green seal best practices guide & self … & resources... · saves money). in march 2012,...

©2012 Green Seal, Inc. 1

GREEN SEAL™ BEST PRACTICES GUIDE & SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

FOR

THE MAIL SUPPLY CHAIN

MARCH 1, 2012

Green Seal, Inc. • 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 872 • Washington, DC USA 20036-5525 (202) 872-6400 • FAX (202) 872-4324 • www.greenseal.org

This document is copyrighted in order to protect Green Seal’s publication rights. There are no restrictions

in using this document for the design or evaluation of products, services, and companies.

©2012 Green Seal, Inc. All Rights Reserved


GREEN SEAL™

Green Seal is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to use science-based programs to empower consumers, purchasers, and companies to create a more sustainable world. Green Seal sets leadership standards that aim to reduce, to the extent technologically and economically feasible, environmental, health, and social impacts throughout the life cycle of products, services, and companies. For additional information on Green Seal or any of its programs, contact: Green Seal 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 827 Washington, DC 20036-5525 (202) 872-6400 [email protected]


Table of Contents

I. Introduction ......................................................................................... 4

II. Self-Assessment Questionnaire .......................................................... 5

III. Best Practices for the Mail Supply Chain ............................................ 7

Appendix A: Example Action Plan (for a Mailer Organization) ................... 12

Appendix B: Sources of Additional Information ......................................... 15

Appendix C. Terms and Definitions ........................................................... 17


I. Introduction

The Green Seal Best Practices Guide & Self-Assessment Questionnaire for the Mail Industry was released in 2010 as a pilot program to green all aspects of the mail supply chain, as the Green Seal Mail Partnership Program. The program was developed with input from the U.S. Postal Service Greening the Mail Task Force and additional experts and stakeholders representing manufacturers, suppliers, mailers, shippers, mail services, retailers, non-profit organizations, government agencies, industry organizations, and environmental organizations.

The goal of the Partnership was to facilitate environmental stewardship throughout the mail supply chain by encouraging and increasing the use of more sustainable mailing business practices, practices that benefit the environment, society and add economic value (e.g., a practice that might reduce waste, benefit workers, and saves money). In March 2012, after evaluating the first year of the pilot Mail Partnership Program, Green Seal decided to offer all Mail Partnership tools online at no charge, rather than continue the more structured Green Seal Mail Partnership Program. These tools include a best practices guide and self-assessment tool for organizations involved in the mail supply chain (suppliers and mailers) to help them identify opportunities and work toward environmental improvement.

This document contains information on how to access the self-assessment

questionnaire, a list of best practices for the mail supply chain, an example action plan for environmental improvement, a list of additional sources of information, and a glossary of terms and definitions.

The main functions of the mail supply chain that are addressed are: Mailing/Shipping Mail List Management Mail Design Materials Manufacturing Printing and Converting Distributing and Logistics

Organizations that might find this guide useful include mailers, parcel shippers,

mail houses, presorting organizations, paper manufacturers, envelope manufacturers, printers, mail design organizations, distributors, data centers, and list management organizations, among others.


II. Self-Assessment Questionnaire

For an organization to get the most out of this document, it is recommended it first use the self-assessment questionnaire Green Seal has developed for the mail supply chain, available at www.greenseal.org/MailSurvey.aspx. The self-assessment is a list of questions about a broad range of mailing practices, listed below. Based on the answers submitted, the online tool provides specific recommendations, in the form of goals, for areas where an organization should focus its efforts for environmental improvement. For example, depending on the response to a question regarding paper procurement, the tool might recommend purchasing recycled content paper if it is not currently being purchased, or that the organization set a goal for increased volume of recycled content paper, if it is currently being purchased.

When using the questionnaire, there is usually an option to reply "do not know" if the answer is unknown or if the responder is unsure about the correct response. Depending on the breadth of the involvement of an organization in the supply chain, the questionnaire could be between 30 to 150 questions and could take up to two hours to complete. If your organization wants to review the questions in advance, the full set of questions can be found at www.greenseal.org/MailQuestionnaire.aspx.

