paper. Consider placing an ad in major publications that showcases your company's philosophy about using only old growth free products. Print magazine "blow-in" reply cards on environmentally sound paper. Specify environmentally sound materials for samples, packaging, and collateral papers. Use environmentally sound paper for direct mail, including letters, envelopes and reply cards. Use two-way envelopes (the same envelope can be used for both send and return) when response is required. Include identification of the type of paper used (recycled, tree free, FSC-certified) on all printed pieces, to educate customers and vendors about the high quality papers available and your company's environmental commitment. Sales, Marketing, Promotions, Shows, Events, Public Relations Pursue changing letterhead and business cards to environmentally sound paper, as part of promoting your company's environmental responsibility. Identify environmental features at the bottom of letterhead and cards, such as recycled or tree free content, chlorine free, etc. Some (not all) environmental papers cost more than their virgin alternatives. The extra cost may be well worth the marketing advantage. Assess forms to reduce paper waste: double side multi-page forms, consolidate forms to eliminate duplication, eliminate unneeded extra pages, computerize forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible. Request environmentally sound paper for forms. Specify environmentally sound materials for promotional products and gifts, as well as for their wrapping and packaging. Use old growth free wood or alternative materials for building booths and displays. Specify environmentally sound fabrics for coverings. Use environmentally sound cups, plates, and napkins for corporate meetings and events. Slide and movie film is made from cellulose. Check whether your film supplier has verified that its product is ancient forest fiber free. Financial, Payroll Assess forms to reduce paper waste: double side multi-page forms, consolidate forms to eliminate duplication, eliminate unneeded extra pages, computerize forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible. Request environmentally sound paper for forms. Use two-way envelopes (the same envelope can be used for both send and return) for billings instead of separate outgoing and reply envelopes. Use non-window or open-window envelopes for payroll checks rather than acetate, glassine or plastic windows. Office Support Implement paper reduction suggestions. Use double-sided copying whenever possible. Have copier manufacturers or service providers set the machine's default to duplex. (This will still allow single-sided copying to be chosen.) Support the use of recycled paper in copiers. People often think that recycled paper causes more paper jams than virgin paper, but this has been shown to be untrue. A 1999 controlled study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and major equipment manufacturers such as Canon U.S.A., Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lexmark International, along with the U.S. Government Printing Office, found that 30% postconsumer content recycled paper performs just as well as virgin paper or lower percentage recycled paper. All major copier manufacturers in the U.S. agree that the secret to successful paper use in their machines is good quality paper. Whether it is recycled or virgin paper is not important; both are fine. Several even design specifications for recycled paper into their engineering requirements. Information Systems Assist departments in computerizing forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible. Train employees in use of e-mail and e-mail storage to reduce printouts. Assist management in developing the best practices for integrating computer and paper files for company documents, in order to maximize electronic storage. Request environmentally sound paper for continuous feed, copying and printing. Negotiate with vendors for reduced and environmentally sound packaging, including pallets. Purchasing, Procurement Invite vendors to join in the education and exploration process to assure old growth-free products. Audit suppliers to determine which products currently purchased may contain old growth fibers. Become familiar with alternative products and suppliers. Include these vendors on bid lists. Substitute environmentally sound products, including FSC-certified, whenever possible. Some product purchases are based on specifications from other departments, which must first agree to change them. But many purchases, such as filing supplies, notepads, calendars, fax paper and other office products, can be switched to environmentally sound choices without users even noticing the difference. Re-evaluate all specifications and bid requirements to eliminate biases against alternative materials. For example, specifications for "all new" products should clarify that recycled and remanufactured products that meet performance requirements are allowed. If specifying by "brand name" or "brand name or equal," be sure that the brands listed meet your environmental policy requirements. Use functional rather than design specifications, to allow the use of alternative materials that meet performance requirements, sometimes in ways different from traditional designs. Buy printers and copiers that are easily capable of functioning in double-sided mode. If policies and/or users agree, have them preset to default to double-sided. Choose copiers with high duplexing speeds and ease of use. Evaluate ownership cost in determining a product's true cost in competition with another. Ownership cost means the total costs you can expect to pay during the product's life cycle, including, but not limited to, acquisition, extended warranties, operation, supplies, maintenance, disposal costs, and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives. Request that vendors deliver products in minimized and environmentally sound packaging, including pallets. Environmental Compliance Lead a company-wide source reduction campaign. Get samples of products for departments to try. Product end-users and specifiers may be reluctant to switch products only because they are not yet familiar and comfortable with the potential alternatives. Most manufacturers are glad to provide samples for companies likely to place large orders if the product is acceptable. Assist Purchasing and other departments in auditing their suppliers. Produce