Mondi is helping farmers grow their crops, having partnered with Cotesi to replace conventional plastic mulch film with a paper solution, Advantage Kraft Mulch. Mulching films protect crops from birds, weeds, soil erosion, sun and heavy rain. These films are traditionally made from plastic, rolled out during planting and then removed and disposed of at harvest. Mondi’s Advantage Kraft Mulch provides a sustainable paper alternative: the solution is made from 100% kraft paper, created from responsibly sourced wood, with no plastic or coating. Advantage Kraft Mulch is an industrially compostable paper solution certified according to DIN EN 13432 and provides a comparable level of protection as plastic mulch film. Field trials currently underway are promising: the kraft paper remains strong, inhibiting weed growth, and is expected to decompose after the harvesting season is finished.

The Group’s €5 million investment in the plant enables it to purify water to the highest standards before it can be returned to the environment. Purified water can also be partially reused in the process, further reducing water consumption by up to 90%. This innovative treatment also reduces electricity usage and CO2 emissions by up to 80%. This latest investment underscores Smurfit Kappa’s ongoing commitment to water stewardship and follows recent similar initiatives across its plants in Europe and the Americas. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, said: “Today is an important day for environmental protection in Belgrade and throughout Serbia. This is a day that represents a turning point for the sustainable development of our country. By 2025, all companies have a deadline for introducing wastewater treatment plants. Smurfit Kappa did this two years ahead of schedule by building the first industrial biological plant. This is an example of how all business people in Serbia should join the policy of sustainable development".

Pregis is committed to developing sustainable products, incorporating recycled and renewable resources, and designing for recyclability. In 2022, more than half of the company's revenue came from products defined as recyclable, reusable, or compostable (per the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board or SASB metrics). Pregis significantly advanced its mission to reduce emissions across its facilities last year, reporting a 20.9% reduction in emissions intensity from operations—nearing the 2030 target of a 25% reduction compared to the 2019 baseline. The company also reinforced its zero-waste ambition, successfully diverting 89% of solid waste from landfills and incineration due to robust internal and external recycling programs.

You may be familiar with forest management certification, the voluntary process in which an indeendent, accredited third-party auditor conducts an onsite assessment of forestland to determine the quality of forest management against established standards such as those developed by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®), Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™). Perhaps less familiar, but far more prevalent, is fiber sourcing certification. Around 90% of all forestland globally is not certified. For North American paper manufacturers who do not own their own forestland, this means they need a way to document that the wood they buy from non-certified forests is sourced responsibly. Certifying their wood and fiber procurement operations to a sustainable sourcing standard provides strong, proven mechanisms that enable responsible sourcing. The American Forest and Paper Association reports that of the total wood fiber from forests used for products, its members procure more than 99% through a certified fiber sourcing program.

Since its launch in April 2021, over 30 North American brands have used Carbon Balanced Paper to balance over 37 million pounds of CO2 and help protect 2,290 acres of critical forest habitat. The program funds four key projects, each one protecting a vast range of threatened animal and plant species. Find out more about each project and the vital work of World Land Trust and its local partners. Click Read More below to learn about the projects in Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Vietnam.

Since the campaign began in 2010, globally, Two Sides has successfully challenged over 1075 organisations that subject their customers to repeated greenwashing messages which are damaging to the paper, print and mailing industry. With huge pressures on the economy; banks, telecom providers, utility companies and even governmental organisations are increasingly focused on switching their customers from paper to digital services to cut costs. All too often their customer communications attempt to mask these cost-saving efforts, justifying the switch with unfounded environmental marketing appeals such as “Go Green – Go Paperless” and “Choose e-billing and help save a tree.” Recent consumer survey results from Two Sides 2023 ‘Trend Tracker’ report, reveals that 55% of European consumers believe environmental arguments from companies to switch to digital communications are misleading and are about reducing costs.

One of the most valuable aspects of being a Two Sides member is our range of resources. Using the latest facts, information and research from around the world, these resources help our industry tell consumers the true environmental impact of paper and paper packaging to dispel the many misconceptions about the industry. Whether it’s our Myths & Facts booklet, large collection of fact sheets and articles, or shareable videos and factographics, our members have a vast range of information at their fingertips, ready to communicate to colleagues, partners and customers. And remember, Two Sides members can have any of these resources personalised for their business using our new online personalisation tool. This will demonstrate your commitment to paper and clear understanding of its sustainability.

Ikea U.S. is doubling down on its commitment to become a climate positive business. The retailer is launching two initiatives that align with its goal to increase on-site renewable energy, increase energy effiency and eliminate the use of fossil fuels from its operations. The initiatives include a solar installation project that is adding solar car parks, additional rooftop solar panels and battery energy storage systems to six Ikea stores and one fulfillment center. The other is a large-scale renewable heating and cooling (RHC) project to replace and optimize existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The project will start with five stores in 2023.

A wide range of UPM Specialty Papers’ label papers have been certified as industrially and home compostable, helping brand owners and label converters meet their target of prioritizing materials with a sustainable end of life. The following papers are now proven to be industrially and home compostable according to the EN 13432:2000 and NFT51-800:2015 standards providing high-quality and safe options for sustainable labelling needs: • Face papers: UPM LabelCoat™, UPM LabelCoat Prime™ • Release base papers: UPM Brilliant™, UPM Brilliant™ Pro

The shift to online shopping has accelerated dramatically in recent years. At the touch of a screen, consumers can search for a product, order and have it delivered to their door, sometimes on the same day. As consumers have come to appreciate the safety, speed and convenience of buying products online, they also are increasingly more concerned about how those products are packaged and delivered. European consumers are demanding that retailers do more to ensure their packaging is widely recyclable, and 49% believe that paper-based packaging is easier to recycle than other materials. Recycling data reflects this belief: 82% of paper packaging is recycled, the highest recycling rate of any packaging material. Glass has a recycling rate of 76%, metal 76% and plastic just 38% (Eurostat, 2020).

With a ten-year power purchase agreement, Trioworld Nyborg contributes to the construction of a new Better Energy solar park on the Danish island, Lolland. The agreement is an important element in Trioworld's focus on sustainability, and at the same time, it helps to increase the amount of renewable energy on the Danish electricity grid. The PPA will cover one-third of Trioworld Nyborg's annual electricity consumption, amounting to 7.5 GWh per year. Trioworld Nyborg manufactures plastic packaging for industrial companies in sectors such as petrochemicals, construction, horticulture, forestry, and more. In addition to producing packaging films, Trioworld Nyborg also has facilities for plastic recycling, providing the company with a stable source of valuable raw materials that are crucial to its overall strategy: leading the way in circular plastic solutions. By signing a PPA with Better Energy, a large portion of Trioworld Nyborg’s annual energy consumption will be covered by renewable energy. Its ambition to reduce emissions from its manufacturing operations in Denmark helps Trioworld move closer to fulfilling its commitment to become net zero in 2050.

Kimberly-Clark, the parent company of leading household brands including Andrex®, Kleenex®, Huggies®, WypAll® and Scott®, is celebrating a major milestone in its ambitious drive towards green energy with the official opening of a new onshore wind farm by Màiri McAllan, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Clydesdale constituency and Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, that will supply around 80% of its UK electrical power needs.

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.