Amber Lotus 2010.2011 Environmental Statement
Amber Lotus has been practicing environmental stewardship since 1988, and we continue our efforts to engage in the most responsible business practices possible. In 2008 we began printing the interior pages of our calendars on 100% recycled paper, processed chlorine free and using soy-based inks. While this paper meets the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) criteria to be classified 100% post-consumer waste recycled content, it does contain fiber from magazines that were printed but not sold. Therefore, according to US EPA standards, we label it 50% post-consumer waste.
It’s true that our costs increase in using this paper, but we feel the long-term benefits to our global community outweigh any short-term financial concerns. Erin Johnson from Green Press Initiative called this decision “an unparalleled example of leadership.”
The estimated environmental benefit of using this paper (calculated assuming 50% post-consumer waste recycled paper) since 2008 is a reduction in resource usage by:
6,481 trees
2,479,693 gallons of water
4,016 million BTUs of energy
700,509 pounds of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases
350,308 pounds of solid waste
Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator (www.papercalculator.org).
Although our environmental impact has been significantly reduced since our adoption of 100% recycled paper for our wall calendars, we have engaged in two other ongoing initiatives to reduce or offset our carbon footprint and resource usage. The first is through contributions to NativeEnergy’s CoolBusiness Partner Program, which helps finance construction of Native American, family farm and community-based renewable energy and carbon reduction projects. Since 2004 our contributions have offset over 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide. The second initiative is to further offset our paper usage and carbon footprint by planting trees through Trees for the Future. This nonprofit agro-forestry resource center helps communities in Central America, Africa and Asia to restore tree cover to their lands. Our contributions to Trees for the Future have funded the planting of 110,000 trees since 2008. Trees for the Future estimates that these trees remove 2,750 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.
Amber Lotus is a certified Green Business member of Green America and was one of the first publishers to obtain membership with the Green Press Initiative, an organization dedicated to increasing the use of recycled paper in the publishing industry.
Amber Lotus was started by people who knew that making money is not the only interest to be served in business. And while the company is no longer a nonprofit, it still operates under the principles of Right Livelihood upon which it was founded. We continue to take steps not only to reduce the environmental impact of our business, but to offset that impact as well.
