Sustainability is a way of doing business with an understanding of our company’s impact on society, and the impact that social issues have on our business. How we integrate the concerns of our communities into our business strategies helps strengthen and create shared value among us all. Sustainability can not be defined as a single program or token initiative. It’s an explicit and defined aspect of who we are as a company, and how we run our business. It’s an obligation to operate better and smarter — and run our business in a way that makes sense for both our company and our world.
Environmental sustainability has become an essential ingredient to doing business responsibly and successfully. As one of the nation’s leading privately held distributors, our actions have the potential to save our customers money, and at the same time, help ensure a better world for generations to come. We at All Florida Paper view sustainability the same way we look at any other game-changing business opportunities that force us to think differently about our operations, and give back to our local communities.
Our Sustainability Initiatives
Bringing Greener Lighting to Our Warehouse
We have revamped our warehouse lighting system by installing high-output linear fluorescent lamps, commonly known as T5. Each lighting feature saves 2 tons of CO2 annually. In addition, we are using sensors, further reducing energy consumption. As a result, we are consuming less and less watts per year. While this change has translated to savings, our employees are appreciative of a light that is softer on their eyes.
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint on the Road
We are increasing our resource utilization by delivering more while driving less. We installed Roadnet Route Planning Software to help manage this initiative, and it is delivering remarkable results. The answer to increased delivery volumes is not always sending more trucks on the road, but rather, to make smart, efficient deliveries, which we have been able to spearhead with this new software. We are not only saving valuable resources, we have had a dramatic improvement in servicing our customers.
“Recycling” is Our New Buzz Word
We have significantly reduced the amount of garbage we trash. A large amount of the waste is comprised of cardboard, broken timber pallets, packaging film and paper. We have developed and executed strategies that have continued to lift our recycling rates through a number of recycling and packaging optimization initiatives including ongoing work with our suppliers to reduce all types of packaging waste, reusing and recycling of cardboard in our warehouses and distribution centers, reusing pallets in innovative ways, and the diversion of all possible materials from the waste stream.
Promoting Eco-Friendly Products
Eco-Friendly products generally use reusable materials and energy-efficient means of production, thereby causing less or no detrimental impact on the environment. Eco-friendly products do not contain harmful elements that might pollute the ecosystem, and the production process of which does not result in any toxic by-products or negative externalities. Moreover, green products are usually biodegradable and made from recyclable materials. They also conserve energy by promoting renewable or natural energy sources and low-maintenance energy requirements. Below are just a few of our Eco-Friendly products:
Towels and Tissues
We stock towels and tissues that are Green Seal certified. in addition, Wassau Paper offers an extensive line of Green Seal certified products featuring innovative solutions and controlled dispensing systems. Green Seal has develop life cycle-based sustainability standards for products, services and companies, and offer third-party certification for those that meet the criteria in the standard. Green Seal has been actively identifying and promoting sustainability in the marketplace, and helping organizations be greener in a real and effective way since 1989. Learn more about Green Seal Products.
Chemicals
We are proud to be a distributor of Spartan Chemical products, which offers products that are manufactured from renewal resources. They provide a complete line of environmentally preferable laundry products, which includes five Design for the Environment (DfE) labeled options; a line of environmentally preferred, dye and fragrance free cleaning products, and sustainable products that harness the ability of select microorganisms to use organic waste as their energy or food source. Learn more about the DfE label.
