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Boise Inc.: Environmental Summit Addresses Impact of Paper Choices

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  Published in House and Home on Friday, March 20th 2009 at 9:02 GMT, Last Modified on 2009-03-20 09:03:29 by Market Wire

BENSENVILLE, IL--(Marketwire - March 20, 2009) - Boise Inc. (NYSE: [ BZ ]) is encouraging companies interested in going green to learn more about the range of options they have to steadily become more environmentally responsible.

That was the topic of discussion during Boise Inc.'s 2009 Environmental Summit, held in Chicago March 4 and 5. During the event, thought leaders from Boise, the National Counsel for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), Label Impressions, the Environmental Defense Fund, and Greenbiz.com shared their knowledge and offered insights to business leaders interested in reducing their environmental impact.

Topics of discussion included:

 -- Forest certification and sustainable forestry practices. -- Carbon emission reduction and opportunities and challenges influencing climate change. -- Case studies on the environmental impact of paper and packaging choices. -- Real-world examples from representatives of Delta Dental, Unisource Worldwide, McDonald's Corporation, and Give Something Back. 

"This difficult economic time presents real opportunities for companies to make business-savvy choices that positively impact the environment," said Alexander Toeldte, Boise Inc. President and CEO. "We wanted to reiterate our environmental commitment and illustrate ways Boise and our customers can make real changes."

Toeldte explained that businesses can make a big impact -- on the environment and on their bottom line -- simply by making seemingly minor choices. Many of the summit's presenters and panelists echoed Toeldte's recommendation.

Rachel Beckhardt of the Environmental Defense Fund said that a company's paper choices represent some of the simplest ways that decision makers can reduce their environmental impact. "Paper accounts for 30 percent of landfill waste. Consider the impact that any business can have on the environment simply by purchasing and using environmentally preferable paper," she said. (Note to editors: See sidebar at the end of this release for specific tips.)

In addition to the simple tips offered during Boise's 2009 Environmental Summit, experts discussed potential climate change legislative outcomes and opportunities. Tom Cushing of the CCX -- which introduced a voluntary, legally binding integrated trading system to reduce emissions of all six greenhouse gases -- predicted that the buying and selling of greenhouse gas emissions will one day become the highest-traded commodity in the world.

"In 2008, CCX member companies traded 110 million carbon credits, as compared to 2.2 million traded in 2004. That represents a lot of real money in a market very similar to that on Wall Street," said Cushing.

Some companies, like summit sponsor Boise Inc., are already making voluntary reductions to greenhouse gas emissions. The company has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent by 2014, by decreasing total energy use, displacing fossil fuel with renewable biomass, and pursuing energy cogeneration opportunities. In addition to emission reduction, the company also relies on third-party certified sustainable forestry to meet fiber needs for its paper production. Boise Inc. is also a major manufacturer of recycled-content papers.

Whether large or small, Toeldte said putting Earth-friendly initiatives into place comes down to one thing: Choice. "Company leaders need to be aware of whether or not their actions are compromising environmental, economic, and social values for the future. If they find they aren't acting in an environmentally responsible way, then they have the choice to make changes."

For more information about the 2009 Boise Environmental Summit, or to receive photos and copies of each presentation, contact Laura Partynski at 630 227 3445 or [ LauraPartynski@BoiseInc.com ].

Sidebar - Follow these choices from the Environmental Summit:

 1. Choose lighter paper basis weights and cut sheet sizes; use two-sided copying and keep mailing lists clean and accurate; 2. Of the paper you do use, increase the amount of recycled content vs. virgin fiber used; 3. Of the virgin fiber you do use, choose from responsible manufacturers, mills and paper suppliers by looking for sustainable forestry and sourcing certification labels; 4. Choose to recycle paper when you are done using it; 5. Create environmental checklists; and 6. Reduce transportation emissions. 

About Boise Inc.

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Boise Inc. (NYSE: [ BZ ]) manufactures packaging products and papers including corrugated containers, containerboard, label and release and flexible packaging papers, imaging papers for the office and home, printing and converting papers, newsprint, and market pulp. Our entire team of approximately 4,350 employees is committed to delivering excellent value while managing our businesses to sustain environmental resources for future generations. Visit our website at [ www.BoiseInc.com ].