Stage One – Identifying the need for change.
In 2008 The Ribbon Supply Company Pty Ltd (“TRS”) introduced a company wide policy to reduce carbon emissions, with the objective of being carbon neutral within 5 years. Our mantra was simple - “avoid, reduce or offset.” Growing increasingly concerned with the effects of climate change we decided drastic action was required. Having witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change and environmental degradation on the Australian landscape, we were determined to be part of the solution. We applied the same rational we use to satisfy our customers, that real problems require real solutions.
Stage Two – Our first steps in the green revolution.
We began our move with an internal review based around a Carbon Management Reduction Plan. A number of areas were identified and changes made to office management policies; including the introduction of motion-based lighting, minimizing air-conditioning use, and reducing computer time. As TRS freights a considerable amount of stock Australia wide, we reviewed our partnerships in favour of freight companies with policies designed to reduce carbon emissions. This is a “work in progress”. Finally we sought to minimize our waste, as the vast majority of this was being sent to land fill.
In 2009 a carbon audit was completed by the Carbon Reduction Institute. The audit covered Scopes one, two and three. It considered our electricity usage, fuel from the company fleet, air travel and our internal freight emissions as well as our waste including our warehouse waste. Not surprisingly, a comprehensive review of our emissions yielded a figure of 123.94TCO2E/pa. These emissions were completely offset through Carbon Conscious involving the purchase of 620 seedlings planted in marginal farming land in Western Australia. Details of this project can be found on our website.
Stage Three – Initial successes and certification.
Our most recent review (2010) highlighted our successes to date, with our total footprint dropping to 61.29 TCO2E/pa. In our first year alone we succeeded in halving our emissions – a fantastic outcome for all concerned. While not carbon neutral yet, these figures demonstrate that we are heading in the right direction. We will offset our 2010 figures with Redd Forests by purchasing 400 trees in Tasmania
While able to exercise control over internal work practices in favour of sustainability, we also made a decision to broaden our commitment by greening our supply chain. We support, and encourage our suppliers to introduce sustainable products and programs. As part of our social corporate responsibility we have sought to lead by example - and have obtained what we considered to be the most significant accreditation in our industry. After careful research we concluded that the FSC Australia© or the Forestry Stewardship Council’s aims matched our position. That the way forward for the paper industry is to support sustainable forestry practices. The Ribbon Supply Co Pty Ltd gained its FSC® accreditation in January 2009. To reinforce our commitment to the process of change and to represent small and medium sized enterprises, the Ribbon Supply Co Pty Ltd became a member of FSC Australia’s Economic Chamber in 2011.
Stage Four – A greener future.
There is still significant work to be done - and our efforts are hampered by the availability of environmentally sustainable products. Despite this the company is actively seeking paper products that are made from forests that have FSC® accreditation. We created enviroPos™ - Our flagship brand consisting of only FSC® certified products. We are able to guarantee these products through the FSC® Chain of Custody certification. With enviroPos™ you are supporting more sustainable pulp and forestry practices that can be traced all the way to the source timber, with every link, and every supplier audited by FSC® certifiers.