There's nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. It's heartening to note that "green" is a word that seems to be on everyones' lips these days. The time for greener business practices has definitely come. Amber Lotus has been practicing environmental stewardship for the last twenty years, and this year we continue our efforts to engage in the most responsible business practices possible. We reported last year that after an independent audit, the grading of the paper we are using for the interiors of our calendars was changed according to EPA Standards, from 100% recycled and 100% post-consumer waste, to 100% recycled and 50% post-consumer waste content, processed chlorine free. Since the paper contains fiber from magazines that were printed but not sold, according to US EPA standards it cannot be considered 100% post-consumer waste. According to the International Standards Organizations (ISO) standards used by the rest of the world, this paper is classified as 100% recycled with 100% post-consumer waste recycled content. We print using soy-based inks.
This paper is still the greenest paper available for the type of coated stock that we require for our calendars. While it costs more to use this paper, we feel the long-term benefits to our global community outweigh any short-term financial benefit. We are striving to find the most environmental friendly paper possible and will continue to do so.
The estimated environmental benefit of using this paper is that it will save:
- 1,428 trees
- 520,524 gallons of water
- 988 million BTU's of energy
- 158,784 pounds of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases
- 86,126 pounds of solid waste
Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator (www.papercalculator.org).
We continue to take steps not only to reduce the environmental impact of our business, but to offset that impact as well. In 2009 we will plant 50,000 trees in our efforts to give something back to the planet and to future generations. In addition, we more than offset our carbon footprint with donations to NativeEnergy. Our hope is that other calendar and book publishers will join in these efforts.
We are also a member of the Co-op America Business Network and are certified as a "green business."