Appleton Coated Achieves Green Master Award for Sustainability Efforts for Fifth Consecutive Year

COMBINED LOCKS, Wis.—January 12, 2016—For the fifth year in a row, Appleton Coated earns the designation of "Green Master" through the Green Masters Program of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council. Company representatives were honored at the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council Conference on Dec. 4 for attaining the highest tier achievable in the program.

"It is clear that Appleton Coated has embraced sustainability and has integrated the idea into all facets of their business," praised Tom Eggert, executive director of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council.

Contributing to its 2015 Green Master Award, Appleton Coated has expanded its product offering to include more items made with high levels of post-consumer recycled fiber (PCRF) and more items made with Green-e certified green power through its purchase of renewable energy credits (recs).

Jenni Birkholz, senior marketing specialist for sustainability, explained, "At Appleton Coated we are committed to continual improvement of our environmental impact. Responsible sourcing, high PCRF products and renewable energy are key touchpoints. For our customers, our products and practices support their sustainability efforts in environmental compliance, supply chain and in their printed materials." She continued, "Employee involvement is another key area for us, driving awareness, involvement and improvement across our organization."

As a Green Master, Appleton Coated's performance was evaluated using nine sustainability areas: energy, carbon and other emissions, water, waste management, transportation, supply chain, community and educational outreach, workforce and governance. Only the top 20 percent of participating companies achieve the highest "Green Master" designation.

"Sustainability is obviously a core value," added Eggert. "Every year that Appleton Coated has participated in the program, they have been recognized in the group of top-performing companies."

2015 Sustainability Achievements by Appleton Coated:

• Recognized in 2015 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for its environmental transparency by participating in the WWF Environmental Paper Company Index (EPCI) which recognizes transparency and continual improvement of participants.
• Eight-year Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partner and 2015 SmartWay Excellence Award Winner. Since 2010, 99 percent of outbound freight leaving Appleton Coated is shipped with partner carriers that have the EPA’s SmartWay designation—an industry benchmark.
• Member of the EPA Green Power Partnership since 2011 and named to the National Top 100 for 2015.
• One of only seven Green Tier II companies recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as having exceptional environmental management systems in place.

About the Green Masters Program
The Green Masters Program is an objective, points-based recognition program that enables Wisconsin institutions of all sizes and from any sector to join a group of like-minded companies that are "on the road to sustainability." Developed by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council, in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin, the Green Masters Program helps to recognize Wisconsin's sustainability leaders and encourage continuous improvement. Nearly 200 Wisconsin Businesses are participating in the program, and only the top 20 percent achieve the highest "Green Master" designation.

About Appleton Coated
The first North American coated paper mill to be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified (FSC C007796), Appleton Coated maintains ISO14001 certification. It is recognized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for its environmental transparency by participating in the WWF Environmental Paper Company Index (EPCI) which recognizes transparency and continual improvement of participants. It is an eight-year Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partner and 2015 SmartWay Excellence Award Winner.

It is a member of the EPA Green Power Partnership since 2011 and named to the National Top 100 for 2015. It is also a Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council Green Masters Winner for the last five years. Additionally, it is one of seven Green Tier II companies recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as having exceptional environmental management systems in place.

Appleton Coated is a manufacturer and distributor of coated, uncoated, specialty and technical papers sold under the Utopia and other brand names. The company’s products are used in high-end commercial printing, textbook publishing, label papers, transactional printing and a variety of specialty and custom applications. Selling through a chain of highly respected paper distributors, the company serves corporations, publishers, printers, converters, and graphic designers in North America.  Appleton Coated’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility are located in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. The company has over 600 employees, including 435 represented by USW Local 2-144.

Source: Appleton Coated.