Paper manufacturer continues to lead nation in environmental and sustainable practices, with recognitions and awards from Green Seal and U.S. EPA

Cohoes, NY – Mohawk, North America’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates for commercial and digital printing, celebrates Earth Day (April 22, 2014) while recognizing a significant 20-year environmental anniversary as a manufacturer of Green Seal-Certified Papers.

Green Seal Certification is a process that ensures that a product meets rigorous performance, health and environmental criteria. Mohawk’s relationship with Green Seal dates back to November 1993, when the company first applied for and received Green Seal Certification (GS-7 Standard) for Printing and Writing Papers. Initially, six Mohawk paper grades were certified by Green Seal, and many grades have followed.

2014 also marks Green Seal’s 25^th Anniversary. Over the years, Green Seal has updated their certification standards to require higher levels of post-consumer content to match or exceed federal procurement guidelines.  As one of Green Seal’s longest standing certified-paper manufacturers, Mohawk continues its pursuit of excellence by striving to exceed the EPA recommendations for paper, including Mohawk’s 50% and 100% post-consumer recycled paper products. 

“After 25 years of recognizing sustainability leadership, Green Seal is honored to share this celebration with Mohawk, and their success in creating green papers that perform,” said Mark Petruzzi, Sr. VP of Outreach & Strategic Relations, Green Seal.

In addition to Mohawk’s long standing affiliation with Green Seal, Mohawk continues to lead the paper industry in environmental and sustainable practices and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for many achievements.

Mohawk continues its membership in the EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club which it has held since 2005.  Once again in 2014 Mohawk has been named to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s national list of 100% Green Power Users list, ranking among other leading renewable energy purchasers including Intel, Whole Foods Market, Staples, the US EPA, Union College, and the Empire State Building. 

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 timely basis, and the company’s logistics team is recognized for optimizing shipping methods and routes, and using biodiesel in the Mohawk truck fleet. Additionally, Mohawk has been recognized by the EPA for several notable awards within the last decade, including Green Power Leadership award in 2005, Partner of the Year Award in 2007 and Partner of the Year award in 2009.  

“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 ethos,” said Michelle Carpenter, Vice President, Environmental and Energy Stewardship, Mohawk.

Earth Day 2014 Initiatives

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

Mohawk will recognize Earth Day 2014 by encouraging employees to participate in the company’s fourth annual Earth Day clean-ups. Employees at all Mohawk locations (Cohoes, Waterford and Albany, NY and Saybrook, OH) will be encouraged to clean up community areas outside of their workplaces.

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.

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
• The Rainforest Alliance 
• The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 

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

For more information on Green Seal, visit http://www.greenseal.org.  For information on US EPA SmartWay, visit http://www.epa.gov/smartway/.