In 1991, NERC began exploring options with the Direct Marketing Association on reducing the waste associated with direct mail by increasing their use of recycled materials, as well as source reduction and design for recyclability. As an outgrowth of these efforts, in 1994, DMA announced the DMA Corporate Environmental Stewardship Challenge. The Challenge has been taken by over 100 DMA members. Each participating company is provided a checklist that addresses waste reduction, recycling collection and buying or manufacturing recycled products. DMA has also worked with NERC on an annual recycled paper survey to gauge DMA members use of recycled paper and adoption of environmentally sound business practices.

Yellow Page Publishers Association - Contract

NERC worked cooperatively with the Yellow Pages Publishers Association (YPPA) beginning in 1990 to reduce the environmental impacts of telephone directories. NERC assisted YPPA in developing the organization's Environmental Action Plan, which was subsequently endorsed by NERC. The plan called for an annual report by YPPA on the status of recycled content purchasing efforts, design for recyclability, source reduction and other related environmental issues. Beginning in 1996, NERC worked most closely with directory publishers in the Northeast - Bell Atlantic, NYNEX and Southern New England Telephone, including the sponsorship of forums focused on the status of recycling and waste prevention efforts.