regulations requiring some form of certifica-tion of products or services. Certifications can come from government and non-government organizations. For instance, buildings looking to gain LEED certification need products that are environmentally sustainable through source/ waste reduction and recycled content. Choosing paper products that are made from responsibly managed sources as a part of environmentally preferable purchas-ing program could help these buildings earn points toward LEED certification. Another way to operate in a sustainable manner is to utilize paper products that sup-port healthy forest environments, which help clean our air and water while providing eco-nomic livelihood for millions of Americans. Purchasing products with Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) chain-of-custody cer-tification can increase customer confidence that they’re making a sustainable decision. To secure SFI chain-of-custody certifica-tion, companies must have a tracking sys-tem in place so they can tell customers how much certified, responsible sourcing and/or recycled content is in a product. There are many sustainability priorities that can be achieved through product selec-tion; these can include use of renewable resources, natural resource depletion, recy-cling, landfill diversion and emissions. By purchasing foodservice solutions that meet or exceed EPA guidelines for post-consumer waste, for example, facility man-agers can have confidence that they are providing paper products designed with sustainability in mind. Decision-makers should also ensure that they are doing business with companies that have high integrity and supplement with third-party certifications when they make sense for the business. of when evaluating paper solutions for food-service settings. By listening to the demands of customers and evaluating the costs, quality and envi-ronmental impact of a paper product, facility decision-makers will be able to maintain cus-tomer satisfaction and decrease operational costs — critical components of maintaining a competitive edge within the industry. By considering the three key tenets used to define sustainability when selecting paper products — social, environmental and economic impact — facility managers can gain a competitive advantage and drive business success by increasing operational efficiency and reducing waste. CM Assessing Total Value To Drive Success There are many different elements and factors that organizations should be aware As Vice President of Strategy and Category Effectiveness for Georgia-Pacific Professional, John Mulcahy works to realistically assess the marketplace and establish long-term strategy based on Georgia-Pacific Professional’s strengths, including the role of sustainability and corporate social responsibility in achieving long-term business objectives. Product Information no. XXX on page 24 Product Information no. XXX on page 24 www.cmmonline.com 37
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