Herlitz Papier-, Büro- and Schreibwaren AG, known to most people simply as Herlitz, takes its responsibility as the manufacturer of office supplies and school stationery very seriously – in fact, this position heightens our awareness of what is required from us. Every year, we make sure that sustainability plays a major role in our business activities. Sustainability means awareness when using resources as well as ensuring our customers and stakeholder alike can rely on the outstanding quality for products and processes. What we do is more than just business: we want to be involved in society in all kinds of different ways.

Two new developments play a major role in our plans for making more responsible use of natural resources. Firstly, Herlitz now has its first product with the Blue Angel seal of environmental approval: our space R-PET filing trays are made of 100% recycled plastic. And secondly, in January 2012, Susy Card GmbH’sintensive effortsin 2011 paid off when the company received the approval of the Scientific Certification System, granting it permission to make and sell products made from materials certified in line with the Forest Stewardship Council’s standards (FSC™ licence code FSC™-C014510, certification of Herlitz PBS AG, Berlin). Consumers can now enjoy top-quality products that have an excellent environmental record, which is all the more important because these items are used every day by children and teenagers. Responsibility has always been of paramount importance here at Herlitz, so in 2011, we launched a new product safety concept that helps us do even more to satisfy our customers’ needs.

Just as in previous years, participation in social projects also played an important role in our activities. In 2011, we kept up our involvement in BildungsCent e.V., and other key activities included support for the Blue Angel’s school starter campaign as well as involvement in the international YOUTHinkgreen environmental awareness organisation.