Leading Paper And Office Company Promises To Get All Materials From Ethical Sources!

treeThis week, leading office supplies manufacturer 3M announced that they will be sourcing their materials from distributors that use ethical practices. In a press release, 3M said that they will only purchase their wood products and materials from sources who protect forests and respect human rights.

“In addition to the environmental elements of today’s policy, it also sets strong standards related to social concerns, including respect for workers’ rights and indigenous peoples’ rights to free, prior and informed consent to operations on their traditional lands. Under the new policy, all paper-based products and packaging suppliers are required to provide information on the original forest sources of the virgin pulp in 3M’s products, and allow those sources to be assessed against 3M’s policy,” the press release said.

ForestEthics an independent environmental protection agency, will be teaming up with 3M to help them ensure the quality of their sources and also ensure customers that 3M will be keeping their end of the bargain. ForestEthics has been pressuring 3M to improve their business practices for many years, but have finally gathered enough public support to convince 3M that they need to do business ethically if they want people to buy their products.

“To drive change across the industry, 3M will engage with its direct and indirect suppliers, to educate them on the forestry issues addressed in the policy, and support them to set up their own responsible fiber sourcing programs. The hope is that this will have a ripple effect in driving positive change beyond 3M’s fiber supply, leading to widespread market demand for protection of forests and respect for workers’ and indigenous peoples’ rights,” the press release stated.


John Vibes writes for True Activist and is an author, researcher and investigative journalist who takes a special interest in the counter culture and the drug war. 

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