xpedx Exceeds 2011 Sustainability Goals; Sets New Goals for 2012

Feb 29, 2012 2:15 PM ET

CINCINNATI, Feb. 29, 2012 / 3BL Media / PRNewswire/ -- xpedx exceeded its sustainability goals in 2011 and is already making aggressive plans for 2012. A leading business-to-business distributor of packaging, facility and printing supplies and equipment in North America, xpedx's environmental platform focuses on continuous improvement in the areas of sustainable leadership and operations as well as making, and helping its customers make, sustainable product choices.

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"We have been a leader on sustainability issues since 2007 when xpedx began helping our commercial print customers become chain-of-custody certified to the FSC, SFI and PEFC standards," said Mary Laschinger, xpedx's president. "Since then, we have broadened our environmental platform and set increasingly high goals for our business every year. Our success in 2011 reflects not just what xpedx values, but what our customers and suppliers value."

Sustainable Leadership

In 2011, xpedx worked with student teams from Net Impact to develop a sustainability survey and scorecard for its supply chain. Representatives from the Environmental Defense Fund, xpedx, and select manufacturers of products sold by xpedx, formed the review board that chose the winning entry. The survey and scorecard are in use today, and xpedx will analyze its results throughout 2012.

Sustainable Operations

In early 2011, xpedx set a goal to earn the ENERGY STAR in eight of its largest locations, surpassing its goal by qualifying for the mark in nine. xpedx's ENERGY STAR-qualified buildings save money and protect the environment because they meet strict energy performance standards, use less energy, are less expensive to operate and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than peer facilities.

xpedx also set a goal at the beginning of the year to recycle 2,400 tons of material. It achieved 109 percent of its goal, dramatically reducing the amount of material it sends to landfills throughout the U.S.

The xpedx distribution business earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay(SM) Transport Partner certificate, reflecting its commitment to improve the environmental performance of its fleet of trucks.

Sustainable Choices

Sony Corporation reinstated xpedx's certification as a Green Partner in 2011, affirming that xpedx met procurement standards outlined in Sony's Green Partner Environmental Quality Approval Program.

xpedx also established an internal procurement policy for the use of paper in marketing materials and catalogs. As a result, 95 percent of its catalogs and 85 percent of its collateral materials are sourced using certified papers.

Throughout the year, xpedx continued to enhance environmental reports available on xpedx.com that help customers quickly track purchases that contribute to LEED certification, and document compliance to sustainable purchasing policies.

xpedx Sustainability in 2012

According to Dave Wallace, xpedx's director, Sustainability, xpedx has established new goals in 2012 to measure its success in sustainability. "xpedx has great momentum from our sustainability accomplishments as we start to move through the new year. So we're raising our expectations even higher in areas such as our supply chain, recycling and energy efficiency."

xpedx will expand implementation of its sustainability survey and scorecard to additional suppliers representing more than 75 percent of its purchases.

The xpedx business will continue its work to expand recycling, aiming for another 15 percent increase this year. Recycling is also part of xpedx's long-term goal to reduce its trash cost by 10 percent over a three-year period ending December 2013.

xpedx will qualify nine new locations with the ENERGY STAR this year and will also continue its goal to reduce emissions and lower its carbon footprint by renewing SmartWay certification for its fleet.

About xpedx

Cincinnati, Ohio-based xpedx, a business of International Paper (NYSE: IP), is one of the largest and premier distribution companies in North America. xpedx distributes a wide variety of print, packaging and facility solutions supplies and equipment to printers, manufacturers, retailers and commercial facilities from locations across North America. For more information about xpedx, its business segments and stewardship efforts visit xpedx.com.

International Paper and xpedx are registered trademarks of International Paper Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact:
Rick Ouellette, vice president, communications, xpedx
513-965-2790 / 901-573-4002
rick.ouellette@ipaper.com.