The Path to Carbon Neutral

Australia's favourite office paper is now Carbon Neutral and Ultra White

Certified Greenhouse Friendly^TM by the Australian Government, Reflex Carbon Neutral Ultra White features the same premium quality, whiteness, performance and reliability you've come to expect.

For a product to be classified as ‘carbon neutral' all direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with its manufacture must be accounted for, reduced and finally the balance is offset through the purchase of Greenhouse Friendly^TM certified carbon credits. These credits contribute to abatement projects such as landfill flaring, waste composting and residential energy efficiency programs.

Our Commitment

For Reflex Carbon Neutral Ultra White to become certified as Greenhouse Friendly^TM by the Australian Government, Reflex and the Maryvale Mill underwent a comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) which was verified by an independent third party auditor. This process involved 5 steps:

Step 1: We undertook a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) establishing the system boundaries of the paper-making process to calculate all emissions associated with the manufacture of Reflex Carbon Neutral Ultra White. As part of this process we also produced a 5 year emissions monitoring plan.

Step 2: We then calculated all emissions produced per tonne of Reflex Carbon Neutral Ultra White product produced.

Step 3: The process at this stage was then audited by a Government-approved, independent third party.

Step 4: The proposal was then submitted to the Greenhouse Friendly^TM administrator and the Department of Climate Change and Reflex Carbon Neutral Ultra White received approval and certification.

Step 5: The balance of emissions are then offset through the purchase of carbon credits for all remaining emissions. These offsets contribute to the investments in Australian projects provided by the Greenhouse Friendly^TM program for renewable and low emission energy production.

Only after the completion of these steps was Australian Paper entitled to use the Greenhouse Friendly^TM logo for the new Reflex Carbon Neutral Ultra White product. This product labelling signifies and guarantees that the product has been through this rigorous certification process and is bound to the 5 year emissions monitoring plan.

Our Performance

The purchase of carbon credits is just one of the necessary steps involved in becoming certified Greenhouse Friendly^TM and is a great way for us to support Australia's national carbon emissions reduction targets.

However, we believe that it is important to avoid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions where possible and then offset the balance. Here are a few examples of our commitment to that end.

Avoid
Australian Paper is continuously seeking ways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and exploring opportunities for renewable energy alternatives. Currently Maryvale Mill uses wood waste as a renewable energy source through burning pulp residue to produce energy. This contributes to almost half of the Mill's steam and one third of its electrical requirements each year.

Reduce
The Maryvale Mill derives approximately 44% of its energy requirements from bio-fuels which are renewable energy sources. We seek to minimise our use of energy from off-site sources and are continually refining methods to maximise on-site power generation capabilities. We recognise that by reducing reliance on fossil fuels we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are committed to this process for both commercial and environmental benefits.

Offset
Here, the remaining emissions associated with the manufacture of Reflex Carbon Neutral Ultra White is offset through the purchase of carbon credits. The proceeds are re-invested in Government certified, Australian initiatives for renewable energy projects such as the replacement of incandescent light globes to energy efficient globes.

Related Websites

• Click here for more information about Reflex Carbon Neutral Ultra White A4
  
• Click here to visit our Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Click here to visit the Department of Climate Change for information about Greenhouse Friendly™