Xpedx Surpasses Sustainability Goals, Sets More

Distribution company Xpedx exceeded its sustainability goals on recycling and the Energy Star certification of its facilities in 2011, and has pledged new goals for 2012.

In 2011, the subsidiary of International Paper set a goal at the beginning of the year to recycle 2,400 tons of material. It achieved 109 percent of its goal. This year the company is aiming for a 15 percent increase in recycling rates on 2011 figures.

Recycling is also part of Xpedx’s long-term goal to reduce waste by 10 percent annually, and trash costs by 10 percent total, over a three-year period ending December 2013.

Also last year, the company set a goal to earn the Energy Star certification in eight of its largest locations, and surpassed its goal by qualifying for the mark at nine facilities. Energy Star-qualified buildings save money and protect the environment because they meet strict energy performance standards, use less energy, are less expensive to operate and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than peer facilities, Xpedx says.

The company also worked with student teams from non-profit organization Net Impact in 2011 to develop a sustainability survey and scorecard for its supply chain. The survey and scorecard are in use today, and Xpedx will analyze its results throughout 2012. This year the company has pledged to expand implementation of its sustainability survey and scorecard to additional suppliers representing more than 75 percent of its purchases.