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The environment is more important than ever to Spicers Paper and to our customers. Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental provenance of the goods they buy. Sustainability is high on the agenda of governmental, intergovernmental and international forums. Concerns about illegal logging have led consumers, industry and public authorities to seek proof of legality and sustainability. In addition, financial institutions are increasingly requiring CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) reporting on a wide range of environmental issues, which affect a company's risk rating.

Spicers recognise that its products and business operations have an influence on the environment and it endeavours to take practical steps to minimise any negative impact. We have therefore adopted responsible environmental policies that comply with and where possible go beyond the requirements of environmental standards and legislation.

Environmental initiatives accomplished by Spicers include:

• Enviromark Gold Certification (the only merchant in NZ to hold this)
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accreditation (late 2007)
• PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) accreditation (late 2007)
• Becoming a member of the Sustainable Business Network
• Employee education initiative - winning The Packaging Council of New Zealand Award for Promotion of Attitudinal Change.

Suppliers to Spicers are required to demonstrate their respect for the environment by following responsible working practices. Suppliers are required to use raw materials from well-managed sources and to verify their claims on environmental issues when requested.

At Spicers Paper we believe that sustainability is not something you do, it's something you are. Every year, Charles Miller our General Manager, sets a Sustainability Challenge for staff, to encourage them all to be continually aware of living and working sustainably.

During 2006 three challenges were presented as options to Spicers' staff. First, staff were asked to demonstrate that they had saved electricity at home compared to the same period the previous year. It this was the case, they received vouchers equivalent to the value of the saving. Second, if staff installed a compost heap 9new) to reduce the amount of their domestic rubbish going to a landfill, they also won a voucher. The third challenge concerned drivers of company cars. A monthly prize was presented to the staff member who achieved the most improved fuel economy.

2007 has seen Spicers Paper launch carboNZero. In association with Landcare Research we are running a competition open to all staff to find the team member that can achieve closest to carbon zero. The winner will receive a state-of-the-art package to incorporate into their own home - solar power, insulation - the full deal.

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'We've chosen the 9lives range from Spicers Paper as the main source of paper for all of our external print work for the Auckland Regional Council from now on. We have a strong mandate within ARC to continue along the path of social responsibility, to be seen to be walking the talk in the area of sustainable paper procurement,' says Damon Keen, Creative Director, ARC Marketing and Communications team.

The Auckland Regional Council manages the region's air and water quality, its growth and development, regional parks, public transport, the coastal and marine environment, and natural and cultural heritage sites.

'Awareness about the consequences of not being environmentally responsible is increasing. Research and information such as that contained in the UK Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, which looks at the impact of climate change on the global economy, has also been a key recent influence on people's thinking.

'We ask ratepayers to be as sustainable as possible and it's up to us to lead the way. We're looking at reducing our carbon footprint as significantly as we can over the next few years. With 9lives, the quality and the price were right. The credentials were up to scratch. It met government requirements. It has the Forest Steward Council (FSC) certificate of approval. We wanted to be sure we were getting the genuine article.

'In attempting to balance the footprint we take into consideration factors such as travel, the creation of the paper and the recycling process. As a local body we have to take cost into account. 9lives came up looking very good on all counts. We were impressed that Spicers had brought in a system of codes for their sustainable papers - we could see a clear credentials trail for 9lives which enabled us to be more certain about its origins. We need that accountability in local government' says Damon.

'Choosing the right environmentally friendly paper for all of our future printing work was not a decision we undertook lightly. We conferred closely with the Blue Star Print Group and with the people within our organisation about their expectations of sustainability and weighed up all the factors. Obviously we were more up to speed with the key issues in sustainable paper procurement, but we were able to demonstrate with 9lives that all the main sustainability boxes were ticked and that's what matters - after weighing up the costs we look at what we're achieving and then try to do the right thing.

'Over recent years we've become more co-ordinated in the way we produce printed material for the ARC. A co-ordinated approach to a printing strategy makes more sense and saves us money in the long run. Protocols have been set over the past five years, standardising the paper purchasing process within the organisation.

'It's become more of a concern that we really are walking the talk. The more people use recycled paper, the less it costs overall. It's up to government and local government to lead the way.'

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Corporate Express, a major supplier on the local market of commercial office products, is printing its 500-plus-page 2008 annual catalogue on 9lives, a range of sustainable paper from Spicers Paper.