The self-assessment questionnaire is an online tool that asks for information on

the following topics: Organization

o Environmental policies o Reporting on environmental performance o Renewable energy usage o Waste diversion o Community engagement

Mail List o Mail list controls and hygiene o Tracking response rates o Mailing and list testing

Mail Design o Indicating recyclability o Testing weight and size reduction o Testing consolidation o Identifying environmental attributes

Materials Selection and Procurement o Environmentally preferable procurement policy o Illegally harvested forest products o Chain of custody certifications o Recycled content paper o Inks and coatings o Environmental performance of materials

Material Manufacturing o Paper manufacturing o Plastic product manufacturing o Coatings manufacturing


o Ink manufacturing o Recycled content and processing material reuse o Evaluating environmental hazards of products o Environmental performance data o Raw materials travel and distribution o Reduction in packaging

Printing and Converting o Recycling and reuse o Waste minimization o Solvent and ink reuse and proper disposal o Environmentally preferable procurement policies o Material and packaging reduction o Environmental performance data o Travel and distribution of materials

Distribution and Logistics o Packaging reduction o Environmentally preferable packaging o Environmental performance data o Route and distribution optimization o Vehicle modification o Vehicle maintenance program o EPA SmartWay® Program

The assessment questionnaire can be found at: www.greenseal.org/MailSurvey.aspx


III. Best Practices for the Mail Supply Chain Below is a list of best practices for the mail supply chain. The first section includes organization-level best practices that all organizations should strive to achieve. The second section includes best practices for the different functions of the mail supply chain, such as creating mailing lists, designing mail, materials used in mail pieces, printing and converting, and distribution and logistics. Organization-Level Practices

The organization implements and maintains an ongoing, comprehensive environmental management system (e.g., may be compliant or modeled on ISO 14001).

The organization has an environmentally preferable procurement policy and

supplier preferences for the mail supply chain (including, but not limited to, those participating in, EPA SmartWay®).

The organization uses environmental requirements in external requests,

especially those that relate to the mail supply (e.g., bids, quotes).

The organization reports environmental performance data to customers or the public. This may include amount of material used, distribution (miles and type), waste generated, water and energy used, and other relevant measures (e.g., Greenhouse Gas Protocol from WRI/WBCSD for carbon).

The organization reports to customers or to the public its goals aligned with

environmental performance objectives. The organization reduces its environmental and carbon footprint (e.g., material

used, distribution (miles and type), waste generated, water and energy used, and other relevant measures).

The organization increases the amount of renewable energy used for direct and

indirect energy requirements.

The organization has a comprehensive internal recycling program and is moving toward a zero-waste, closed-loop mail supply chain (minimizing use of new materials used in mail and making all reasonable efforts to recover materials used in mail).


Mail Supply Chain Practices (refer to the sections that are relevant for your organization’s role in the supply chain)

Mailing List: The following practices aim to reduce resource use by increasing the efficiency and hygiene of mailing lists.

The organization has created and maintains a quality address database(s) or mailing lists by checking against internal resources (including the updating of address changes and purging invalid and duplicate addresses) and the USPS (e.g., Intelligent Mail Barcode, CASS, NCOA, ACS, OneCode ACS) or commercial equivalent address hygiene tools that complete, correct, and validate that current addresses are used and the mailing contains minimal undeliverable addresses. The list is updated for each mailing or on a monthly basis.

The organization tracks response rates for each mailing and compares to past

performance to encourage greater mailing success.

For marketing mail, the organization establishes internal preference mechanisms for existing and prospective customers to customize or opt out of future solicitations from the mailer. This includes a clear and actionable message on every mail piece.

For marketing mail, the organization uses external preference services, where

applicable (i.e., may not apply to some financial, medical, or insurance mailings), to augment internal mechanisms of customizing mail delivery to customers.

For marketing mail, the organization uses mail list segmentation and modeling

analytics to optimize targeting.

The organization consolidates multiple pieces of mail to a particular address as much as possible (e.g., consolidates transactional and marketing pieces into a single piece).

Mail Design: The following practices are intended to facilitate source reduction and recovery of resources included in mail pieces.

Mail pieces contain only recyclable components and components that do not impede the recycling process for paper. Fulfillment mail (e.g., requested membership card) that contains non-paper components that may impede recycling should have a clear statement that indicates that portions of the mail may not be recyclable, such as, “please remove before recycling,” for any such components. Further, the mailer shall follow guidelines of the local/end-market for recycling.

The mail piece displays at least one clearly visible recyclable message on all

mail, compliant with Federal Trade Commission guidelines, notifying the consumer to recycle the mail piece (see National Recycling Coalition, DMA,


MPA, and USPS for examples). Where a claim of recycled content is made, the percentage of recycled material should be stated. The percentage of recycled content for products and packaging should be separately stated and should not be aggregated (see ISO 14021 for more guidance).

