greenpiece: Unisource Wants You 
to Keep Score

Kids have report cards. Sports pros keep tabs on games. So, why shouldn't suppliers in the print industry keep score of their environmental impact?

That's exactly what Norcross, 
Georgia-based Unisource Worldwide Inc., a leading distributor of paper, packaging and facility supplies in North America, is asking suppliers to do.

Unisource Worldwide is asking suppliers to complete a Sustainability Scorecard to ensure that environmental responsibility is being practiced and assessed according to standard industry procedures.

This environmental appraisal tool offers an in-depth look based on 15 questions Unisource is asking of its suppliers. The scorecard serves as a comprehensive response for the information required to complete the sustainability assessment and explore in great detail the business case and potential benefits for companies to measure and manage their environmental impacts. The questions are grouped into four categories: 1) Energy & Climate; 2) Material Efficiency; 3) Nature & Resources; and, 4) People & Community.

"We are striving to achieve our corporate sustainability goals with a shared commitment and partnership from our supplier base," said Unisource vice president of sustainability Nancy C. Geisler, in outlining the basis for the Unisource Sustainability Scorecard.

"By working closely together with them, we will both be assured that we are minimizing future business risk associated with environmental and social factors," she said.

Unisource's program is based on the Walmart Sustainability Scorecard, which was first announced in July 2009 and is now viewed as best practice in the area of corporate sustainability. The scorecard, which was officially unveiled at the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2006 and launched in February 2007, evaluates Walmart and Sam's Club suppliers on the sustainability of their packaging and offers suggestions for improvement.

As a leader in corporate responsibility, Unisource recently hosted its second Supplier Sustainability Symposium which focused on the accomplishments of the company's suppliers as well as the challenges of maintaining corporate sustainability initiatives for the future. The symposium also featured guest speakers and leading authorities on environmental responsibility and sustainability.