For businesses taking the next step in their sustainability journey, there are some new solutions…
Goodman (NZ) Limited (Goodman) is the manager of the NZX-listed Goodman Property Trust. The Trust owns and develops warehouse and logistics facilities in key locations across Auckland. When Goodman announced their Toitū Envirocare1 carbonzero certified organisation status this year, they didn’t stop there. They have been tracking their greenhouse gas emissions since 2009, as part of a wider sustainability strategy. It recognises that to become a truly sustainable, resilient and low carbon real estate business they need long term thinking guiding their actions. Wherever possible, Goodman will construct their new facilities from sustainably sourced building materials with the development process carefully managed to reduce waste and other environmental impacts. Targeting a five Star Green Star Rating for all new projects, they will also offset the carbon embodied in the construction of these facilities—making them carbon neutral.
Printing Carbon Neutral
When it came to printing the Goodman Property Trust Annual Report, Marketing Director, Mandy Waldin, commented ‘I assumed in this day and age that carbon neutral paper would just be available’. She already knew how to ensure the report would be recyclable by rejecting embellishments such as lamination and ensuring it was from a sustainable source such as FSC certified. So being Toitū carbonzero certified, the next step was diving deeper into the paper itself.
Mandy’s assumption of the availability of carbon neutral paper was a little more challenging than first thought. There are a variety of A4 copy papers available on the New Zealand market. However, when it comes to larger sheets for offset printing, the documentation required needed to be confirmed.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
To work out how much carbon is emitted during the entire manufacturing process and the transport to New Zealand it is necessary to calculate a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). We then use the LCA to work out a total emissions number for the paper component of the print job. From here we can purchase carbon credits to offset the carbon emitted.
Mandy explains ‘We partnered with Jeff Marsh from Blue Star Constellation who collaborated with Rachel Foye at BJ Ball to work through the options.’.
The next step was understanding what was available. ‘We discussed manufactured vs made carbon neutral’ says Rachel Foye, Marketing & Environmental Manager for BJ Ball. ‘Sumo Matt could be made carbon neutral all the way to New Zealand, not just at the mill. It was also FSC certified which is another important feature to support sustainable forestry and not just carbon emissions.’
Manufactured Carbon Neutral
Manufactured Carbon Neutral means the paper mill has done an LCA for the production of the paper to get it to the nearest port. They have also offset the carbon emissions themselves.
Made Carbon Neutral
Made Carbon Neutral means BJ Ball has partnered with the mill to complete the LCA to include the transportation to New Zealand.
This is why there are more options in the Manufactured Carbon Neutral range. However, most are in the specialty paper categories. BJ Ball then purchases carbon credits, choosing a clean energy wind project in India. ‘It is important to us to support the countries that need the most help with reducing their emissions. Where the investment can really make an environmental impact’ says Rachel. ‘New Zealand is already miles ahead of developing countries, so investment here didn’t quite make sense’.
Sharing the Cost
To complete an LCA is not a cheap exercise. BJ Ball have partnered with Ball & Doggett in Australia to invest in LCAs for Sumo Gloss, Sumo Matt, Sumo Laser and Silk Matt. ‘This gives customers a good range of commodity products.
With a global stock supply, a transport LCA from every mill around the world just isn’t feasible’ points out Kelly McLean, Supply Manager at BJ Ball. ‘We are looking at more paper and board LCAs in the Made Carbon Neutral option’ Kelly expands. ‘Various mills are already measuring their emissions which gives them a framework to look at LCAs. ‘However, to do an LCA requires considerable time and investment. We are keen to hear from customers to ensure we focus on where there is demand”. “And where the customer wants the option to pay to make a product carbon neutral.’
Promoting Carbon Neutral
The final piece of the puzzle was supporting Goodman’s carbon neutral choice with a logo. Something they could use to promote their commitment in this area. ‘It needed to be something that didn’t confuse readers to think the whole print job was carbon neutral’ explains Rachel. ‘We ensured the wording, used in conjunction with the Made Carbon Neutral and FSC logo, was transparent and easy to understand’.
‘Although not many people notice the logo, it’s about being true to all aspects of sustainability wherever we can’. Mandy finishes, ‘We know we have done our best for the environment. We’ll keep using Made Carbon Neutral paper where we can and we hope other businesses do the same.’
1 Toitū Envirocare leads businesses to sustain the future of our environment and economy with credible environmental certifications. The carbonzero certification program accurately measures and helps businesses to set goals to reduce their greenhouse gas footprint. Once measured and reduced, the remaining emissions are offset through verified carbon credits to achieve a neutral balance.
For more information on the Carbon Neutral icon and how it relates to paper—read here.
GSM would like to thank Goodman NZ Ltd & BJ Ball for contributing to this article.
