Switch to More Sustainable Paper Products at Seattle Central College

In an attempt to be more fiscally, socially, and environmentally sustainable, all Seattle Central College (SCC) buildings recently switched from Georgia Pacific to American Paper Converting (APC) paper towels and toilet paper. Something many of us often take for granted, paper towels and toilet paper in the workplace have a large fiscal, social, and environmental impact. Below are some highlights of how switching to APC via Complete Office at SCC is a more sustainable means of sourcing paper towels and toilet paper.

COMPANIES
1. Complete Office (SCC supplier of APC)
Fiscally
+Established and headquartered in Seattle (SCC is keeping more money in the local Seattle economy)

Socially
+ Works with Federal Way Public Schools and Spokane Public Schools with the
Employment and Transition Program (ETP), which is designed to assist students
with developmental disabilities toward the most independent lifestyle possible

+ Partnered with Elizabeth Gregory Home to help serve women who are recovering
from homelessness by providing transitional supportive housing and hospitality that
will help them move toward an enriched life within the Seattle community

+ Recognized by Seattle Business Monthly as one of Washington’s 100 Best
Companies to Work For

+ Highlighted in Puget Sound Business Journal as a Top Corporate Philanthropy

Environmentally
+ Complete Office has their own “Sustainability Commitment”
+ Recognized by King County as Best Workplace for Recycling
+ Recognized by the City of Tukwila as a Business Recycler of the Year

2. American Paper Converting (APC)
Fiscally
+ Headquartered in Woodland, WA (SCC is keeping more money in the Pacific Northwest regional economy)
+ Harvest and manufacture in the Pacific Northwest, supporting regional rural forestry communities

Socially
+ Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) member
+ National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) member

Environmentally
+ Harvest and manufacture in the Pacific Northwest
+ Supports healthy forests of the PNW
+ Reduces emissions associated with transportation of a very heavy commodity
+ “At APC we understand that there is only one Earth. We are completely committed to the longevity of our planet, so we started making environmentally responsible solutions for your everyday paper needs. “

PRODUCTS
Paper Towels and Toilet Paper
Fiscally
+ APC paper towels are comparable in price to recently sourced Georgia Pacific products, yet reap many other benefits as outlined
+ SCC did not incur any equipment expenses associated with the switch

Environmentally
+ Eco Green™ products now used at SCC are Green Seal certified
+ Towels and toilet paper are made from 100% recycled paper fiber
+ Minimum of 60-65% post-consumer waste (PCW) [meaning, it’s made from paper people recycle, closing the loop on consumer recycling]
+ Remaining 35-40% is post-industrial waste
+ Using recycled content reduces energy consumption during manufacturing by 85%
per unit of production when compared to a process with virgin materials
+ Reduces the harvest and use of virgin wood (3.5 tons of wood is needed to manufacture 1 ton of tissue)
+ Packaging is made from recycled material using environmentally safe dyes and inks
+ Manufacturing process is chorine free (PCF)
+ Designed to reduce paper towels used per person- thus waste
+ No-touch mechanical dispensers eliminate waste associated with disposable batteries (a select few units will have battery operated automatic feature)

Special thanks to the following individuals for making this project a reality:
• Bili Basha, Custodial and Ground Manager, Seattle Central College
• Craig Bush, Procurement Director, Seattle Colleges
• Gigi Parrott Jones, Sr. Account Manager, Complete Office