Cottonsoft asked to prove green credentials

Supermarket chain Foodstuffs has asked toilet paper maker Cottonsoft to back up its environmental credentials, amid accusations its uses tropical rainforest timber in toilet paper sold here.

The owner of the New World, Pak 'n Save and Four Square supermarkets has asked Cottonsoft to obtain Environmental Choice certification, which is recognised by the Government, after Greenpeace, the Green Party, and WWF New Zealand accused it of felling Indonesian rainforests, home to critically endangered Sumatran tigers.

Greenpeace called for a customer and retailer boycott but Cottonsoft said it had been unfairly targeted and it had undergone Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

Foodstuffs New Zealand managing director Steve Anderson said it was imperative that Cottonsoft demonstrated its products adhere to accepted standards of environmental performance.

"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."

The certification process could take up to 12 months, and Foodstuffs would continue to sell Cottonsoft products in that time.

Cottonsoft, a subsidiary of Asia Pulp and Paper, confirmed it would seek Environmental Choice certification for its retail products.

Director of corporate affairs Steve Nicholson said the company was responding to its retailers and consumers.

With both certifications, Cottonsoft's products would have market-leading environmental credentials, he said.

"During the audit process for this certification... our sustainability credentials and the value of our PEFC certification will become even more evident.

"This additional certification will allow consumers to have complete peace of mind and full assurance that Cottonsoft operates sustainably and responsibly."

The Warehouse suspended sales of Cottonsoft products pending an investigation into their source, and the other major supermarket chain, Progressive Enterprises, said it was monitoring the situation and had written to Cottonsoft urging it to talk with the environmental groups.

 

 

 

 

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