Sustainability, environmental protection and ecological conduct have become key issues in the stationery sector so will be forming a big part of next year’s Paperworld. The international trade fair for paper, office supplies and writing instruments has been addressing the ‘green office’ theme for years and is now focusing on it even more closely.
Recycled paper has been a standard part of stationery stores product range for many years. However, environmental protection has long since ceased to be limited to paper products and retailers and manufacturers from every sector of the office and stationery industry are increasingly focusing on sustainable and environmentally friendly products.
On 28th January, the fair's Sustainable Office Day is dedicated to sustainable products and environmentally conscious purchasing. Lectures and examples of best practice will present practical solutions for sustainable and environmentally friendly office equipment.
Michael Reichhold, Director Paperworld said, "environmental protection and sustainability are not short-lived hot topics. On the contrary, an awareness of these issues has become established in the office and stationery sector, which manufacturers, buyers and consumers address in a variety of ways. No-one wishing to remain future proof can turn a blind eye to this subject. Our 'Sustainable Office Day' aims to set an example for the entire industry.”
The Paperworld team is supported by B.A.U.M. e.V. (German Environmental Management Association) as a cooperation partner. In the course of the action day, the environmental organisation will present a programme of lectures in ‘Saal Europa.’
The Sustainable Office Day is accompanied each year with a Green Directory brochure published by Chmielorz Verlag in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt. It covers current sustainability-related topics, and documents companies offering green products with a description and placement in the hall plan.
In addition, the Agency for Renewable Resources (Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe - FNR) will be presenting itself with the ‘Renewable Office’, for which there is also a booklet. As lead partner of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the FNR promotes greater consideration of sustainable (office) products in public and private procurement. The staff at their booth will explain the connection between product selection and climate because, with 18 million office workplaces in Germany and numerous home offices, there is great potential for plant-based innovative product alternatives.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will also feature. Its task is to promote the environmentally friendly, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of forests worldwide. The independent, non-profit, non- governmental organisation is today represented by national working groups in over 80 countries. FSC employees at the stand inform about the requirements for FSC certification for paper products and advise both exhibitors and visitors. There is also a Green Pages information booklet published yearly, which lists all FSC-certified Paperworld exhibitors.
