Certifications and standards that support responsible sourcing

A statement from Ben Olk III, CEO of NCCO 

By supporting the development of our people, manufacturing our products responsibly, and nurturing our planet, NCCO strives to be a conscientious corporate citizen. Over the course of our century-long history, we have been committed to planning for the future, consistently reinventing ourselves to remain valuable to all our stakeholders. Our past leads us to be focused on the future and conscious of the impact we have on our planet for generations to come. We, therefore, create opportunities for our people, offer sustainably made products, and commit to reducing our impact on the environment. 

In terms of People, our passion has always been around creating opportunities for our employees, customers, and owners. This has taken many forms over the years, but most recently we pledged to enhance our diversity efforts through the PIM Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Accreditation process. This initiative has encouraged us to recognize the value that we gain from cultivating a wide array of perspectives. Additionally, NCCO has sought ways to allow employees to grow personally, technically, and intellectually. Our tuition-reimbursement program gives members of our team the opportunity to pursue higher education degrees. There are also financial resources available to those interested in other less formal programs that may be one-time classes, workshops, or certifications. Finally, we recently made a commitment to supporting employees interested in volunteering in the community. For our administrative staff, we offer up to 8 hours per year to volunteer with a charitable organization. We continue to offer a wider range of benefits that include Safe and Sick time, short- and long-term disability and numerous employee assistance programs. 

When considering our products, NCCO has consistently been committed to responsible sourcing and sustainable manufacturing practices. NCCO’s paper suppliers must be certified by at least one of the industry monitoring organizations, such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC), and the European Union Timber Regulations (EUTR). These accreditations insure that NCCO’s purchases support smart forest management efforts that reclaim wetlands, replant additional trees, promote reforestation, and conserve wilderness areas.  While these efforts control our supplies, NCCO is the only certified provider of guest checks for the Green Restaurant Association, an organization dedicated to encouraging restaurants to green their operations using transparent, science-based certification standards.  As an enterprise, our product line continues to evolve as we seek to be a leader in providing sustainable offerings to the food service industry. 

To that end, we are committed to evaluating our impact on the planet. This includes understanding and working to minimize our carbon footprint. We are developing ambitious goals to reduce our waste streams and energy usage but also increase our recycling efforts as a means of limiting impact on the natural world. At the same time, we work to positively affect the well-being of the communities in which we live. We have a commitment to giving away 1% of our net income and the beneficiaries of these funds are agencies that address housing inequities, provide necessary social services, and educate our youth.  

Since 1905, NCCO has successfully created opportunities for all our stakeholders. We will continue to be responsible, conscientious corporate citizens to ensure that our people continue to thrive, our products remain relevant, and our planet is better than when we started.