Establishing a Recycling Policy for JA Program Materials and Printing: IMPULSA

The goal was to implement JA More than Money in accordance with HSBC environmental policies and the business sector’s goals for global responsibility. Impulsa printed the JA More than Money curriculum on recycled paper and established a recycling system for program materials. The result is that Impulsa launched the first “green” program in its history and received positive community recognition, especially from volunteers, governmental officials, and HSBC representatives. Specific analysis and outcomes are not yet known (as of the date of publication).

The strategy was to print program materials on recycled paper (FSC Certification, recycled fiber post-consumer from 30 to 00 percent, free from acid and chlorine). Also, a recycling system was created for used materials, so the items could be used more than once (e.g., the Community/Business Game Board, the Consumer Poster, and the Guide for Volunteers and Teachers). Recommendations for recycling were included in training sessions and in a section in the Guide for Teachers and Volunteers.

Other JA Member Offices could use this practice, as more sponsoring companies want to minimize their net contribution to pollution and global warming. However, there are challenges. For example, the use of recycled materials in printing increases costs 15 to 20 percent.

Contact: Alejandra Hernández, alejandra@impulsa.org.mex