It is increasingly evident that the effects of large-scale tree removal can have extremely negative environmental consequences and can even contribute to the effects of global warming.  With this in mind, more and more forestry companies, paper manufacturers and printers have been working closely with environmental groups to become more responsible caretakers of forest lands.  These efforts typically amount to planting at least as many new trees each year as are harvested to ensure overall forest acreage is not reduced.   As the largest producer and consumer of paper products in the world, it is vitally important that United States companies from this industry take active measures to support environmental responsibility. Community Energy is honored to count so many of the leading organizations among its customer base.

With all the recent publicity focused on global warming, it is heartening that some of the leading climate campaigners are packagers, paper makers and printers  Over a dozen companies from the printing and paper industries have partnered with Community Energy to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) as a way to reduce their environmental impact, including such industry leaders as Mohawk Fine Papers, EarthColor and Curtis Packaging.

These types of companies are also taking action by using products and business practices certified as environmentally responsible by the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC.  The FSC is a non-profit group whose voluntary members ensure that responsible reforestation practices are upheld by those companies seeking their certification.  Any company wishing to have its products certified by the FSC is required to adhere to strict environmental standards in areas such as production, waste disposal and reforestation.
 
Across the nation, consumers are starting to demand that the brands they support demonstrate environmentally responsible business practices.  Consumers can rest assured that any paper product with the FSC logo on it has undergone rigorous scrutiny and has been produced by environmentally conscientious companies.  So far, eight of Community Energy’s customers from the paper production industries have aligned themselves with the FSC. 
In addition, consumers can look to support companies on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership list, which requires its members to offset a percentage of their electricity usage with renewable energy sources such as the wind energy sold by Community Energy.  To date, seven of Community Energy’s customers from the paper production industries have qualified for the Green Power Partnership, with three of these qualifying for the distinguished “Leadership” designation.  

Community Energy is proud to serve so many environmentally-conscious members of these industries.  Through their example, we can all hope to have responsibly-produced paper products for years to come while still enjoying the beautiful forests from which they are drawn.