Paper manufacturer continues to lead nation in environmental and sustainable practices 

Cohoes, NY – At Mohawk, North America’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates for commercial and digital printing, every day is Earth Day.  

In recognition of Earth Day 2013, Mohawk announces it has been named to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s national list of 100% Green Power Users list for the seventh year in a row.  Mohawk is ranked among other leading renewable energy purchasers including Intel, Whole Foods Market, Staples, the US EPA, Union College, and the Empire State Building.  Mohawk continues its membership in the EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club which it has held since 2005.

“We are pleased to again be recognized by the EPA for our environmental and sustainable business practices.  As a paper manufacturer, we have always understood that our dependence on basic resources such as water, wood fiber, and energy creates a unique responsibility for environmental stewardship. We continually examine every aspect of our business with the objective of minimizing our environmental footprint in every way possible. Environmental responsibility is at the core of Mohawk’s ethos,” said Michelle Carpenter, Vice President, Environmental and Energy Stewardship, Mohawk. 

The EPA defines "green power" as renewable energy sources with the highest environmental benefits: solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, some biomass, and low-impact small hydro.  The 100% Green Power User designation means Mohawk purchases green power at a level matching 100% of on-site electric use, and reducing the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use.

Earth Day 2013 Initiatives

As a company, Mohawk will recognize Earth Day 2013 by encouraging employees to participate in the company’s third annual Earth Day clean-ups. Employees at all Mohawk locations will be encouraged to clean up community areas outside of their workplaces.

In addition, Mohawk will continue its support of charity: water via customer incentives on the company’s retail site (www.mohawkconnects.com).  Beginning on Earth Day, Mohawk will match all charity: water donations made during check-out. Customers currently have the option to donate $5, $10 or $20 – so all donations will now be doubled thru 4/30/13, courtesy of Mohawk.  For more information about charity: water, visit http://my.charitywater.org

Committed to a Cleaner, Healthier Environment

As a leader in environmentally and socially responsible business practices, Mohawk was the first U.S. manufacturer of commercial printing papers to match 100% of its electricity with wind power renewable energy credits and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production. Mohawk’s portfolio of recycled papers is certified by Green Seal and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Mohawk began participating in the Green Power Partnership with the company’s first windpower REC purchase in 2003.  In 2005, Mohawk began to match 100% of the electricity used in manufacturing operations with RECs.  This practice has continued to the present day. 

Mohawk is proud to be an environmentally and socially responsible business, and takes pride in the company’s numerous environmental partnerships and certifications, including longstanding alliances with:

·   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Power Partnership

·   EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership 

·   Green-e Marketplace,

·   Green Seal  

·   The Rainforest Alliance 

·   The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)  

Walking the Talk

Environmental commitment, social responsibility and corporate stewardship are woven into the fabric of Mohawk’s culture and business practices.

Mohawk’s management believes that business and industry have the creative capital and financial incentive to find innovative solutions to the most pressing environmental issues of our day: climate change, depletion of natural resources, and dependence on fossil fuels.

From simple activities like desk-side recycling, to designing and providing a unique Environmental Calculator on the company’s website, to complex decisions about manufacturing techniques, energy choices and vendor selection, nothing is left unexamined by Mohawk, a company that truly walks the talk when it comes to its environmental commitment.

For more information about Mohawk’s environmental and sustainable business practices, visit http://www.mohawkconnects.com/company/environment.

For more information on EPA’s Green Power Partnership, visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/partner100.htm