The new Advice Note ADVICE-40-005-26 extends the validity of existing FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessments until replaced by the next versions of corresponding FSC Risk Assessments. Published and effective from 6 September 2023, the FSC Advice Note ADVICE-40-005-26 announces an extension of the validity of existing FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessments. This Advice Note applies to organizations sourcing FSC Controlled Wood using FSC-STD-40-005 V3-1 Requirements for Sourcing FSC Controlled Wood. Formulated in accordance with FSC normative requirements, it received approval from the FSC Managing Director on August 30, 2023, following a recommendation by the Policy Steering Group (PSG) on July 11, 2023.

Over the last three decades, the U.S. paper industry’s deep-rooted commitment and voluntary investment of billions of dollars in recycling infrastructure have transformed the circularity of paper products from vision to reality – something no other industry has been able to achieve. At a time when there’s growing alarm about the low recycled rates of other materials, paper recycling is a clear exception. LISTEN at: https://twosidesna.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2023/09/TMTS-3.mp3

Two Sides is excited to announce that the Confederation Of Paper Industries (CPI) will join as formal members, to better collaborate and collectively tell the sustainable story of paper products. CPI is the leading trade association representing the UK’s paper-based Industries, comprising paper and board manufacturers and converters, corrugated packaging producers, makers of soft tissue papers, and collectors of paper for recycling. CPI unifies the UK’s Paper-based Industries behind the promotion of paper’s intrinsic value as a uniquely renewable and recyclable resource. They aim to enhance the industry’s competitiveness by advocating an appropriate legislative and regulatory regime in the UK, EU and globally, and also by sharing best practice within the CPI membership.

Forests are home to more than trees, and Domtar helps support biodiversity efforts to keep plants and wildlife plentiful in the areas where we operate. Our company has partnered with nurseries, fish and wildlife organizations and landowners to create rich habitats for a variety of plants and animals. A recent initiative brought together Domtar, the Four States Timberland Owners Association, Hunter-Wasson Inc., and Love Creek Nursery in Okolona, Arkansas, to help beautify wooded acres with an array of wildflowers. The seed mix will provide landowners with seven to 12 wildflower species, both annuals and perennials. “Each box will provide enough native wildflower seeds to plant up to a 1,500-square-foot patch, which will benefit butterflies and pollinator species,” says Cathrine Jackson, wood and fiber procurement administrator at our Ashdown Mill. “We aim to provide habitat for species in need and colorful beauty on landowners’ properties. We can’t wait to see the blooms in the near future.” She says the wildflower project may become an annual effort if it proves successful.

Two Sides are excited to announce its newest partner member, the B2B direct mail, leaflet distributor and printer, Greener Mail. Greener Mail prides itself in showing its customers how to make their marketing greener and that using mail can be a sustainable choice. Having the environmental standard ISO14011, users of Carbon Balanced Paper, offsetting emissions with World Land Trust, committing to the SME Climate Pledge and now joining Two Sides, Greener Mail is continuously looking for ways to be more sustainable. “Sustainability and being ‘greener’ is at the forefront of our company ethos and we are constantly thinking of ways that we can improve our own business. Greener Mail is continuously investing in our buildings and machinery to reduce carbon emissions and the energy we use, where a simple upgrade can make a profound difference. Beyond offering sustainable services to our customers (direct mail, door to door, print and pick & pack), we also help educate them through the process and explain how becoming greener is so much easier than they think."

The deadline to give your feedback on the second draft of ST 1004, requirements for certification bodies operating sustainable forest management certification, is just a few days away. This is the second public consultation for this vital benchmark standard, with the first consultation concluding earlier this year. The working group developing the document discussed the feedback received during the first consultation and revised the draft standard accordingly. Now we need to hear from you again. Give your comments, feedback, and suggestions, to help us ensure this standard meets your needs and expectations. The deadline for comments is 5 September 2023.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member, the Sheet Plant Association (SPA), the UK trade association that promotes the interests of the corrugated sheet plant sector. The SPA co-ordinates and pursues matters affecting the co rrugated packaging industry, the Sheet Plant sector and the wider paper industry. It co-operates with associations having similar aims and objectives, not only in the UK, but also in Europe and the USA. “The SPA is delighted to become a member and support Two Sides. We provide a forum for members involved in the corrugated cardboard sheet plant industry to meet and discuss matters of common interest in the sector. One important topic on our minds is sustainability. We want our customers, brands and retailers to be aware of the sustainable attributes of our products and that our industry is committed to be part of the circular economy. Our partnership with Two Sides will allow us to use a variety of facts and stats to help us do just that.” says Tim Gray, Chairman of the UK Sheet Plant Association.

On August 16, OPI published on its opinion page a piece titled “The Sustainable Argument for Going Paperless” in which an executive from DocuWare, a document management and workflow software company, asserted with no factual evidence that electronic communication and document management are more environmentally sustainable than using paper. Among other claims, he wrote: “Reducing paper usage offers significant environmental benefits, such as leaving a lighter environmental footprint by conserving forests. Forest loss harms wildlife and increases soil erosion. Meanwhile, paper production, which also relies on chemicals and water – emits greenhouse gas emissions.” Is going digital really more environmentally sustainable than using paper? Your readers were recently warned (“The sustainable argument for going paperless,” August 16, Benedikt Dischinger) that there is a “Code Red for Humanity” caused by human-caused climate change, and that one response to this legitimate threat to the future of humankind is…use less paper. What Mr. Dischinger wants us to believe is that we should toss overboard the only form of communication rooted in a truly circular paper industry that relies on biobased energy, an infinitely renewable resource and some of the highest recycling rates in favor of more electronic communication, which is rooted in an industry that scours the planet for finite rare earths and other diminishing resources, relies almost exclusively on fossil fuels to meet its increasingly greedy demands for energy, and features embarrassing recycling rates.

