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ForestEthics Releases 2011 Green Grades Report Card for US Fortune 500 Companies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The 2011 Green Grades Report Card by ForestEthics evaluates the environmental practices of 12 US Fortune 500 companies with high paper consumption, ranking them on their commitment to forest sustainability. The companies graded include American Express, AT&T, Bank of America, Capitol One, Chase, Discover, GEICO, Sprint, State Farm, Travelers, USAA, and Verizon. This report provides an assessment of these companies' progress in adopting sustainable forest management practices, including their use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper, post-consumer recycled content, and reduction in paper consumption.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sprint emerged as the clear leader among the companies surveyed, committing to a purchasing goal of 90% FSC paper by 2012 and reducing the total weight of paper purchased by 30% within the next year, and 40% by 2017.
  • AT&T made significant new commitments, including giving preference to FSC certified products for paper purchases.
  • Discover, a credit card company, adopted its first-ever paper procurement policy and declared a preference for FSC.
  • USAA acted to improve its direct mail paper use by setting a minimum goal of 10% post-consumer recycled fiber, with a target of migrating toward 30%.
  • Insurance giants GEICO and Travelers were criticized for declining to return the Green Grades survey and having no publicly available information about their paper policies and practices.
  • ForestEthics has persuaded several companies to use their influence and buying power to help protect forests.

Statistics:

  • 12 US Fortune 500 companies were evaluated in the 2011 Green Grades Report Card.
  • 90% is the purchasing goal for FSC paper set by Sprint by 2012.
  • 30% reduction in paper weight is the goal for Sprint within the next year and 40% by 2017.
  • 10% is the minimum goal of post-consumer recycled fiber set by USAA.
  • 30% is the target of post-consumer recycled fiber for USAA.

Sources:

  • ForestEthics: Green Grades 2011 Report Card
  • ForestEthics: Press Release for 2011 Green Grades Report Card
  • Marketing Weekly News editors from staff and other reports
  • VerticalNews.com: Article on ForestEthics' 2011 Green Grades Report Card

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