The mail piece is source-reduced and/or material is used with increased

efficiency appropriate for mailing/audience and is technically (e.g., can effectively be processed by USPS) feasible (e.g., lighter weight, smaller envelope, smaller pages, fewer pages, fewer inserts, reusable envelope, direct impression addressing, consolidated mailings).

The mail piece is created using mail design software that optimizes the total

number of pages to reduce the total weight of the mail piece without sacrificing the effectiveness of the mail piece.

The environmental performance of mail design is tracked and reported, including

amount of material used, recycled content included, chain of custody material included, carbon footprint, and other relevant measures.

Materials: The following practices are intended to facilitate use of environmentally preferable materials and source-reduced materials in mail pieces and pollution prevention during the manufacturing of these materials.

Paper from illegally harvested forests is not used. Paper procured through a chain-of-custody or sustainable forestry certification

process is used to the maximum extent feasible (e.g., Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative).

Use of environmentally preferable materials that are technically feasible (e.g.,

can effectively be processed by USPS) and economically feasible, options to consider include, but are not limited to: a. Papers: Lightest stock weight feasible; contains 30% total recycled content;

contains 30% post-consumer content for uncoated papers, or contains 10% post-consumer content for coated papers. Post-consumer content is processed chlorine free and virgin material is processed without elemental chlorine or chlorine derivatives, when feasible.

b. Inks/Coatings: At least 20% biobased and does not contain carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, ozone depleting compounds, aromatic solvents, VOCs, halogenated solvents, hazardous air pollutants, PBTs, or heavy metal ingredients.

c. Adhesives: Do not contain carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, ozone depleting compounds, aromatic solvents, halogenated solvents, hazardous air pollutants, PBTs, or heavy metal ingredients, and VOC content is less than 5% or compliant with CARB, whichever is more stringent.

d. Plastics: Containing recovered material, no heavy metals, no phthalates, and no chlorinated materials.


The transportation/distribution (distance and type) of raw materials and finished

products is optimized to minimize an environmental footprint.

The environmental performance of material manufacturing is tracked and reported, including waste generated, water and energy used, and other relevant measures.

Printing and Converting: The following practices are intended to facilitate pollution prevention during the printing and converting of materials.

Environmentally preferable and source-reduced materials are used (see above). The printer and converter reduce and minimize waste papers, inks, and solvents

in process. All recyclable production waste is recycled, where available. The printer reduces and properly disposes of waste ink and other solvents used in the process.

The printer utilizes state-of-the-art oxidizers, where cost-effective, and has a

solvent recovery system with progressively higher goals of efficiency – which exceed EPA minimum applicable requirements.

On-demand technology is used to minimize waste. The environmental performance of printing/converting is tracked and reported,

including waste generated, water and energy used, and other relevant measures. Distribution and Logistics: The following goals are intended to reduce energy, fuel use, and emissions associated with transporting mail.

Packaging is reduced and environmentally preferable packaging is used and

recycled/reused when packaging is needed. Mail sorting is done with all feasible mailings.

Distribution is done with fuel-efficient or alternatively fueled vehicles.

Transportation/distribution (distance and type) is optimized and other actions are

taken to reduce fuel use and GHG emissions (e.g. printing closer to destination, on-demand printing) or is done by a SmartWay® Partner.

Distribution uses fleets that are maintained using environmentally preferable best

practices such as those outlined in the Green Seal Best Practices Guide for Fleet Vehicle Maintenance, or similar processes.


The environmental performance of distribution is tracked and reported, including fuel used (amount and type), miles traveled, waste generated, water and energy used, and other relevant measures


Appendix A: Example Action Plan (for a Mailer Organization)

Implementing better sustainability practices could involve all elements of an organization, and it can often be a daunting task to determine where to start to develop goals for environmental improvement. Creating an action plan is a good way to identify priorities and keep an organization on track. The following Action Plan is an example that could be applicable to a mailer organization. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, and realistic. Timing and subsequent planned actions to meet these goals should address key steps needed to achieve the goal within a three year period. Annual targets/actions should be identified for the purpose of evaluating continuous improvement. Organization Plan GOAL: Give preference to environmentally responsible suppliers and have their business represent 50% of supplier expenses by Month/Year.

