Sustainability – your choices make a difference

Most modern workplaces offer recycle bins for staff to use, but what about checking the quality and quantity of the print paper being used? Are print cartridges being recycled? Is stationery being wasted or over-stocked? Can you find more sustainable product alternatives?

There are dozens of initiatives and environmental agencies at local, national and international level that can offer guidance. They’ll show you whether the providers in your supply chain are using sustainable resources, and they’ll collaborate with you to improve the eco performance of your business.

By sourcing responsibly, you can make serious strides towards a greener, more sustainable future for everybody. 

With increasing pressure for companies to measure and control their environmental and social impacts, choosing the right products and suppliers is no longer just a matter of cost, but a responsibility.

At 3M, our ethos has always been to improve, enhance and progress. It’s more than a company culture, it’s our deeply rooted philosophy which runs across our organisation. It has led to innovation not only in the products we make, but how we run the business and our attitude towards the planet. That’s why for nearly 40 years, we have dedicated ourselves to meeting the challenge of a greener, more sustainable planet by finding better solutions to every day needs. Recognised worldwide for our environmental commitments and results, we believe that businesses can lead the change when it comes to a sustainable future.

3M supports the United Nations Global Compact that commits companies to operate responsibly. We’re members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCD) and have been a part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since its creation in 1998.

Due to our efforts, we’ve been rated ‘Gold’ by EcoVadis (supplier sustainability ratings), placing us in the top 1% of major global companies and selected as a World’s Most Ethical Company for the fifth year in a row by Ethisphere Institute.

We direct our sustainability focus towards five global challenges: raw materials, water, energy and climate, health and safety, and education and developing. They set long terms goals and clear aspirations, which we try to address through our technology and innovation.

• We use less resources and more renewable material in our manufacturing processes to create minimal environmental impact. Our recycled Post-it® Notes are Blue Angel certified, Scotch® Greener Choice products use bio-based material and by using paper packaging tape on cardboard (instead of plastic tape), allowing us to improve the quality of material sent for recycling.
   
• One of our fundamental environmental, health, and safety policies and processes is Life Cycle Management (LCM). LCM is a process used to identify sustainability opportunities throughout a product’s life cycle and supply chain – ideal for any procurement manager looking for a range of high quality, green office products.
   
• We introduced the 3P (Pollution Prevention Pays) initiative in 1975. From the very beginning, we’ve cared about decreasing our environmental footprint. The programme has prevented the creation of over 2.1 million tonnes of pollutants.
   
• We have set up a ‘Pulp and Paper’ Policy, which applies to our entire supply chain and commits to sourcing paper-based products that are legal, traceable, not associated with deforestation or harm. It values high conservation, and respect workers and indigenous peoples’ rights. In addition, all our Post-it® Standard Notes and Post-it® Super Sticky Notes are PEFC certified.