Xerox Kisses-up to Greenpeace In Logging Controversy

Xerox Statement on Greenpeace Report
Xerox is a global company with operations in over 160 countries.  We recently learned of Greenpeace’s report concerning Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) and after completing our due diligence we wanted to share the following official executive response with our partners, suppliers, employees, and stakeholders. Xerox is committed to developing and acting on sustainable paper sourcing practices in in all the places around the globe where we conduct business.

We do not currently source from AP&P, and there are no Xerox products in the marketplace coming from AP&P. While at one time AP&P was a Xerox supplier, our corporate direction has been to cease doing business with AP&P on a global basis. This direction was put in place years ago and is based on our stringent paper sourcing guidelines. We have since been working with our local operations in countries around the world to ensure that all paper suppliers for Xerox products must comply with our sustainability standards and that we’re terminating relationships with suppliers like AP&P that do not meet our standards. In working with independent affiliates around the world, we continue to educate and reinforce our sustainability standards and sourcing guidelines, so they can make the same decisions we have with respect to suppliers like AP&P.

4 Responses to “Xerox Statement on Greenpeace Report”
Comment 1
Calvin Beauchesne on Mar 17, 2012

this is laughable. Greenpeace doesn’t lie. STOP using APP!
Comment 2
Andrew Pope on Mar 19, 2012

Firstly thanks for getting back to me on your Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/XeroxCorp, I now see where the original copy of that comment came from, so I’ll repost my questions to it here.

It’s great that you have a commitment to sustainable paper sourcing and that this direction has been in place for a number of years.What’s not clear is how Greenpeace managed to source Xerox paper that has tested independently to contain a strong indication of tropical hardwood fibres (http://tinyurl.com/GreenpeaceRaminPaperBriefing on page 14)
Is it therefore Xerox’s position that the analysis is incorrect, and the paper stock does not contain these fibres?

You mention that your corporate direction is to cease doing business with AP&P and that this was put in place years ago.I wasn’t too sure from what you’ve said whether this direction is now complete, and that you currently do no further business with them directly or indirectly through other suppliers.

You also mention that over the last week you have been working behind the scenes to cease trading with companies that don’t meet your sustainability standards.Is that process complete or do you know at what point that process will complete?

And just finally, are you planning on issuing any further information or media releases at any point in response to the accusation from Greenpeace and your recent research into Xerox’s paper sourcing to confirm your position, or does this blog post constitute Xerox drawing a line in the sand on the issue.
Comment 3
Karen Arena on Mar 19, 2012

Hi Calvin, We took the report very seriously, and we are confident that Xerox paper products are not sourced from AP&P.
Comment 4
Bruce Levitan on Mar 20, 2012

Thanks for this response. I hope that you are telling the truth. If you are, that’s great (and I have left a message on Greenpeace’s blog to similar effect, asking them to update their report accordingly).