Greener Catalogs: Improving Paper Practices in the Catalog Industry

Published in 1999 by the Alliance for Environmental Innovation, this report presents the results of a survey of paper practices in 42 apparel catalogs, produced by ten catalog companies, including: Spiegel, L.L. Bean, J. Crew Group, and the Blair Corporation. It argues that leading catalog companies are not using recycled paper despite its availability and comparable quality and price.

The report offers an action plan for greener catalogs, including the use of paper with post-consumer recycled content, expansion of e-commerce practices, and cleaner manufacturing strategies. It includes advice for working with suppliers and offers a list of resources for paper purchasers.