Environment: Paper

We recognize that responsible paper purchasing is an important component of any environmental assessment. We are committed to environmental stewardship, and specifically, to sound paper procurement practices that ensure the sustainability of forests and other natural resources. Our paper procurement policy outlines the standards for the purchase of paper used by our business.

We give preference to paper suppliers that provide third-party chain-of-custody forest certification and focus on reducing consumption as a primary method for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with our paper purchases. In 2011, we purchased approximately 77,703 metric tons of printing paper in North America.

• Chain-of-Custody Forest Certification: We expanded the use of third-party chain-of-custody forest certification for the paper we purchase directly in the U.S. During 2011, we exceeded our goal by obtaining certification on more than 95 percent of our annual purchases in the U.S.
• National Wildlife Federation Grant: In 2011, The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) partnered with McGraw-Hill and the NewPage Corporation to pilot a textbook recycling program. The partnership combines McGraw-Hill's sustainability commitment, NewPage's desire to increase fiber recovery, and NWF's environmental education and sustainability programs. The first recovery program is expected to be launched in 2012.
• Paper Procurement Training: As part of a broader effort to raise awareness of environmental issues, regulatory compliance and the Lacey Act, the Corporation developed a web-based tutorial that must be completed by all employees that purchase paper for use in McGraw-Hill products. The tutorial was launched in 2011 to employees worldwide that met the criteria.