Dogwood Alliance is celebrating 15 years of protecting forests, and we’re sharing the stories of our successes along the way with a monthly blog post series, “15 for the Forests.” This is post 2 of 15.
15 For the Forests: Changing the Office Supply Industry, Starting with Staples
After sinking its roots into organizing work with a campaign to stop chip mills in Southern forests, Dogwood Alliance decided to refine its approach in 2000 with a targeted effort to influence the paper marketplace. As it’s first target, Dogwood chose office supply leader Staples.
“Our Staples campaign marked the first time that the paper industry had been challenged in the marketplace,” recalls Doug Sloan, then board chain of Dogwood Alliance. Over two years, beginning with a national Day of Action on November 15, 2000, Dogwood Alliance organized more than 600 protests nationwide.
“We mobilized student groups, individual activists and other environmental groups in a national partnership with Forest Ethics,” says Scot Quaranda, Campaign Director. “We got the band REM to do public service announcements for us on MTV and VH1. Our executive director, Sarah Hodgdon was interviewed on The News Hour with Jim Leher, CNN Headline News and Marketplace on NPR. It was the first time we were able to engage people across the U.S. and in Canada in our work.”
Dogwood staff and volunteers also maintained a constant pressure on Staples’ leaders. “We would bring up the issues of forest conservation and Staples’ sourcing practices at shareholder meetings, publicly challenging their policies and requesting that they fly over our Southern forestlands to see the impacts of their actions. They agreed, which was a good sign.”
Dogwood Alliance first met with Staples’ leaders in person in January 2000. “They were receptive,” says Danna Smith. “It took two years of meetings, but they did finally adopt a policy. I remember sitting side-by-side with the vice chairman of their board to announce the end of the campaign and Staples’ groundbreaking new environmental policy. It was a great moment for Dogwood.”
Initially, Staples committed to sourcing paper that was at least 30% post-consumer recycled fiber and to sourcing nothing that is produced from endangered forests. Now their goal is to carry at least 50% post-consumer recycled content or FSC certified content for all of its paper products, making the company the environmental leader for its industry.
Who better to illustrate the future hope for our forests than kids? This summer the Dogwood Alliance team visited camps across Asheville, Western NC, and points beyond and invited youth to submit hand-drawn art about Southern forests as part of a summer-long contest. The winning design was to be featured on our new 15th anniversary t-shirts. We received over 400 entries, and the winner is Anne Hope, age 11, of Raleigh, NC who attended Camp Celo in Burnsville, NC.
The second place drawing was by Keegan, age 9, who attended Fletcher (NC) Day Camp. The third place drawing came from Alex, age 10, who attended day camp at the Reid Center in Asheville, NC. All three children received one of the new t-shirts and an award certificate.
The T-shirts bearing Anne Hope’s artwork were unveiled at Dogwood Alliance’s 15th Anniversary party on November 5th at Highland Brewing in Asheville.
The contest was judged by Asheville area artists Ursala Gullow, Kathryn Temple, and Satellite Gallery Owner Bill Thompson.
T-shirts are available in kids, women’s and men’s styles. Your purchase helps extend the work of Dogwood Alliance for another 15 years!
Help us celebrate in style!
Order today! You can order a t-shirt by becoming a member of Dogwood Alliance and making a $25 or greater donation. Please email Amanda and indicate your t-shirt size preference (Men’s American Apparel Brown/Tan Ringer S, M, L or XL; Women’s Blue S, M, L, or XL; Youth White Size 8, 10, or 12).
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