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Environmental Statement Sets New Industry Standard
Environmental Statement Sets New Industry Standard
Published 09-03-03
Submitted by Boise Cascade Corporation
With this announcement, Boise becomes the first major U.S. forest products company to adopt a comprehensive environmental statement for its operations and the first distributor of wood and paper products to extend an environmental policy to its suppliers. The statement reflects the company's heightened commitment to environmental leadership and was developed with input from groups including Rainforest Action Network, American Lands Alliance, and the National Forest Protection Alliance.
The statement highlights the major areas of Boise's environmental commitment. It affirms Boise's commitment to work with environmental groups to successfully eliminate the purchase of wood products from endangered areas. Boise also commits to give purchasing preference to suppliers who provide wood products from certified, well-managed forests whenever feasible. Among other provisions, the statement includes Boise's assurance that its purchase of logs, pulpwood, and chips will strengthen efforts to thwart illegal logging.
"This statement formalizes Boise's commitment to environmental stewardship by linking the company's broad and varied environmental activities into a unified statement," said George Harad, Boise's chairman and chief executive officer.
John Bender, senior vice president, Boise Building Solutions, said, "We are proud of the progress we've made, and gratefully acknowledge the support of our customers in this effort. Their dedication to constructive dialogue has helped us achieve the high standards this policy reflects."
"We congratulate Boise for joining the growing number of U.S. companies that have taken steps to protect the world's last remaining endangered forests. Boise's leadership will be an important catalyst in ensuring that these areas are protected for future generations," said Michael Brune, Rainforest Action Network's Executive Director.
Jennifer Krill, Old Growth Campaigns Director for Rainforest Action Network, said, "Boise has become the first American forest products company to adopt an international policy to help protect endangered forests. With such strong leadership from Boise and its customers, we expect it's only a matter of time before the rest of the industry follows suit."
Randi Spivak, Executive Director, American Lands Alliance, said, "Boise's new environmental policy offers new hope for the world's endangered forests. We applaud Boise for their commitment to completely phase out of endangered areas and to protect these vital, life supporting forests around the world."
Boise's environmental statement is available on Boise's website at www.bc.com/environment/statement.pdf.
Boise delivers office, building, and paper solutions that help our customers to manage productive offices and construct well-built homes, two of the most important activities in our society. Boise's 24,000 employees help people work more efficiently, build more effectively, and create new ways to meet business challenges. Boise also provides constructive solutions for environmental conservation by managing natural resources for the benefit of future generations. Boise had sales of $7.4 billion in 2002.
