Harvesting wood from well-managed forests is only one step of influencing positive change. We also work to set high expectations for the environmental practices of the mills, processors and printers. Suppliers are expected to follow environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, such as controlling toxic air and water emissions and managing waste systems. To encourage suppliers to move beyond the legal minimum and innovate to improve environmental performance, we are working to implement the Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT), a system that has been developed over the past two years by the Paper Working Group and with guidance from Metafore.

EPAT includes a variety of environmental metrics. In 2007, we will begin using this tool and encourage our suppliers to so the same by giving preference to those that demonstrate continuous progress toward minimizing their environmental impacts and embracing various measures. These measures include using renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and toxins, and making capital investments in improved technology.