Spicers’ Charles Miller spoke to a gathering at dawn at the rainforest, about how Spicers is the only paper merchant in New Zealand with environmental management system credentials with its commitment towards the Enviromark program.
Miller also discussed the company’s 9lives offset paper, which he described as “born again paper”. Although it is not strictly a New Zealand-made paper, manufactured in Australia, it is the closest this country has had to a local made product for some time.
Made from 50 per cent recycled paper and 50 per cent New Zealand pulp, it is “one of the most sustainable offerings on the New Zealand market,” Miller says.
Spicers has taken the lead on environmental issues in the New Zealand paper market, gaining environmental certification and winning awards for its recycled products, such as its Reflex recycled product which now carries the Environmental Choice label
The company has plans for Reflex. Currently at 35 per cent recycled, the recycled content will be increasing to 50 per cent, but will be supplied at the same price.
Miller says that recycled product today can no longer be priced at a premium: “People are not prepared to pay extra for recycled product any longer. It has to be mainstream and that’s one of our founding parameters.”
Speaking about environmental certification, Miller discussed FSC and PEFC certification, which FSC contains more performance standards and more points under the Government’s Govt3 sustainability programme.
Spicers is the only paper merchant in New Zealand to have achieved FSC certification, which entails the meeting of strict environmental standards not just in the areas of pulp and paper, but also in the distribution chain that paper takes on its way to market.
“Spicers are driving attitudinal and behavioural change,” Miller says.
The company continues to move forward in the environmental arena. Its 9lives offset product will soon be available in three different weights, and in April, it will introduce 9lives coated, with 55 per cent recycled fibre, and fully FSC approved.