ACTION: Create a scorecard of suppliers for procurement to use and include such considerations as environmental management system, environmental performance, reporting, specific environmental practices of interest, and certification. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Create an environmentally preferable purchasing policy. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Train Procurement staff on scorecard use and environmentally preferable purchasing policy. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Provide suppliers with training and resources to help meet policy goals. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Track purchases to measure success of program. TIMING: Ongoing GOAL: Track environmental performance indicators of mailings on a periodic basis by Month/Year.

ACTION: Identify relevant environmental performance indicators for mailings. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Develop tracking system. TIMING: Month/Year ACTION: Train employees on tracking system. TIMING: Month/Year ACTION: Track performance quarterly. TIMING: Ongoing

GOAL: Report environmental performance to stakeholders at least annually by Month/Year.

ACTION: Report environmental performance to company President quarterly. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Report environmental performance in an annual Corporate Responsibility/Citizenship report. TIMING: Month/Year


ACTION: Create a distinct environmental report according to Global Reporting Initiative guidelines and have it publicly available. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Get environmental report third-party audited. TIMING: Month/Year Mail Supply Plan GOAL: Create only mail pieces with 100% recyclable components or with components that do not impede the recycling process by Month/Year.

ACTION: Identify materials that are recyclable in areas where mailings are sent and create a list of prohibited materials that are not recyclable (or that impede recyclability). TIMING: Month/Year.

ACTION: Establish an item in the mail design approval checklist that includes Vice President approval for use of any item on the prohibited list that is not recyclable or that impedes recycling. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Track mail piece material used. TIMING: Ongoing ACTION: Review mail piece material use and identify opportunities for reducing

use of unrecyclable material. TIMING: Annually

GOAL: Reduce the weight of mailings (collectively) by 25% (not including weight reduced from consolidating mailings) by Month/Year.

ACTION: Establish a baseline of current mailings. TIMING: Month/Year ACTION: Prioritize mailings (e.g., those performing substandard). TIMING:

Month/Year ACTION: Test options to reduce weight of priority mailings (market and USPS

processing tests). TIMING: Month/Year ACTION: Implement weight reduction of successful test options. TIMING:

Month/Year ACTION: Reassess priorities of action plan and continue to progress toward

goal. TIMING: Ongoing GOAL: Increase use of post-consumer content paper to be included in all mailings to at least a 30% level by Month/Year.

ACTION: Develop a plan with a phased timeline for expanding use of post-consumer content paper to all mailings, at least 30% post-consumer content. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Test and optimize modifications (market and processing tests). TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Implement plan of successful tests options. TIMING: Month/Year ACTION: Evaluate which mailings can go beyond 30% amount of post-

consumer content, confirming market and processing (e.g. USPS) feasibility, and establish/implement updated plan. TIMING: Month/Year


GOAL: Use chain-of-custody/sustainable forestry certified paper for >90% of paper used in mailings by Year.

ACTION: Identify chain of custody/sustainable forestry certified sources for paper needs. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Create an implementation progression based on chain-of-custody certification sources and mailing timing. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Implement according to progression. TIMING: Ongoing

GOAL: Conduct a life cycle inventory of a representative set of mailings by Year.

ACTION: Develop goal and scope of study, to focus on carbon footprint and including all distribution – from raw material to USPS drop-off and anticipated end use. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Contract with leading life cycle organization to conduct study. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Complete study. TIMING: Month/Year

ACTION: Develop plan to reduce carbon footprint based on the outcome of the study. TIMING: Month/Year


Appendix B: Sources of Additional Information British Standards Institute (BSI): PAS 2020:2009 Direct marketing. Environmental performance. Specification: http://www.bsigroup.com/en/Shop/Publication-Detail/?pid=000000000030170022 Common Vision for Transforming the Paper Industry: Striving for Environmental and Social Sustainability. http://www.environmentalpaper.org/documents/CommonVision.pdf Conservatree: www.conservatree.com/ Direct Marketing Association (DMA): www.dmaresponsibility.org/Environment/ Envelope Manufacturers Association (EMA): www.envelope.org Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT): www.epat.org Federation of European Direct and Interactive Marketing Environmental (FEDMA) Recommendations for Direct Mail: fedma.custompublish.com/fedmas-recommendation-for-direct-mail-and-the-environment.4496321-108228.html Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): www.globalreporting.org/Home Green Seal: www.greenseal.org Greenhouse Gas Protocol (from WRI/WBCSD): www.ghgprotocol.org/ International Organization for Standardization: www.iso.org

