Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Jostens

Material sourcing
Our sourcing strategy is to confirm that our raw material sources, finished goods suppliers and contract manufacturers support our Values and meet Jostens Business Conduct and Ethics Principles. We follow a strict internal selection and verification process and support third party verification processes that strive for sustainable change throughout industries regardless of location.

Diamonds and synthetic stones
All diamonds purchased by Jostens are certified to be conflict-free by our diamond suppliers, who adheres to the Kimberley Certification Process. Also, Jostens maintains a long-term relationship with a leader in the production of synthetic stones.

Fabrics
As with all raw materials, Jostens follows a strict selection process for fabrics. Graduation gowns are available for purchase or rent and rental gowns are cleaned in a closed-loop dry cleaning system with minimal waste, which is collected and recycled.

Jostens provides a line of innovative regalia for graduates: the Elements Collection®. The Elements Collection fabric fiber is made from wood sourced exclusively from renewable, managed forests. The fabric used in the Elements Collection cap, gown, and hood shell is a biobased product and has been shown in scientific tests to biodegrade under controlled conditions.*

*In a laboratory test conducted by an independent testing facility in accordance with ASTM D5511 and ISO 15985, biodegradation of 85.5% was achieved within 2 months under specific temperature and humidity conditions. Results under different conditions or at landfills in your area may vary and continued decomposition rates are unknown.

In addition, the Eco-Zip™ coil zipper tape and teeth are made from 100% recycled PET.

Gold
As part of our ongoing commitment to sound environmental and social practices, we worked diligently with our gold supplier to confirm that gold is sourced through environmentally and socially responsible sources. Jostens uses recycled gold, often referred to as the "greenest gold", which reduces our need to obtain newly-mined gold for our ring products.

Jostens has endorsed the "Golden Rules" as set forth by the No Dirty Gold Campaign, an Earthworks campaign that promotes responsible gold mining.

Jostens recognizes that Alaska's Bristol Bay Watershed is an ecosystem of national and international significance and we support permanent protection of the Bristol Bay Fishery Reserve from large-scale metals mining.

Paper
Paper is a key raw material used in the production of Jostens' yearbook and memory book products. Jostens is committed to working with its customers in making environmentally educated choices about paper.

All paper used in the production of Jostens' yearbook and memory book products is purchased from paper companies that conduct business in a responsible manner by minimizing their impact on the environment. These companies have sound environmental policies and practices that address how their operations impact our air, water, land and forests.

All paper used in the manufacturing process comes from non-controversial forests that are responsibly managed for sustainability, biodiversity of plants and animals and for soil and water management.

These suppliers are members of numerous forest management associations and they participate in certification processes that vary by location and product lines that include; The American Tree Farm Society, The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® program, The Forest Stewardship Council™, The National council for Air and Stream improvement, The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification and many others.

All pulp used in the production of our paper is elemental chlorine free. This includes all Jostens' paper-based products including yearbooks, memory books, graduation announcements and diploma papers.

Jostens has reduced its paper usage by millions of sheets over the past several years through technology investments and redesigning processes. These reductions have come from schools creating pages online and proofing over the web.

Manufacturing
Our manufacturing strategy is to provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees and avoid adverse impact and injury to employees, the environment and communities in which we do business. Employees whose jobs involve manufacturing have a special responsibility to safeguard the environment in the handling and disposal of materials and emissions.

Jostens facilities participate in a coordinated process to assess opportunities and implement initiatives to reduce our overall carbon footprint through process changes and by reducing, reusing and recycling.

Recycling
Jostens makes efforts to recycle all waste paper, cardboard and aluminum used in the manufacturing process in addition to comprehensive recycling in office environments.

Environmental Sustainability

We make choices every day that impact the people and places around us. Jostens pays special attention to these critical choices. We do our best to reduce our environmental footprint and to add value to students, families and communities with careful consideration for the generations to come. As a market leader, Jostens is committed to supporting initiatives to ensure a bright future for all we touch.

Community Impact and Philanthropy

Jostens supports environmental sustainability through the The Nature Conservancy.

Through the purchase of Jostens Elements Collection® caps and gown, Jostens offers graduates an opportunity to give back to the environment. Jostens will donate $1 to an environmental sustainability project on behalf of students that post a code from their gowns at Responsible Regalia™.