OfficeMax Enhances Environmental Position With Paper Procurement Policy
February 19 2007 - 11:10AM
PR Newswire (US)
Consultative Process Proves Beneficial to Results NAPERVILLE, Ill.,
Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- OfficeMax today introduced its paper
procurement policy, enhancing the company's current environmental
policy by setting direct product expectations and business
relationship expectations for paper product suppliers. The
OfficeMax paper procurement policy defines performance criteria for
its product suppliers in the selection of raw materials and
production of paper products and will guide the company's actions
in support of its commitment to environmental sustainability.
OfficeMax developed the policy through a consultative process that
included viewpoints from OfficeMax associates, customers, suppliers
and environmental organizations who share our interests in the
environmental impacts of paper production. "We are proud of the
progress we made in creating this paper procurement policy," said
Ryan Vero, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer
for OfficeMax. "The inclusion of outside parties brought diverse
viewpoints and perspectives that ultimately delivered a balanced
and realistic policy that achieved our common goals." Among the
policy's stated expectations for product suppliers are the tracking
of raw materials used in the making of paper products, elimination
of products from endangered areas and discontinuation of converting
natural forests to industrial tree plantations. Through its paper
procurement policy, OfficeMax commits to creating systems to ensure
our suppliers are meeting stated expectations. "This paper
procurement policy provides meaningful incentive for our suppliers
of paper products to carefully consider environmental
sensitivities. We will continue to work with these stakeholders to
implement our commitments and achieve our important goals," said
Vero. OfficeMax has notified its suppliers about areas of concern
to two environmental groups; the Cumberland Plateau, specifically
identified by Dogwood Alliance, and First Nations' concerns about
the impact of fiber originating from Canadian forests, an issue
specifically identified by ForestEthics. OfficeMax will continue to
urge its suppliers to resolve these matters through their supply
chains. Ongoing progress achieved through the active implementation
of the OfficeMax environmental policy and paper procurement policy
will be presented in the company's annual Environmental Report.
OfficeMax promotes environmentally responsible behavior to its
customers and associates through various programs and activities.
OfficeMax was the first office product retailer to provide an ink
cartridge refill service, allowing retail customers to reuse
printer ink cartridges instead of discarding them and, thus,
reducing landfill content. Through a long-term ink cartridge
recycling incentive program, OfficeMax provided more than 500,000
reams of recycled content paper to customers. Today, OfficeMax
offers a $3 gift card for each printer ink cartridge turned in for
recycling, allowing customers greater purchase flexibility.
OfficeMax has committed to identifying and supporting
recycled-content paper and paper products with a target of 30%
average post-consumer fiber content. Among its current selection of
environmentally preferable products, OfficeMax offers recycled
content paper at all retail outlets, including the first nationally
distributed 100% post-consumer paper, and also promotes use of
recycled content paper within the company's own operations.
OfficeMax ImPress, providing print and document production services
to all OfficeMax customers, also uses recycled content paper. The
complete OfficeMax paper procurement policy, in addition to the
company's environmental policy, can be found online at
http://about.officemax.com/html/officemax_environmental_policy.shtml
. About OfficeMax(R) Incorporated OfficeMax is a leader in both
business-to-business and retail office products distribution.
OfficeMax delivers an unparalleled customer experience -- in
service, in product, in time savings, and in value -- through a
relentless focus on its customers. The company provides office
supplies and paper, print and document services, technology
products and solutions, and furniture to large, medium and small
businesses and consumers. OfficeMax customers are served by more
than 35,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, Internet and
nearly 900 superstores. OfficeMax trades on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol OMX. More information can be found at
http://www.officemax.com/ . OfficeMax Media Contact William Bonner
630 864 6066 DATASOURCE: OfficeMax CONTACT: William Bonner of
OfficeMax, +1-630-864-6066 Web site: http://www.officemax.com/
http://about.officemax.com/html/officemax_environmental_policy.shtml
Copyright