More on paper in Shropshire
Many of you may have seen coverage of the APP paper scandal as per FOE's report
Paper Tiger, Hidden Dragons: cheap Indonesian paper sourced by destroying wildlife-rich
Indonesian rainforest is flooding into the UK. It is estimated that this paper
has now entered over half the UK stationery supply chain. Robert Saunders
of Telford FOE is making this a local issue.
APP papers were supplied by West Mercia Supplies, the local authority consortium
stationery suppliers. Their catalogue states that: 'In keeping with our concerns
for the environment all photocopy papers offered are made from pulp obtained
from sustainable and managed sources.' It also possibly misrepresents unrecycled
APP paper as recycled.
It is known that local authorities in Shropshire have actually purchased APP
papers. The Council promotes its commitment to sustainable development and Local
Agenda 21. It even urges local people to fully support its recycling services
but has signally failed to support recycling of paper by a proper purchasing
policy.
A Board meeting of West Mercia Supplies (with councillors as directors) has discussed
the issue and Telford FOE has been approached to advise on a better standard
than the ISO 14001.
Further information is available from Robert Saunders Telford FOE 01952 253705;
roberttcs@aol.com
Chris Crean