RSVP Publications is First in Industry to Receive Third Party License from Forestry Stewardship Council for "Being Green"

RSVP Publications (http://www.rsvppublications.com), a premiere direct mail marketing company specializing in reaching affluent homeowners, has become the first in the direct marketing industry to receive a third party license from the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) in recognition of the company's commitment to environmental responsibility.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) November 11, 2008 -- RSVP Publications (http://www.rsvppublications.com), a premiere direct mail marketing company specializing in reaching affluent homeowners, has become the first in the direct marketing industry to receive a third party license from the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) in recognition of the company's commitment to environmental responsibility.

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

"We are extremely proud to receive approval from the FSC to use their certification on our mailing pieces," says Larry Golden, co-CEO of RSVP. "Although we have demonstrated our commitment to green principles for nearly a decade, use of the FSC certification logo allows us to show consumers that we support the highest social and environmental standards in the printing industry."

Golden adds that RSVP requires, by contract, that its supply partners are environmentally responsible through their own manufacturing practices and use of materials. He notes that Tembec, the company's paper manufacturer, received its FSC certification in 2007 and was the first major forest products company to commit to certifying all of the lands under its management to the FSC standard. In addition, RSVP's printer, Outlook Group Corp., obtained its FSC certification in July 2008. Outlook uses the most environmentally friendly inks and coatings available - the inks used in producing RSVP postcards are soy-based and the coatings are water-based. Outlook has also established its own recycling program and improved processes to reduce waste and emissions.

In addition to the collaboration with FSC-certified partners, Golden says that RSVP has consistently followed policies designed to support environmental sustainability. There are no wasted mailings. RSVP immediately honors all "do not mail" requests from consumers who say they do not want to receive the card decks and removes them from the lists. The company mails only to highly targeted mailing lists, ensuring that its postcard decks are sent only to households that are most likely to be interested in the services its advertisers provide. The company also prevents waste by matching mailing lists against the Direct Marketing Association's "opt-out" lists.

"RSVP's concern for environmental sustainability is driven by the belief held by my co-CEO Dave Tropf and me that we must conserve our resources and preserve our environment for future generations," says Golden. "This long standing core commitment is not profit-based. Rather, our focus is on social responsibility, focusing on continuous improvement in the environmental efficiency of our own operations as well as those of our business partners."

About RSVP Publications

Based in Tampa, Fla. RSVP Publications (http:www.rsvppublications.com) is a franchise management company developed to present preferred vendors to the nation's most affluent owner-occupied homes, using decks of high quality four-color postcards. Operating with a franchise network of 84 separate franchise outlets in 125 markets across the United States and Canada, RSVP mails to more than 11 million unique households, each an owner-occupied home.

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