24 May 2006 | Rebecca Ellinor

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) has begun using recycled paper for the 4,500 tonnes of stationery it uses in the UK and Ireland each year.

WRAP - the Waste & Resources Action Programme, a not-for-profit organisation set up to promote the efficient use of resources - said it will make a valuable contribution to developing strong and sustainable UK markets for recycled paper products.

WRAP, which RBS used to advise it on the switch, also said it would help to divert paper waste from landfill and advocate manager Jonathan Tame said it "demonstrates a real commitment to sustainable procurement".

Having taken a decision in 2005 to introduce recycled paper if it met quality and reliability standards, RBS carried out a series of trials with its supplier, Office Depot. These showed there was no discernable difference in quality, performance and reliability compared to virgin paper.

* Redactive, the publisher of Supply Management, has become the first publishing house in the UK to be accredited by The Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC) Council. The recognition follows SM's introduction of environmentally friendly, 55 per cent PEFC sustainable graded paper.

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