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        Environmentally friendly paper
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        Paper usage forms a significant part of our environmental footprint as we use large quantities of paper for internal and external communication purposes. In order to minimise our environmental impact, we developed paper consumption reduction measures, sustainable paper procurement guidelines and recycling initiatives.

        In 2008, ING drafted the outlines of the global ING Sustainable Paper Policy. In 2009, we plan to bundle our best practices and the latest insights on paper and finalise the global ING Sustainable Paper Policy. The policy will consist of the following areas:

        1. The most obvious way to reduce ING’s environmental impact from paper usage – and to cut costs at the same time – is to use less paper.

        Through our internal environmental awareness programme ‘ING Goes Green’, various local business units have set up programmes that call on employees to reduce their paper consumption by printing less and by printing double-sided.

        We also give customers the option to decrease paper usage linked to their banking activities. For example, ING Direct Australia calls on customers to switch to receiving the more environmentally friendly electronic statement instead of a traditional paper statement. In return, for every customer signing up, ING Direct Australia donates 2 Australian dollar towards the World Wildlife Foundation project to protect Australia’s only native dolphin; the Snubfin dolphin. In 2008, more than 70,000 customers of ING Direct Australia signed up to receive an electronic version of their monthly bank statements. Today, the majority of ING Direct’s customer base in Australia receives online statements.

        2. ING supports sustainable paper procurement. In our definition, sustainable paper is paper which (partially) derives from recycled post-consumer waste sources, wood from certified forests, and/or paper that has been produced according to best practice production standards. By choosing the right paper we can save wood, water, and energy, and cut pollution and solid waste. Within ING, over 55% of our business units purchase paper that carries an FSC, a PEFC, or other sustainable sourcing certificate.

        In the US, we set up a sustainable copy paper purchasing programme. Under the programme, all paper purchased for copying needs to contain a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content paper. Since the programme was rolled out, many departments choose to buy 100% recycled paper.

        3. ING aims to maximise the recycling of paper products throughout the organisation.
        By recycling paper, ING contributes to the conservation of forests. Recycling paper reduces the need for virgin wood supply, and therefore helps to prevent deforestation.

        All primary offices in the US have recycling centres in place. Cardboard, plastic, batteries and paper is recycled.

         

        The corporate identity guidelines remain effective when using paper from a sustainable label. ING prefers materials that are not too glossy and have a very blond colour.

         

        If you have any questions or suggestions

        regarding sustainable paper, please

        contact the Corporate Responsibility

        and Sustainable Development (corporate.responsibility@ing.com).