xpedx Earns ENERGY STAR in Connecticut Facility

CINCINNATI—December 20, 2013—xpedx has earned the ENERGY STAR designation at its location in Middletown, CT (425 Timber Ridge Rd.). xpedx has therefore fulfilled its goal of earning the ENERGY STAR designation in seven of its facilities for 2013. Earning the ENERGY STAR designation at these sites was one of several sustainability goals that xpedx achieved this year.

“Pursuing sustainability goals is an important part of our commitment to maintain environmentally efficient business practices,” said Michelle Kennedy, sustainability operations manager, xpedx. “We share these results so everyone can see how we integrate sustainability into our operations, product choices and leadership initiatives.”

The ENERGY STAR designation is given to buildings scoring in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency, based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s energy performance rating system. Qualified facilities meet strict energy performance standards, use less energy, are less expensive to operate and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than peer facilities. xpedx has earned the ENERGY STAR designation at 27 locations since 2011.

xpedx also achieved its 2013 goal to earn the Green Globes at one of its locations by earning a rating of two Green Globes at its Fairfield, OH, facility earlier this year. The Green Globes assessment and rating system is a third-party program that is used to evaluate green building design, operation and management. The xpedx facility in Fairfield is its second facility to earn a two Green Globes rating in the past two years.

xpedx enhanced its Sustainability Survey and Scorecard in 2013 and continued to engage suppliers representing 75 percent of its purchases. The Survey and Scorecard evaluate the role sustainability plays among xpedx suppliers in the areas of corporate commitment, key sustainability indicators and collaborative potential. The results from this year’s Survey and Scorecard will serve as the benchmark metrics for 2014 and beyond.

xpedx renewed its Chain of Custody certification with the Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. It also continued its policy in which at least 90 percent of its marketing materials use Chain of Custody certified paper. Additionally, the business began purchasing consumable food and paper products for internal use only from suppliers that adhere to environmental efficiency guidelines.

Throughout 2013, xpedx maintained its position as a SmartWay Transport Partner, which reflects its commitment to reduce emissions from its fleet. xpedx also partnered with a third-party organization to track waste diversion rates at all of its locations in an effort to reduce landfill materials.

xpedx continues to offer one of the most extensive lines of sustainable products that meet recognized third-party standards. These products are backed by its experts in the field and are supported by extensive reporting capabilities that give customers the information they need to track and meet their established sustainability goals.

About xpedx
Cincinnati-based xpedx, a business of International Paper (NYSE: IP), is one of the largest business-to-business distribution companies in North America. xpedx distributes a wide variety of printing, packaging and facility supplies and equipment to printers, manufacturers, retailers and commercial facilities from locations across North America.

Source: xpedx.