Why do we trust them? Mohawk Sustainability

At Green Distributors, we take sustainability and our impact on the environment very seriously. We carefully assess the entire life cycle of every product that we use (and sell) to ensure that they meet our high standards of safety, renewability, sustainability, and fair trade principles.

One of the products that we use regularly is Mohawk's 100% recycled cardstock. This is why we chose the Mohawk brand for all of our cardstock needs. 

 

Image of wind turbines with the words "Energy and Greenhouse Gasses. 100% Green and Renewable"

  

Every paper manufactured by Mohawk carries the “Mohawk windpower” designation. This means all of the electricity used in Mohawk’s manufacturing operations is matched with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from Green-e certified windpower projects. Today Mohawk purchases enough RECs from renewable energy market leaders to match 100% of the electricity they use in their operations. These RECs yield emission reduction benefits equal to planting thousands of acres of forest.

In addition to supporting renewable energy, Mohawk commits significant resources to minimize harmful emissions from their mills. State-of-the-art steam plants have been installed to greatly reduce the amount of air pollutants, and air emissions have been capped at a level that will remain set regardless of production increases. They also conserve energy throughout their organization and participate in state-sponsored energy research and conservation programs. These savings result in continuous efficiency improvements and greenhouse gas emission reductions that have earned Mohawk a reputation for environmental leadership.

Mohawk also offers a number of products that are made carbon neutral within their production processes. In addition to purchasing enough Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to match 100% of the electricity used in its operations, the thermal energy used in the manufacture of this paper is offset through the company’s purchase of carbon credits that fund renewable energy or emission‐reduction projects. Through this process, Mohawk is seeking to manufacture these papers with a net zero climate impact.

  Image of a forest with the words "Fibers and Forests. Where does it come from?"

 
Forestry is a major focus of the global sustainability movement because there are significant consequences to poor forestry practices, including loss of biodiversity, flooding and climate change.

Mohawk does not own or manage forest land. As a non-integrated paper manufacturer, Mohawk does not engage in timber harvesting, direct forest product procurement or wood processing. Mohawk purchases pulp from reputable sources that hold third party certification for their environmental and forest management practices. As one of the largest consumers of market pulp in the U.S., Mohawk can drive compliance through its supply chain.
 
They believe that FSC® is a robust forest management and certification program. With its controls at every stage of the supply chain, FSC is a reliable system for assessment and mitigation of risks regarding involvement with illegal timber harvesting. Through the FSC certification programs, the source and legality of wood fiber is well documented.

Using high amounts of post consumer waste fiber is an important way to reduce pressure on forest lands and Mohawk is a leading producer of recycled paper. They were the first paper manufacturer in the U.S. to receive Green Seal certification. Every year they use thousands of tons of post consumer fiber in the production of their fine papers.
 
Image of a large body of water with the words "Water: Recycled, Reused, and Released Clean"
 
Pulp and paper manufacturers are among the largest users of water worldwide. Large quantities of water are required for the pulping process (reducing wood to a fibrous mat), the bleaching process (whitening and brightening the fibers), and the papermaking process (a slurry of 99% water conveys fiber onto a Fourdrinier paper machine).

In the U.S., water that is used in the pulp and papermaking process is collected and treated before it is returned to the environment.  At Mohawk, water is continually recycled for reuse within the mill. Water that can no longer be used will undergo water treatment processes prior to discharge.
 
A roll of white paper with the words "Chlorine. Environmentally responsible bleaching processes are used".
 
In the not too distant past, the production of bright white paper required the use of pulps that had been bleached with elemental chlorine. This bleaching process resulted in byproducts found to be environmentally harmful. To reduce these byproducts throughout North America, pulp producers have virtually eliminated elemental chlorine bleaching methods and have replaced them with more environmentally responsible technology, primarily "ECF" (elemental chlorine free) bleaching processes.
  • ECF (elemental chlorine free) – These are pulps or papers that may have been bleached with chlorine compounds such as chlorine dioxide (ClO2), as opposed to elemental chlorine (Cl2).
  • PCF (process chlorine free) – These are papers that contain postconsumer recycled fiber that was processed without the use of any additional chlorine or chlorine compounds. If these papers also contain a percentage of virgin fiber, the virgin fiber must have been processed without the use of any chlorine or chlorine compounds.
  • TCF (totally chlorine free) – These are pulps or papers that are bleached without the use of chlorine or chlorine compounds.
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About Mohawk

If you would like to learn more about Mohawk and their story you can find out more here. (Not an affiliate link)