educational programs to inform all employees about the issues, alternatives, solutions, and potentials in using old growth free products. An ongoing education program is particularly important for anyone authorized to make purchases (which may mean thousands of employees if your company uses purchase cards) and for new employees. Others need reminding, too. Their support for ancient forest free product purchases will encourage purchasers to be more aggressive in implementing the policy. Laboratories Filters often must be made to exacting specifications. Add the specification that they must also be ancient forest fiber free. Specify environmentally sound tissue, towel, hairnets and clean-up rag products. Consider switching to jumbo roll towels, which studies have shown are used less wastefully than folded towels. Janitorial and Maintenance Specify environmentally sound tissue, towel and clean-up rag products. If one product does not meet acceptance, switch to another environmentally sound brand. There are many to choose from, in a wide range of characteristics and costs. Consider switching to jumbo roll towels in restrooms, laboratories and clean-up areas. People use few roll towels than folded, and roll towels require less storage space, packaging and labor. Towel vendors can provide calculation models to project savings based on specific corporate usage patterns. Building Operations and Renovations Specify that building contractors must use environmentally sound products for contract work with your company. Specify FSC-certified furniture or use of alternative materials. Specify non-woodpulp or FSC-certified fabrics for wall panels and furniture. (Rayon and some other fabrics are made from wood pulp.) When using wood panels, framing, and other wood products, make sure that it is FSC-certified. Consider using products made from non-wood or recycled materials Request minimized and environmentally sound packaging for products delivered from vendors, including pallets. Building Design, Architects, Retail Design Specify FSC-certified wood products, salvaged wood, and alternative, non-wood products (such as agri-fiber, steel, recycled content plastic lumber, tiles) in design projects. Allow or design-in changes required for some alternative materials, such as altered support requirements for recycled plastic lumber decking. Specify environmentally sound materials in designing and building displays. Request minimized and environmentally sound packaging for products delivered from vendors, including pallets. Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance Specify wood chips that are old-growth fiber free or use alternative ground covers. Specify non-wood alternatives for benches, tables, barrels, decking, walkways, fences. (Options may include recycled plastic lumber or stone.) Specify FSC-certified products when wood is required or desired. Food Service Provide reusable, washable cups, dishes, utensils and trays whenever possible, plus practical ways to get them washed. Specify recycled-content napkins, bags, packaging, tissue, smocks, hats, hairnets, and paper products when reusable is not feasible. Eliminate unnecessary paper products, such as tray liners. Request products in bulk sizes to reduce packaging. Fleet Management Specify environmentally sound towel and clean-up rag products. Assess forms to reduce paper waste: double side multi-page forms, consolidate forms to eliminate duplication, eliminate unneeded extra pages, computerize forms and records to eliminate paper as much as possible. Specify environmentally sound paper for forms. Request products in bulk sizes to reduce packaging. Request that vendors deliver products in minimized and environmentally sound packaging, including pallets. Contractors Many corporate functions may be contracted to outside businesses. The company's procurement influence extends to these services, as well. Require that printers and copying services use paper consistent with your policy. Require janitorial services to provide tissue and towel products consistent with your policy. Require building contractors and renovators to use wood and wood products consistent with your policy. If contractors are dismantling corporate property, require them to use deconstruction and to reuse the salvaged wood and fixtures to the greatest extent possible. If contract employees are authorized to order their own furniture and other products, make sure they follow the company's environmental policy. Product Design, Packaging Design Manufacturers have a powerful opportunity to influence a market change away from using old growth fibers. Reviewing the materials they use in making their products and switching to environmentally sound materials will: Send the message that cutting ancient forest timber is an unnecessary and unacceptable method of providing for today's production needs. Encourage sustainable wood harvesting and the foresters and companies that implement it. Educate consumers and major purchasers about the importance of buying old growth free products. Provide environmentally sound choices for people who want to buy old growth free products. Showcase the manufacturer's commitment to environmental responsibility. The range of wood-derived products that manufacturers may be using is enormous. All of them are important to reassess, including: Specify FSC-certified wood or alternative materials for all wood uses. Many food products contain additives made from wood pulp. These may be replaceable with more environmentally sound alternatives, such as vegetable or other fiber additives, or it may be feasible to eliminate the additive. Design packaging to reduce waste. Specify recycled content and other environmentally sound packaging, or eliminate it when possible. Design cushioning into the product so that it needs less packaging for shipment. Reassess shipping processes. Can pallets be replaced by slip sheets? Are the pallets you use reusable and are they actually recovered for reuse? Can wooden crates and pallets be replaced by other types of non-wood packaging? Buying Products for Sale Audit the manufacturers you buy from about the forest sources for their materials. Specify that materials used in the products you sell must be old growth free. Specify reduced and environmentally sound packaging. Shipping, Mailroom Use just enough packaging to protect the product during shipping and delivery, but not excess. Use environmentally sound materials when cushioning is needed.