Letter from the Editor

by Chris Morrow

Reverse Logistics Magazine, Jan/Feb 2008

There's much talk these days about global warming and the effects of greenhouse gases. I've been aware that manufacturing operations are a major contributor to CO2 and that many are taking steps to decrease or eliminate their carbon footprint.

We've reported how many of our members are addressing this issue: Wal-Mart is known for their company-wide initiatives focused on waste-reduction, renewable energy and sustainable products; also how HP, Microsoft, Dell, Ericsson, Philips and Cisco have joined a United Nations initiative "that aims to harmonize world policy and legislative approaches to electronic recycling and to standardize recycling processes."¹ And we applaud their efforts.

What I didn't realize until I started research for this column, is that the paper industry — which includes magazines, newspapers, catalogs and writing paper — due to its consumption of energy, emits the fourth-highest level of carbon dioxide among manufacturers ².

So here we are, very pleased that our circulation is rapidly growing, when at the same time we are contributing to one of the global problems that RL aims to contain. The good news is that RLA has long utilized online as a means of disseminating information—news, announcements, registration confirmation, etc. In addition, many recipients recognize the value of the information RL Magazine contains. Many save issues as reference material or pass along to peers.

I don't have the answers... yet; however, as first steps, I'm working with our printer and their paper suppliers to determine whether virgin paper from sustainable forests or perhaps non-wood based paper, from hemp, cotton, or other fibers, might be a better alternative to recycled paper which uses toxic chemicals to de-ink and uses nearly twice the energy expenditure to manufacture.

I do know that if we're going to "talk the talk" we need to "walk the walk." Future columns will include further RL Magazine steps toward reducing our carbon footprint.

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¹ Electronics Supply & Manufacturing, March 5, 2007
² according to a 2002 study by the Energy Information Administration, a division of the Department of Energy.