Research and Education Association Policy for "Green" Book Manufacturing Being environmentally responsible is part of good citizenship. We believe that it is a fundamental obligation of every successful company. We are committed to continuously improve the impact that the manufacture of books has on our planet. To us, "green" book manufacturing involves three key elements: 1. What a book is made of 2. How a book is made 3. Where a book is made 1. What a book is made of: Green book manufacturing involves choices in design and materials including the way materials are produced. Paper The basic raw material in a book is paper. Paper's environmental impact depends on factors such as its fiber sources including its recycled content, the forestry practices used to harvest virgin fiber, the manufacturing cleanliness of the paper making process and the distance that the paper must be shipped from the paper mill to the book manufacturer. We endeavor to increase the amount of recycled content in the paper we use. Our goal is to achieve a recycled fiber content of at least 30% of uncoated paper and 10% of coated paper by 2012, with a majority from post-consumer sources. When paper requires virgin wood fiber, we will use paper from mills that use sustainable forestry practices for the forests they own or manage (and require the same from their other sources of wood and pulp) and that possess certification by recognized bodies such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). We will not use paper manufactured from pulp obtained illegally or from endangered forests. By 2012, we intend to utilize FSC (or equivalent) certified papers for at least 20% of our book production needs. We will select paper suppliers who meet or exceed environmental regulations at least as stringent as those required in the United States and Canada. We give preference to suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to use continuous improvement techniques to minimize the environmental impact of paper production on water, air and climate. We intend to source paper from mills in regional proximity to the manufacturers who produce our books to minimize the environmental impact of transportation of paper for our books Inks, Solvents and Adhesives The environmental impact of inks, solvents and adhesives used in the manufacture of a book depends primarily on the amount of petroleum products, alcohol and other volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in these materials. We give preference to manufacturers who use low VOC inks and alcohol-free solutions in their book manufacturing process and who offer substitute materials such as vegetable-based inks (e.g., soy). We do not accept the use of inks with lead or other heavy metals. Jackets and Covers Book jackets and covers are manufactured using paper stocks and binders board subject to the same environmental factors as the text paper, including recycled fiber content and certification of non-recycled fiber content. We intend to increase the use of materials that contain high-recycled content and cover manufacturers who use low VOC inks, laminates and foils on jackets and covers to minimize their environmental impact. 2. How a book is made Green technologies reach into every step of book manufacturing. We are committed to producing books using the highest environmental standards in the industry. Commitment to the Environment We intend to work with book manufacturers who meet or exceed environmental regulations at least as stringent as those in the United States or Canada. We prefer to work with manufacturers who are committed to a continuous improvement approach to reducing the environmental impact of their operations on water, air and climate. Prepress Our publishing operations are 100% digital. We work only with book manufacturers who are fully capable of supporting 100% digital workflows, including the use of paperless online softproofing and computer-to-plate technology. We give preference to manufacturers who produce printing plates using thermal plating technology, which eliminates film and reduces process chemicals. Press and Bindery State-of-the-art computerized process controls in press and bindery operations can reduce the amount of paper used in book manufacturing and can support the use of low VOC and vegetable-based inks and alcohol free solutions. We give preference to book manufacturers who use these technologies to reduce paper consumption and harmful emissions. Energy Conservation and Recycling Energy conservation and recycling programs are important ways in which book manufacturers can reduce the overall environmental impact associated with the production of a book. We give preference to book manufacturers who have active energy conservation programs designed to reduce the energy required per book manufactured and who actively recycle waste paper, printing plates, packaging materials and ink. 3. Where a book is made The environmental footprint of a book changes significantly depending on where the book is made. Environmental Standards Paper mills and book manufacturers that operate in the United States and Canada are held to environmental, health and safety standards that are much higher than the standards that exist in some other parts of the world. We will give preference to manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada. Our goal is to have 100% of our total production come from North America. Shipping and Transportation Ocean shipping is a major source of global pollution. On November 27, 2007, The Wall Street Journal reported that a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation found that "Ships produce an estimated 27% of the worlds smog causing nitrogen oxide emissions in 2005." In addition, "Ships release more sulfur dioxide, a sooty pollutant associated with acid rain, than all the world's cars, trucks and buses combined." Shipping paper long distances to manufacturers in locations such as China and then shipping finished books back to the U.S. causes significant damage to the environment that is in most cases unnecessary. We intend to have less than 3% of our book manufacturing done outside North America to minimize the impact of shipping and transportation on the environment.