EPA Names Mohawk to National ‘Top 100 List’ of Environmental Green Power Users 

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

Cohoes, NY – Cohoes-based Mohawk, North America’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates for commercial and digital printing, continues to lead the paper industry in environmental and sustainable practices, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ‘National Top 100 List’ of Green Power Users for the eleventh year in a row.

11 Years of EPA Recognition on ‘National Top 100 List’

As of April 8, 2016, Mohawk ranks 77^th in the nation for green power use,  and has been named to the EPA 100% Green Power Users list for using wind power to meet 100 % of the company’s electricity use.

Since 2007, 100% of electricity used in Mohawk’s operations is matched with Green-e certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Mohawk ranks among other leading renewable energy purchasers including Google, REI, American Express, JP Morgan Chase, The Estee Lauder Companies, Starbucks, Herman Miller and Apple.  

The National Top 100 list represents the largest green power users within the EPA Green Power Partnership, which is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state and federal governments, as well as colleges and universities.

“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 continue to examine each aspect of our business with the objective of minimizing our environmental footprint in every way practicable. Environmental responsibility is at the core of Mohawk’s company culture,” said Michelle Carpenter, Vice President, Environmental and Energy Stewardship, Mohawk.

Mohawk has also qualified for the U.S. EPA SmartWay Partnership, a program of the U.S. EPA designed to reduce transportation-related emissions by creating incentives to improve supply chain efficiency.  

Mohawk efficiently transports paper products across the country on a regular basis, and the company’s logistics team is recognized for optimizing shipping methods and routes, and using biodiesel in the Mohawk truck fleet.

Longstanding environmental alliances and partnerships

Mohawk takes pride in the company’s numerous environmental partnerships and certifications, including longstanding alliances with:

• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Power Partnership
• EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership 
• Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Marketplace
• Green Seal (celebrating a 22-year affiliation)
• The Rainforest Alliance 
• The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)  

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).

Engaging Employees and Community

From a community standpoint, Mohawk encourages its employees to volunteer in their communities and participate in the company’s annual Earth Day clean-up. Employees at all Mohawk locations (Cohoes, Waterford and Albany, NY; South Hadley, MA, and Saybrook, OH) are encouraged to clean up parks, sidewalks, and other community areas in the vicinity of their workplaces on Earth Day each year. Employees are incentivized to pitch in, and educate themselves about responsible use of energy, water and other natural resources.

Supporting STEM Education

Mohawk is engaging students in the New York State New Visions STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Questar III program in an effort to foster a new generation of leaders in renewable energy. 

Mohawk provides real world, practical experiences for high school seniors participating in STEM programs through Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The students participate in laboratory experiments as well as interact with scientific professionals. 

Most recently, Mohawk hosted several STEM student presentations exploring innovative clean energy technologies and carbon reduction projects that could appeal to Mohawk. Students from around the Capital Region presented projects to Mohawk executives spanning topics such as harnessing wind and wave energy, maximizing use of solar and fusion technologies, exploring biofuel and geothermal energy sources and exploration of solid oxide fuel cells for energy.

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