The extensive catalogue features 6500 products excluding office furniture. A section of the catalogue is devoted to Corporate Express' accredited Earthsaver products, which include a range of photocopy papers and pads of varying recycled content and biodegradable desk accessories.

Corporate Express NZ is 100 per cent owned by its Australian parent company and has over 200 employees in New Zealand. Its products range from office paper, pens, stationery, business machines, mail room supplies, briefcases and luggage to toner cartridges, CDs, DVDs and computer peripherals. The company has a stated policy of maintaining a reputation as a socially responsible organisation.

'There was a small premium to pay for 9lives in comparison with the virgin paper we have used for previous catalogues,' says Ron Gibbons, Corporate Express National Merchandising Manager. 'But we felt it was worth it to demonstrate to our customers our commitment to corporate social responsibility. We're aiming to be at the leading edge in the sustainable product area. We intend to make a feature of the fact that our catalogue has been printed on sustainable paper.

'We're confident that we'll be getting the quality of paper that we're looking for with 9lives. The quality of recycled paper has increased in recent years. There is no discernable difference between 9lives and its equivalent in virgin paper, making it difficult for the average person to tell the difference between the quality of our 2007 and our 2008 catalogue editions,' he says.

'Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is evolving all the time. Corporate Express has a strong CSR programme. We have had our Earthsaver range of environmental products for a number of years. We have an ethical sourcing policy that we expect our suppliers to comply with. Ethical sourcing is not just about the right components and content, it also takes into account factors such as compliance with sound labour practices and all applicable laws and regulations relating to the environment, particularly with respect to waste management, recycling, conservation and energy use.

'We're asking our suppliers to be accountable for what they do. If we've been told that a product meets our Earthsaver criteria, we want to see evidence, such as a copy of an ISO certification or acceptable accreditation. We don't just take our suppliers' word for it. We look for suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to implementing policies and practices consistent with and complementary to our own. Often our customers will ask us what makes a particular product environmentally friendly and we have to be able to provide evidence to substantiate our claim.'

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'As a waste minimisation group it's important for us to use recycled paper as much as possible for our printed communications,' says Executive Officer Carole Inglis, who purchases all paper for the organisation's printed material.

The Waste Management Institute of New Zealand (WasteMINZ) is a non-profit organisation, formed in 1989 to promote sustainable waste management practices for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The organisation's primary function is to provide a forum for presentation and dissemination of information and act as a facilitator for the waste management industry in New Zealand.

'We've worked with our graphic designer, Leanne Lassman from Electric Hedgehog, for ten years. She is very committed to using recycled stock and is always on the lookout for the best paper available. She checks the credentials of paper before recommending it to me.

'While using recycled stock costs a little more, it's what we've got to do,' says Carole. 'If an organisation such as ours doesn't set an example and use recycled stock there would be questions raised.

'We've been using 9lives for some years now and we promote the fact in our publications that we're using recycled stock. We're very happy with the look 9lives gives our printed material.

'Our conference registration brochure and conference programme are printed on 150gsm 9lives and our bi-monthly magazine Waste Awareness is also printed on 9lives. We're greening our annual conference as much as possible.'

The Waste Management Institute has over 420 members drawn from all aspects of waste collection and disposal. The office is based in Milford, Auckland. The small staff of three is dedicated to reducing and recycling office waste. The WasteMINZ office is in a building with other small companies and they have become aware of recycling practices too - for instance printer cartridges are saved and sent for recycling and the entire building recycles their milk bottles and paper. WasteMINZ is going to suggest a worm farm to be set up on the premises to cater for food waste as well!

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'We've used recycled stock at Landcare Research for years - long before it was the trendy thing to do,' says the organisation's Senior Graphic Designer Anouk Wanrooy.

Landcare Research is New Zealand's leading provider of solutions and advice for sustainable development and the management of land-based natural resources.

'In the past there were few options available in recycled stock. There was a greyish quality to it. We used an uncoated recycled stock, but we weren't happy with the results. So when 9lives became available, we were delighted with its satin finish. At last, there was a paper that was nice and white. Although it was recycled paper it didn't look it. We use 9lives on all of our newsletters, as well as for our report covers.

'Selecting 9lives recycled stock reflects Landcare Research's sustainability approach,' says Anouk. 'We've always been a forerunner in this area. The credentials of 9lives are really important to us. We make a point of advertising the fact that we're using 9lives recycled stock on our newsletters.

'People like the overall look of the paper and it's not too glossy. The ink coverage is good. Pictures reproduce well on the stock. And it comes in a good variety of weights.'

