TORONTO — Recently, the Ontario Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) voted to adopt an environmental paper procurement policy, drafted by the association’s sustainability committee. Sustainability chair of the association, Bernard Hellen, R.G.D. says that the policy came about because the RGD was starting to make paper choices for itself without any clear policy in place. “On one hand we’re advocating to our clients to make responsible paper choices,” he says. “We all know that’s the right thing to do, the statistics are shocking. The pulp and paper industry is the third largest greenhouse gas emitter. We know the actions of our profession have an impact on the planet.”

Secondly, he says the policy which was created through Hellen looking over 25 sustainability procurement policies from other companies is meant to show that the RGD is putting its money where its mouth is. “As an association with a sustainability committee that is going out to members and talking about things to do it is very important that we be doing the right things ourselves,” he says. “How can we have a sustainability committee that is going out and telling members to incorporate sustainability into their practice if there is no oversight of the association itself?”

The emphasis of the first phase of the document is on identifying guiding principles and tangible steps on what RGD Ontario staff can do to reduce their carbon footprint and negative impact on the environment. “To my knowledge we are the first member based design association to come up with a policy like this,” says Hellen. “I think the design industry has lagged a little bit. There is a lot of work being done in sustainability, but we wanted a document that spoke about action. If you talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.” Over the next six months Hellen says RGD Ontario will be developing the policy to cover other marketing activities such as printing and signage production. Contact: Rgdontario.com