Last month’s Green Team Report covered a wide range of topics. We talked about what AMS is doing in the warehouses to reduce the carbon footprint. In addition, we provided a long list of how we’re handling recycling. The Team also reported on employee transportation and we finished with the latest news. Please refer to the June report for an overview of what a fulfillment company can do to consider our impact on the environment and make decisions that will reduce negative environmental impact.
In our earlier Earth Day report we talked about our membership in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and the AMS Purchasing Department’s decision to create a sustainable packaging catalog to assist our clients in their decision making.
“AMS Fulfillment is proud to say we are an active member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, whose sole purpose is to change the packaging norms and educate businesses on sustainable packaging. To help our clients with options for sustainable packaging, we are creating a Sustainable Packaging Catalog for them to order sustainable supplies and different options from different companies, with the goal of encouraging them to think more eco-friendly with their products.”
This month we will focus again on how the AMS Purchasing Department makes decisions with an eye toward sustainability. Our Purchasing department’s goal is to focus on procuring eco-friendly, sustainable shipping supplies along with everyday standard office supplies. The report is as follows:
Although pick tickets are not used as often, last year AMS switched from standard pick tickets to eco-friendly pick tickets whose base stock is 100% recyclable, certified through the SFC (Sustainable Forestry Council). The adhesive is a soy-based adhesive that is 100% recyclable. Pick tickets originally came from Illinois and the eco-friendly ones are manufactured in LA which reduced carbon footprint of trucking in the product as well as saving on freight and shipping time.
Another impactful investment has been purchasing a cardboard shredder. Instead of baling all the cardboard, we can take cardboard and shred it which can in turn be used as dunnage to fill in empty spaces in boxes.
The copy paper used in all facilities is 100% fully recycled paper certified by the manufacturer and it’s free of elemental chlorine and its by-products.
When it comes to standard office supplies here is a list of some items purchased:
- BIC Ecolutions writing pens (made with 74% recycled plastic)
- Post-It Greener notes made with water-based adhesive and 100% recycled paper. They are also sourced from certified renewable and responsibly managed forests.
- 9×6 notebooks with kraft board cover with paper made from 80% sugarcane waste fibers
- Compostable paper plates
- Compostable forks, spoons, and knives (made of PLA and BPI certified)
- Sustainable whiteboard cleaner (contains bio-based cleaning agents
- Refillable Dry Erase Markers
We have a trio of trash cans in the HQ lobby that have clear signs to make recycling easier. There is also a green box to dispose of batteries safely.
The AMS Green Team continues to work toward our goal, meeting weekly to discuss options and make decisions on how to reduce AMS’ footprint on the environment. Our goal is to be carbon neutral, and we’re pressing forward with the environment as a stakeholder in our decisions.