14001 Standard: http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=31807 14024 Standard: http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=23146

Magazine Publishers Association (MPA): www.magazine.org/environment/ Royal Mail: www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content1?catId=95100768&mediaId=89800754 Sustainable Green Printing Partnership: www.sgppartnership.org United States Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov/bcp/grnrule/guides980427.htm United States Postal Service (USPS): www.usps.com/green/


United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.epa.gov Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines:

www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/tools/cpg/index.htm SmartWay®: www.epa.gov/smartway/


Appendix C. Terms and Definitions The following terms used in this document are defined below for clarification. Alternatively Fueled Vehicle: A vehicle that runs predominantly or exclusively on alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas, biodiesel from recycled vegetable oil, hydrogen, or electrically-generated power as demonstrated by fuel purchase records and mileage records for the vehicle(s). Gasoline purchases for the vehicle(s) shall not exceed the amount required to drive the vehicle(s) 15% of the miles driven annually. Aromatic Solvents: A hydrocarbon compound containing one or more 6-carbon rings in the molecular structure and typically used to dissolve another material. Biobased: The content of a product that is from biological products or renewable materials, forestry, or agricultural materials (including plant, animal, and marine materials). CARB: California Air Resources Board. Carcinogen: Chemicals listed as a known, probable, reasonably anticipated, or possible human carcinogen by the IARC (Groups 1, 2A, and 2B), NTP (Groups 1 and 2), EPA IRIS (weight-of-evidence classifications A, B1, B2, C, carcinogenic, likely to be carcinogenic, and suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity or carcinogen potential), or by OSHA (as carcinogens under 29 CFR 1910.1003(a)(1)). CFR: Code of Federal Regulations. Chain of Custody: Tracking material from the original source through the supply chain, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution, typically referring to a certification system for responsibly managed forestry products. Components: The items physically included in a mail piece that a mail recipient handles. Typically this includes, but is not limited to, envelopes, printed matter, and inserts. Cost-Effectiveness: A mathematical analysis that compares two or more pathways to determine which one will achieve the desired result at a lower economic cost over the life of the option. Distribution and Logistics: Organizations involved in the transportation and handling of mail pieces and their components from the point of manufacturing through to delivery/pick up of mail piece by the USPS. Organization examples are, but not limited to, presorting houses, freight forwarding, and drop shippers. DOE: United States Department of Energy.


Environmental Management System: The detailed structure, plan, practices, procedures, and resources of an organization dedicated to its interaction and impacts made to the air, water, natural resources, flora, fauna, and humans. Such a system may include, but is not limited to, those compliant with ISO 14001. Environmentally Preferable: Products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose (adopted from Instructions for Implementing Executive Order 13423). EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency. Fuel-Efficient: A vehicle performing in the top 25% in fuel economy (mpg) for its specific vehicle class according to the DOE/EPA Fuel Economy Guide. Halogenated Solvents: A compound containing a halogen as designated on the Periodic Table (e.g. fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, astatine) and typically used to dissolve another material. Hazardous Air Pollutants: A compound that is controlled by the EPA, through the Clean Air Act, and classified as a pollutant that cause or may cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse environmental and ecological effects. Heavy Metals: Materials that have metallic properties or designation on the Periodic Table that typically have hazardous effects to human health and the environment. IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Ingredient: Any component of a product that is intentionally added or known to be a contaminant that comprises at least 0.01% by weight of the product. IRIS: Integrated Risk Information System. ISO: International Organization for Standardization. Mail Design: The decisions about the physical make-up and appearance of the mail piece, including, but not limited to, the amount and specifications for papers, envelopes, inks, adhesives, and other components along with the graphical and copy content and layout. Mailing List: The list of consumers or businesses compiled for the purpose of sending a mail piece.


