Social responsibility MISSION

Mills has set out to make a real change in its carbon footprint and invest in new environmentally friendly ways of delivering its products. The Carbon-Free Delivery Program is truly a partnership with our customers who are also looking to make a commitment to sustainability.

By utilizing new emission-free delivery methods Mills is taking gas powered vehicles off the road and replacing them with efficient carbon-free modern methods of delivery. Now that is something we can all breathe easier knowing!

1. Zero-Carbon Delivery - utilizing a carbon-free delivery method, such as our electric vehicle or delivery tricyles (see below).
2. Delivery Reduction - this requires a commitment from the customer to receive thier office supply order once a week. This is designed to reduce deliveries and maximize the reach of our zero carbon delivery resources.
3. Closed-Loop Packaging - Goods are packaged using reusable plastic totes from FrogBox (see below) and left with the customer to use as a recycling bin in their office. Upon the next delivery Mills will pick up any paper, binders, markers, pens, toner and batteries collected in the bin for recycling and at the same time deliver the next order with a new plastic tote.

EMISSION-FREE DELIVERY TRICYCLES
Shift is the first business of its kind in Canada, replacing delivery trucks and vans with a more appropriate and efficient technology for urban distribution: zero-emissions, heavy-duty cargo trikes. Shift is founded by young entrepreneurs with a shared vision to create empowering green jobs, and to reduce the impact of goods movement in Vancouver.
Visit www.shift.coop for more information, or click here to read more about Shift Urban Delivery.

RE-USABLE DELIVERY TOTES
Mills partnered with FrogBox to purchase eco-friendly reusable delivery bins for office supplies. Bins are left with the customer until the next delivery during which time they are encourage to fill the bin with a wide range of recyclables including: pens, markers, toner cartridges, binders and batteries. Inherent in this system is a reduction in the number of deliveries made each week. Contact us today to find out how you can have your goods delivered with our blue bins!

Mills also has a company-wide toner and box recycling program whereby all Mills drivers will pick up any used boxes for recycling or re-use by our shipping department. Drivers will also take away any empty toner or ink cartridges to be re-manufactured by a local organization.

CARBON NEUTRAL
Since 2007,  Mills Basics is a carbon neutral company. To achieve this status, Mills has partnered with Offsetters - a Vancouver Based carbon offset company.

Going carbon neutral is a three part process:

• Determine your carbon footprint, by compiling data such as gasoline consumption, waste output, staff commuting, and
  energy use.
• Purchase carbon offsets (based on your footprint) which are investing into projects such as reforestation, renewable energy, and alternative energy research.
• Take step to reduce company wide greenhouse gas emissions through various internal initiatives.

For more information about Offsetters, please visit www.offsetters.ca

H.A.V.E CAFÉ
H.A.V.E. Culinary Training Society is an innovative program on the Downtown Eastside where its students learn culinary skills, and upon graduation students are provided with job placement in the restaurant industry. Mills Basics provided the monetary support necessary to get H.A.V.E. started in late 2007. Mills Basics also donates office supplies, provides marketing support, and Brad Mills sits on the Board of Directors. H.A.V.E. is simply one of the many examples of how Mills Basics continues to support the rehabilitation of the Downtown Eastside. For more information please visit www.have-cafe.ca.
To watch video on the successes of H.A.V.E. Cafe click here.

BUY SMART NETWORK
In 2008, Mills Basics was a founding member of the Sustainability Purchasing Network, now The BuySmart Network. This organization is the primary source of information and education on sustainability purchasing in Canada . They operate in support organizations in their efforts to buy smarter, greener, and with more social consciousness. BuySmart's primary goals are to:

• encourage the demand for and use of products and services that support positive environmental, social, ethical, and economic impacts,
• help organizations meet their strategic goals through proactive sustainability procurement, and
• support the development of green / sustainable products and services.
  For more information please visit www.buysmartbc.com.

CLEANPRINTBC CERTIFIED
In 2005, Mills Basics was certified by CleanPrint BC - an organization dedicated to improving environmental management practices in BC's screen and off-set printing operations. Currently, the Mills Printing Division works to protect the environment in the following ways:

• Mills uses non-skinning vegetable-based soy-oil ink to reduce toxicity and prevent dry ink skins from being disposed of in the landfill
• Mills annually recycles approximately 375 cubic metres of used paper plus another 185 cubic metres of used corrugated cardboard
• Mills accumulates all plastics, metal and wood including skids and arranges for them to be taken away by recycling aggregators
• Mills has eliminated film generation
• Mills reduces the use of solvents at every opportunity to reduce cost and improve environmental performance
• Mills has established and maintains a program of continuous environmental improvement and a target of zero spill or pollutants