Landcare Research operates on the basis that excellent science and its effective application can contribute significantly to the economic transformation necessary to provide a higher quality of life for New Zealanders, while also ensuring our land environments are protected and respected.

Its research focus includes conserving and restoring our biodiversity and the healthy resilience of natural ecosystems, reducing pest, disease and weed impacts in our natural and managed ecosystems. It also researches the impacts of climate change, how to sustain the long-term health of soils, waterways and landscapes, for the continued viability of our rural environments, and fostering environmentally sustainable and globally competitive business practices.

The organisation has around 420 staff in nine locations. The largest of its research sites is at Lincoln, where the corporate office is based. There are regional offices in Palmerston North and Hamilton, plus offices at Auckland, Gisborne, Nelson, Dunedin and Alexandra.

Landcare Research makes every effort to reduce its impacts on the environment. Its operations have been certified as carbon neutral. It has an ISO 14001 certified environmental management system, and the organisation is a founding member of the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.

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For a small boutique Christchurch design company of four staff, choosing a recycled paper stock reflects a wider company philosophy in which environmental and social values provide the foundation for the way they do business.

Based in the Christchurch CBD in Cashel Mall, Hot Pyjama Productions specialises in design for print and for the web. In operation for over a decade now, the company works for a range of medium-sized businesses.

Aware that to be a truly sustainable business in the design industry the company needed to do more than just print on recycled paper, Hot Pyjama Productions developed strong connections with organisations such as The Natural Step (TNS) and the Sustainable Business Network.

'At the heart of our business is a base-line ethic of choosing solutions that take environmental and social factors into account. We believe in triple bottom line accountability,' says Hot Pyjama's chief designer and founder Wendy Riley-Biddle.

Using the tools and principles of The Natural Step gained through its participation in the inaugural TNS small business programme, Hot Pyjama Productions constantly reviews how it conducts its business - right through the supply chain to its end product and beyond.

'We aim to minimise our use of non-renewable resources and man-made substances that don't break down in nature and reduce our impact on the environment, paying particular attention to waste minimisation. We want to ensure that what we purchase and produce is done in such a way that it minimises any social impact,' says Wendy.

'We've always had good relations with Spicers Paper. They've been very accommodating and on the ball to provide mock-ups or whatever else we required pretty quickly. I've used Spicer's Ambassador stock for years and when it was rebranded to 9lives I simply continued to use it. The stock meets the majority of my environmental requirements and we use it a lot for brochure work, including handbooks, programmes and menus.

'Looking at the environmental credentials of a paper stock is always a key factor in our decision-making,' says Wendy. 'We check if it has recycled content, where the paper has been sourced from, if it has virgin pulp, where the forest is located and whether it's sustainably managed. We look at how much post or pre-consumer waste has been used in its content, and how far the paper has travelled to reach our market. We delve further to find out the environmental standards of the mill, and how easy the paper will be to re-use here at the end of its life.

'Other basic questions apply too, of course. Does the stock work well for the job? Will it fold well with heavy ink coverage without cracking in the gutter? How will it dry? Will the printer be happy to use it? Will it fit the budget requirements? With most of our jobs, 9lives fits these requirements too.'

After years of working for other companies, Wendy started her own in 1998. 'I wanted to work for an organisation where I didn't have to check my ethics in at the door, and where I could deliver a more balanced solution than those I had experienced working in other companies. One that wasn't motivated solely by profit, but was also accountable to ethical goals.'

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The work of graphic design agency URBAN_i and its sister print company RED_i for their clients Bendon, L'Oréal Professional Products, BDO Spicers, Aqualine Plumbing to mention but a few, all have one factor in common - the majority of their jobs are likely to have been printed on Spicers Paper's 9lives stock. And why? Because choosing an environmentally friendly paper on which to showcase their products and services is a match with the company values not only of URBAN_i and RED_i but those of their clients.

The work of URBAN_i ranges from brand development, advertising and promotional collateral, direct marketing, publications and packaging. Operating under the umbrella of the CCL Communications Group (formerly City Scan Communications), which has been in business for over 25 years, URBAN_i offers a dual capability service of graphic design and print with RED_i. The company has a staff of 35 and is based in Auckland's Mt Eden.

URBAN_i has selected Spicers 9lives for various projects, one of which is Bendon catalogues. 'We selected the satin finish and our client was extremely happy with the result,' says Mike Chapman, URBAN_i General Manager. 'Using 9lives meant that the skin tones reproduced richer and deeper, an invaluable advantage when we're producing lingerie catalogues where we're trying to ensure skin tone consistency. The subtlety of 9lives' surface lent warmth to the photography giving us the effect we were after.'