Mail Piece: The item that gets postage for delivery by a third party (e.g. USPS, UPS FedEx), that is intended for a consumer or business. Mailers: Organizations that are responsible for the creation of mail and conduct part of their business through the mail including, but not limited to, transactional mail, subscription mail, fulfillment mail/shipments, and marketing mail. Marketing Mail (also called direct mail): Mail that is sent to consumers or prospects by commercial, non-profit, or other organizations for a specific and quantifiable response for commerce, fundraising, or informational purposes. This does not include subscription, transactional, fulfillment, or other mail requested. Materials: The items that are used to produce the components included in mail. Typically this includes, but is not limited to, papers, inks, adhesives, and plastics. Materials Manufacturer: A manufacturer of materials, that may be converted, which physically make up a mail piece. These organizations include, but are not limited to, manufacturers of papers, plastic window films, gums, adhesives, and inks. This does not include manufacturers of equipment used to produce mail materials or components (i.e., printing press manufacturers). Mutagen: A chemical that meets the criteria for category 1, chemicals known to induce heritable mutations or to be regarded as if they induce heritable mutations in the germ cells of humans, under GHS Chemicals Which Cause Mutations in Germ Cells. NTP: National Toxicology Program. OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Ozone Depleting Compounds: A compound with an ozone-depletion potential greater than 0.01 (CFC 11=1) according to the EPA list of Class I and Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances. Paper: References to paper in this program document are intended to include paper, paperboard, cardboard and other mail materials made from pulp for which the original source is commonly, but not limited to, tree fiber. PBT: Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic compounds. Phthalates: Chemicals typically used as, but not limited to, plasticizers (in polyvinyl chloride) and solvents. Post-Consumer Material/Content: Material that would otherwise be destined for solid waste disposal, having served its intended use. Post-consumer material does not include materials and by-products generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing and fabrication process.


Printing and Converting: Organizations that process the mail piece materials (papers, inks, coatings, adhesives, and plastic) into the components physically included in the mail piece. The finished product may include components such as envelopes or printed matter, or may include a finished piece of mail piece. Processed Chlorine Free: Recycled or recovered-content papers in which chlorine or chlorine-containing compounds are not used in any of the unit processes used to manufacture the product, including, but not limited to, the pulping, screening, deinking, washing, and bleaching stages. Recovered (Reclaimed) Material: Material which would otherwise have been disposed of as waste or used for energy recovery, but has instead been collected and recovered (reclaimed) as a material input, in lieu of new primary material, for a recycling or manufacturing process. (Adopted from ISO 14021.) Recyclable: A characteristic of a product, packaging or associated component that can be diverted from the waste stream through available processes and programs and can be collected and returned to use in the form of raw materials or products. Qualifications: If collection or drop-off facilities for the purpose of recycling the product or packaging are not conveniently available to a reasonable proportion of purchasers, potential purchasers and users of the product in the area where the product is sold, then the following shall apply.

a) A qualified claim of recyclability shall be used. b) The qualified claim shall adequately convey the limited availability of

collection facilities. c) Generalized qualifications, such as “recyclable where facilities exist,”

which do not convey the limited availability of collection facilities are not adequate.

(Adopted from ISO 14021.) Recycled Content: Proportion, by mass, of recycled material in a product or package. Only pre-consumer and post-consumer materials shall be considered as recycled content, with the following usage of terms:

(1) Pre-consumer material: Material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process. Excluded is reutilization of materials such as rework, regrind or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it.

(2) Post-Consumer Material: Material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product, which can no longer be used for its intended purpose. This included returns of the material from the distribution chain.

(Adopted from ISO 14021.)


Recycled Material: Material that has been reprocessed from recovered (reclaimed) material by means of a manufacturing process and made into a component for incorporating into a product. (Adopted from ISO 14021.) Renewable Energy: Energy from non-depleting sources and derived from natural processes that are replenished indefinitely, including wind, solar, water, geothermal, and biofuels. Reproductive Toxins: A chemical listed as a reproductive toxin (including developmental, female, and male toxins) by the State of California under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 2, Subdivision 1, Chapter 3, Sections 1200, et. Seq., also known as Proposition 65). Reusable Packaging: A container that is routinely returned to and reused by the product manufacturer or distributor at least five times, and demonstrated in practice. Source Reduction: Activities designed to reduce the volume or toxicity of the waste stream, including the design and manufacture of products and packaging with minimum toxic content, minimum amount of material, and/or a longer useful life. Sustainability: The ability to maintain all ecosystem processes and productivity into the future. In terms of humans, it is the idea that economic, social and environmental spheres can simultaneously prosper perpetually. UPS: United Parcel Service of America. USPS: United States Postal Service. VOC: Volatile organic compounds. Zero Waste: Use of few new raw materials and sending essentially no (<10% of total) discarded materials to landfills (waste-to-energy/incineration is not included as a preferred diversion method) by reusing and recycling, but also, and more importantly, preventing the creation of discarded material.

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