turned its back on a lucrative contract with Greater Wellington regional council because of the authority's insistence on using paper [Sapphire Offset] the printer says is sourced from Indonesia.
Printcraft's General Manager, Lance Johnson, says
the paper specified by GWRC is produced by Singapore-based Asia Pulp & Paper (APP). The pulp and paper giant has been at the centre of many environmental controversies and has been accused of being involved in illegal logging in Cambodia and Indonesia.
Because Printcraft refuses to use paper from APP it no longer has a contract with Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Lance Johnson's email to the regional council says it all:
"We wish to make it very clear that our resignation as a preferred print supplier to GWRC is because of your continued unwillingness to properly examine the reasons why you should not continue to specify Sapphire Offset - a dereliction of duty that makes a mockery of the council's sustainability claims."
An internet search revealed that Printcraft was not alone in being concerned about APP's environmental practices. Examples include office supply giant Staples Inc. dropping APP as a supplier due to concerns over its environmental performance.
Ironically the printing jobs at issue were pamphlets to support the regional council's environmental initatives.
Top marks to Printcraft for taking an ethical stand ahead of profits.