URBAN_i and RED_i are New Zealand's first dual certified sustainable graphic design and offset printing company, as both have been accredited. 'Environmental sustainability is becoming an ever increasing issue and, it's been a focus for us since RED_i became accredited in February 2008,' says Mike. 'We want to educate our clients and recommending an environmentally friendly paper for their printing is a great starting point. It means that our clients can have confidence that their brand communication will receive not only exceptional design expertise and printing of the highest quality, but it will also be guaranteed that the paper used originated from a well-managed forest. In this area, 9lives hits the mark. We like 9lives' credentials. It is FSC certified and has a 55 per cent recycled content, as well as a quality finish. We've also used 9lives for brochures, catalogues, flyers and overall campaign material, including wobblers and posters for our clients.

'To us taking a green approach is about more than just recycling. This focus extends to all facets of our business, but specifically to the use of environmentally-friendly inks and the recycling of printing plates. For RED_i, this commitment to sustainable print is only another stage of our continuing drive to remain at the forefront of the printing industry in New Zealand.'

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Vero provides general insurance services to New Zealanders. Prior to becoming Vero in 2003, the company was known as Royal & SunAlliance. From its Vero Centre head office in the heart of Auckland's Central Business District, Vero employs around 850 people in offices throughout New Zealand.

Vero's Communications' Advisor Eithne Sweeney is responsible for both external and internal communications for Vero and is one of a three-person in-house marketing department.

'At present we use 9lives stock solely for Infolink, Vero's 12-page A4 quarterly newsletter,' says Eithne. 'We selected 170gsm 9lives satin and we're very happy with the finish. We can see subtle improvements in the result since we've moved to 9lives.

'We pushed the go button on using recycled stock after our print brokers Converga (formerly Communication Arts) educated us about the environmental credentials of various recycled stocks on offer and explained the cycle of paper sourcing and manufacturing. When we first heard about 9lives from our design company, BIG Communications, it seemed like a good fit. We liked the 9lives connection with the World Wildlife Fund, which supports the broader definition of sustainability.

'Our plan is to gradually replace the stock being used for other company stationary items with 9lives as appropriate,' she says.

'As an insurance company, it's our business to protect people and property. As a logical extension of this we want to align ourselves with suppliers using sustainable practises. We're increasingly looking for a holistic approach to sustainability in all of our suppliers.'

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Communication Arts became Converga, part of the Datamail Group, in July 2009. Converga Procurement and Print Management delivers print management and design-related services for items including forms, brochures and stationery, annual reports, banners, packaging and point-of-sale material.

Independent of the production process (they don't own any equipment), Converga's experienced team sources services from a network of suppliers in New Zealand and overseas. Every purchasing decision they make is based on the total cost of supply, with a focus on ensuring that their clients (and their end customers) get the results they need in quality, turnaround and cost. This includes considering the environmental impact of factors such as paper and processing locations.

As part of the New Zealand Post Group, Converga and other parts of the group have a very strong social and environmental ethic which flows through to their printed material. Converga undertook significant research and analysis on paper usage over a 12-month period, analysing the paper weights being used, the size of the products, the presses they needed to be printed on, how often they were printed and the finishing techniques that were required.

After analysing numerous papers available in the market, 9lives ticked all the boxes, and then some.

'We loved the fact that it had a recycled content,' says Converga's Production Manager Leesa McKendrick. 'We loved the sheet sizes available and the range of weights it came in, as well as the fact that it offered both coated and uncoated options, and a range of board and paper weights. Though it's recycled, it has a lovely white finish and the corporate colours and images look great on the stock. It also ticks all the boxes with regard to government requirements, which was an absolute must.'

Along with recommending the stock to use for their publications, Converga developed a Good Guide to Print for the New Zealand Post Group, outlining why they chose 9lives, the paper's credentials, how to make wise ink choices, and how to maximise use of the whole printed sheet, as well as design tips and other ideas for reducing the environmental impact of print.

'The results we've achieved for our client on 9lives have been fantastic and the collateral looks great,' says Leesa. 'When we started using 9lives uncoated it was 50 per cent recycled. Now it's 100 per cent recycled – it couldn't be better.

'We intend to continue using 9lives for New Zealand Post and Kiwibank, and we're recommending it to other customers as well.'