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Kinko's Forest-Based Products Policy Sets New Standard for Protecting The World's Forests
Kinko's Forest-Based Products Policy Sets New Standard for Protecting The World's Forests
Published 03-11-03
Submitted by FedEx Kinko's
The policy is part of Kinko's longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and was developed with input from prominent environmental groups and suppliers, including RAN and International Paper (IP).
"Kinko's new policy extends our commitment to ensuring we use forest-based products efficiently and we continue to increase the recycled content of the paper and wood products we purchase. It will also ensure that, when we must use virgin materials, they originate from well-managed, non-endangered forests," said Gary Kusin, Kinko's president and chief executive officer. "Together with our vendors, Kinko's will continuously improve our paper and wood purchasing practices, ensuring sustainable use of the planet's natural systems and resources." "Kinko's new forest-based products policy continues the company's trend of strong environmental leadership. Six years ago, Kinko's was one of America's first companies to prohibit the use of paper from old growth forests. Today, Kinko's has taken the additional steps of increasing recycling standards and setting strict guidelines to ensure its suppliers can guarantee that they are not engaged in the destruction of old growth and endangered forests, conversion of native forests, or using genetically modified trees," said Christopher Hatch, executive director for RAN, a non-profit organization that works to protect the Earth's rainforests and support the rights of their inhabitants. "Kinko's policy will have a real impact in saving the forests and provides an effective model for corporate responsibility that can help guide the growing number of American companies that are realizing it is no longer acceptable to sell wood or paper from our last remaining old growth forests."
"We were pleased to partner with Kinko's in what should be a model process for drafting an environmental purchasing policy that takes the needs of both the paper consumer and the environment i nto account," said Carl Gagliardi, IP's director of environmental business services. "Because Kinko's brought us as a major supplier together in the same forum with environmental NGOs, it could get a balanced perspective on which policies make sense and which don't. We look forward to providing Kinko's products, like our recycled content papers, and services that will help Kinko's meet the commitments in its new policy."
In addition to its own culture and history, Kinko's policy is also driven by needs of commercial customers, such as Bank of America, that increasingly favor sustainable business practices.
"The environmental practices and policies of our key suppliers is of great interest and value to Bank of America and supports our company's environmental commitment," said Robert Kee, SVP and Senior Supplier Management at Bank of America. "We expect our suppliers to be environmental leaders. We appreciate Kinko's leadership and partnership in making sure the products we use at the bank create a sustainable future that delivers value to the triple bottom line of people, profits and the planet."
Sustainable Forest Management Practices
Kinko's new vendor requirements are believed to be the first time a company has 1) incorporated firm guidelines for the forest management practices of its suppliers and 2) engaged both its vendors and the environmental community to ensure that the company is not aligning itself with suppliers that are logging or distributing products from old growth or endangered forests, converting native forests to tree plantations, or using genetically modified organisms. In addition, suppliers must guarantee and document that none of their supply sources or operations result in the logging of old growth or endangered forests.
These requirements expand on Kinko's six-year-old policy of not knowingly purchasing any paper or wood products that are derived from the harvesting of old-growth, endangered or high-conservation value forests and are the most progressive steps made by a company to date.
Use of Recycled Fiber, Wood and Alternative Materials Kinko's long-term goal is to increase the average percentage of post-consumer recycled content paper it uses to 30 percent with goals set annually and usage tracked quarterly. Kinko's goal for 2003 is to increase its post-consumer fiber use by five percent in 2003, from an industry-leading 14 to 19 percent. The policy also provides standards for identifying the use of alternative, non-wood based materials and technologies to reduce paper consumption and waste in its production processes.
Kinko's and the Environment
Kinko's concern for the environment is a natural fit for a company that was founded in 1970 - the same year as the first Earth Day celebration was held. In 1997, the company adopted the Kinko's Environmental Vision Statement, which identifies the environmental performance targets the company aims for as it serves customers. That same year, the company publicly committed to not knowingly purchasing any paper or wood products derived from the harvesting of old-growth, endangered or high conservation value forests.
The company recently adopted the Kinko's Global Commitment. With this commitment, Kinko's recognizes the need to embrace sustainable business practices that not only generate economic, social and environmental value today but also ensures access to these same values are preserved for future generations. Sustainable initiatives underway at the company include renewable energy purchases, energy conservation, use of recycled products, incorporating green building concepts into its retail locations, product stewardship guidelines for suppliers, and waste minimizing and recycling programs. One way Kinko's helps customers eliminate waste is through its commercial and retail electronic ordering, management and scanning services for just-in-time document production, including Kinko's DocStore, Kinko's Document Scanning Services and the online ordering capabilities at www.kinkos.com.
About Kinko's
Kinko's is the world's leading provider of document solutions and business services. Its global network of more than 20,000 team members and 1,100 digitally connected locations offers access to technology for color printing, finishing and presentation services, Internet access, videoconferencing, outsourcing, facilities management, Web-based printing, and document management solutions. Dallas-based Kinko's is a privately held corporation with locations in nine countries. For more information, please visit www.kinkos.com. Products, services and hours vary by location.