Amazon plans to eliminate plastic in its mailer bags as part of an effort to cut down on waste, decarbonize and improve overall sustainability, according to the company’s 2022 sustainability report released this week. It’s also boosting attention to packaging lightweighting and elimination. The company is “phasing out padded bags containing plastics in favor of recyclable alternatives,” the report says. Some of the bags are solely made of plastic while others are a blend of plastic and paper; the mixed materials can present recycling challenges. In the U.S. and Canada last year, the company replaced 99% of padded bags made from a mix of plastic and paper with paper-padded bags that the company says are recyclable.

High recycling rates are a priority for Domtar—and for our industry partners. We’ve worked together to boost the rate that paper and packaging are recycled throughout the U.S. And it’s working. The pulp and paper industry continues to achieve a high recycling rate for its products, according to newly released data from the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA). In 2022, 93.6% of all cardboard boxes and corrugated containers were recycled, an increase from the previous year’s 91.4%. And the paper recycling rate in 2022 was 67.9%, holding nearly steady compared to 68.1% in 2021. We’re doing our part by using recycled cardboard containers at our newly re-started Kingsport Mill, Domtar’s first 100%-recycled manufacturing facility. It produces containerboard to make cardboard boxes.

Port Hawkesbury Paper is committed to sustaining a healthy environment in our forests and facilities. The natural resources entrusted to our company are managed for long-term sustainability and biodiversity while conserving the social and cultural values of the community. In accordance with our new environmental policy, we will meet—and strive to exceed— all applicable regulations, legal obligations, and other requirements to which Port Hawkesbury Paper (PHP) subscribes. This includes setting or complying with the appropriate environmental objectives and targets, creating applicable action plans, reviewing progress, conducting periodic reviews and annual updates, and making adjustments as required.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced that nearly 68% of paper consumed in the United States (67.9%) was recycled in 2022. The paper recycling rate held approximately steady to the 2021 rate and has remained consistently high. In fact, the paper recycling rate has met or exceeded 63% each year since 2009. In 2022, the recycling rate for old corrugated containers (OCC), also known as cardboard, was 93.6%, an increase over last year's rate. Meanwhile, the 3-year average (2020-2022) for OCC was 91.3%.

Sustainable forest certification on paper and packaging is a reassuring sign for earth-conscious consumers. This certification means the manufacturing process won’t threaten the long-term health of forests. Wood is one of our greatest renewable resources, so it’s important that creating pulp and paper doesn’t contribute to widespread deforestation in North America. Fortunately, net forest area in the U.S. has increased over the past three decades, and remained stable in Canada. Sustainable forest certification is an important tool for ensuring responsible harvesting and manufacturing. That’s why we were early supporters of using third-party certification that ensures wood is responsibly sourced. Supply chain transparency offered by certification has existed for nearly 30 years — far longer than similar standards for other commodities.

“Our guiding principle was that we should find opportunities to act, rather than using the war as a reason to do nothing,” said Pavlo Kravets, Director of FSC Ukraine, “with the number one priority to keep people safe.” That included finding safer places to work, adapting to hybrid working at home and in the field, sourcing electricity at times and co-working spaces that could offer internet access. Oksana Pavlishchuk, forest management certification manager, says they quickly turned fear and worry into resilience and endurance. “The new reality of the war required different organization of work processes and everyday issues, combining offline and online work,” she explained. As soon as Russia invaded Ukraine, FSC agreed to adapt its framework to allow certification in Ukraine to continue in areas not affected by the war, allowing the country to continue to benefit from its standards.

Amazon plans to eliminate plastic in its mailer bags as part of an effort to cut down on waste, decarbonize and improve overall sustainability, according to the company’s 2022 sustainability report released this week. It’s also boosting attention to packaging lightweighting and elimination. The company is “phasing out padded bags containing plastics in favor of recyclable alternatives,” the report says. Some of the bags are solely made of plastic while others are a blend of plastic and paper; the mixed materials can present recycling challenges. In the U.S. and Canada last year, the company replaced 99% of padded bags made from a mix of plastic and paper with paper-padded bags that the company says are recyclable. Upon announcing the production of its 1 billionth EarthKraft recyclable paper padded mailer last month, Georgia-Pacific noted that Amazon provided feedback in 2020 that consumers are demanding sustainable alternatives to plastic mailers. Walmart is also among the companies switching from plastic to paper mailers for e-commerce.

The report, written in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative, details advancements on a number of important fronts. They include: *Setting a time-bound, numerical target to double the volume of post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene film recycled at its North Vernon, Ind., recycling facility by the end of 2024. *Reporting the company’s “waste footprint” for the first time. In 2022 Novolex implemented a waste-to-landfill measurement program to enable monitoring and reduction of various waste streams from operations. *Increasing the company’s use of Chain-of-Custody certified fiber. *Expanding the use of materials that reflect emerging technologies and customer needs. *Creating a DEI Council comprised of Novolex leaders who guide and support our DEI strategies and objectives.