Cottonsoft must demonstrate environmental credentials

MEDIA RELEASE
30.08.11

Foodstuffs requires Cottonsoft to demonstrate environmental credentials

Following Foodstuffs’ review of Greenpeace’s claims regarding APP, the New Zealand owned grocery chain has requested Cottonsoft Limited undertake an independent audit of their environmental credentials.

Foodstuffs New Zealand Managing Director Steve Anderson says, “As an ethical and environmentally concerned business, we believe it is imperative that Cottonsoft demonstrate its products adhere to accepted standards of environmental performance. At our request, Cottonsoft has agreed to demonstrate this by obtaining Environmental Choice certification for all toilet tissue products it supplies to our companies.”

The Environmental Choice certification is the standard recognised by the New Zealand government, and is designed to assess a product’s environmental impact throughout the supply chain. Foodstuffs believe this is a robust, scientifically credible and internationally accepted certification process which gives a product strong environmental credentials.

“Given that Cottonsoft have strenuously denied the claims made by Greenpeace, we believe they should be given the opportunity to prove their credentials stand up under independent scrutiny. Cottonsoft employs a large number of staff in both Auckland and Dunedin, and we feel it would be reckless for Foodstuffs to put their jobs at risk without gathering the appropriate information to support a decision which would negatively affect their business,” continues Anderson.

Foodstuffs is committed to treating all suppliers fairly, and has decided to continue stocking all existing Cottonsoft products while the auditing process is undertaken. By encouraging Cottonsoft to undertake an independent environmental audit, the company hopes to achieve a good outcome environmentally, for its customers and for the Cottonsoft business.

Foodstuffs will monitor Cottonsoft’s progress with the certification process, which may take six to 12 months, and will continue to review the decision to stock Cottonsoft products based on their response to this request, and the progress the company makes over the coming months.

ENDS

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