New York, NY, January 9, 2008 – Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, today announced that the company is further strengthening its sustainable paper procurement practices by setting industry-leading goals to increase the percentage of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper and post-consumer waste (pcw) recycled paper it purchases. In consultation with the Rainforest Alliance, the Green Press Initiative and other environmental organizations, the company has set a five-year goal to increase its publication paper purchase of FSC-certified paper to 30 percent and its use of recycled paper to 25 percent, of which 75 percent will be post-consumer waste.
The new policy adds to the company’s long-standing responsible environmental practices that have already resulted in reducing paper use by more than three million pounds annually. Under the new policy, the increase in the use of pcw fiber alone will result in a reduction of 23,988,000 pounds in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fiscal year 2006 usage, as calculated by the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator. The new policy also includes a commitment by Scholastic to help educate children about responsible environmental practices and what they can do to help preserve the environment. The policy is available at www.scholastic.com/paperpolicy.
“Our five-year goals for FSC-certified and recycled paper purchases are ambitious, but achievable and important,” said Maureen O’Connell, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, Scholastic. “For many years, we demonstrated our commitment to responsible paper policy, and we particularly raised the standard last summer with our record-setting use of environmentally friendly papers for the seventh book in the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Scholastic will strive to continue raising the bar for environmentally sound policies and practices, including not only the use of FSC and recycled content in our paper products, but also in the construction and maintenance of our headquarters and other facilities, and in helping to educate young people about caring for the environment.”
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- Scholastic Inc.