PEFC and the Thailand Forestry Certification Council (TFCC), our national member for Thailand, have launched a group certification project to support smallholders producing rubber in Thailand. Presented in the Trang province in Thailand in March, the project supports the Klongprang Cooperative in implementing group certification for 1000 hectares of forest, managed by small-scale rubber growers. A wide range of stakeholders from the industry is participating in this effort, providing not only technical and financial support but also market information and demand for the certified products. The pilot project will build a group model and supporting mechanisms to enable more smallholders to achieve TFCC/PEFC certification in the upcoming years.

Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, has started a rapids fishery restoration project together with WWF Finland and the local Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. Construction work at Mämmenkoski, located in Äänekoski in Central Finland, began in early May and will take a month to complete. The aim of the restoration is to make it possible for fish to naturally migrate from Lake Kuhnamo to Lake Ala-Keitele. In addition, it is hoped that it will re-establish the possibility of natural fry production of lake trout in the rapids. The restoration project will open two existing dams to remove obstacles from the fish migration route. The riverbed will be restored into a natural migration route and spawning areas will be formed to enable natural fry production of the trout. The project has been developed in cooperation with the local fishery community.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced 66.2 percent of paper consumed in the United States was recovered for recycling in 2019. Over the last decade, the U.S. paper industry achieved a consistently high recycling rate, meeting or exceeding 63 percent since 2009 — a rate that’s nearly doubled since 1990, when the industry first set a paper recycling goal. The recycling rate for old corrugated containers (OCC) in 2019 was 92.0 percent, and the three-year average OCC recycling rate is 92.3 percent. “Paper recycling continues to be an environmental success story,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “More than twice as much paper is recycled than is sent to landfills, saving an average of 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space for each ton of paper recycled. This is a testament to consumer behavior and an industry commitment to paper recycling. AF&PA members continue to invest in manufacturing infrastructure that will allow us to recycle even more paper in the years ahead.”

PEFC provides a space for people to come together to jointly determine how our forests should be managed. “We all love forests in one way or the other, and we all wish to be involved with them and feel ownership of them. There is a kind of moral ownership of forests by everyone in society,” Ben explains. “That is why it's important to get everyone involved in a multi-stakeholder process in determining how a forest is managed.” “By having everyone involved, it allows all of us to understand better the different needs of different stakeholders and to try and find the correct balance to meet all of those needs, in a way that allows those forests to be managed sustainably and to be supported by all of us.”

Smurfit Kappa is making significant progress in reducing its relative CO2 emissions according to its 13th annual Sustainable Development Report (SDR) which was published today. The leading provider of paper-based packaging, Smurfit Kappa reported a 32.9% reduction in fossil CO2 emission intensity between 2005 and 2019. While this is an impressive achievement, the company’s current target is even more ambitious as it seeks to reduce relative CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030, in comparison to the 2005 baseline. In addition to seeking SBT validation*, Smurfit Kappa is also looking to build on more than a decade of providing full CO2 disclosures by supporting the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures, a global body which develops climate-related financial risk disclosures which are used to provide information for investors, lenders and insurers.

This month’s Member Spotlight features Rolland Enterprises Inc. A leading North American producer of uncoated papers, Rolland manufactures papers with up to 100% post-consumer content. With operations in Quebec and Wisconsin, the company’s operations include a paper mill and converting facility, as well as two state-of-the-art facilities that produce premium recycled pulp. Founded in 1882, Rolland’s enduring commitment to quality, innovation and sustainable manufacturing include sustainable sourcing, energy efficiency, water conservation, wastewater treatment technology, recycling of process byproducts and a continuing focus on further reducing its environmental footprint. Rolland uses the life cycle assessment (LCA) process to guide its sustainability improvement objectives and makes the results of its LCAs public, confirming the company’s environmental stewardship to its many stakeholders. For example, an LCA identified a gap in the company’s water consumption which enabled it to improve its water recycling systems. Today, Rolland’s paper mill has a closed-loop system that uses six times less water and recycles the water 30 times. One of the company’s most successful environmental innovations is the use of 93% renewable biogas energy to manufacture products at its paper mill — the only mill in North America to use primarily biogas for energy. An eight-mile-long pipeline feeds the mill with purified methane gas captured at a nearby landfill. This reduces Rolland’s annual CO2 footprint by 70,000 tons or the equivalent of taking 23,400 compact cars off the road for one year.

At PEFC we are convinced that one size does not fit all when it comes to forest certification. This is why we work through national forest certification systems, enabling our national members to tailor their sustainable forest management requirements to the specific forest ecosystems, the legal and administrative framework and the socio-cultural context in their countries. National systems are developed locally, but they need to undergo rigorous third-party assessment to ensure consistency with our international requirements. However, achieving PEFC endorsement of a national forest certification system is not the final step. National standards are reviewed regularly so we know they continue to meet our evolving benchmarks and national and international expectations.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced 10 SFI Community Grants featuring collaboration between 40 partner organizations. This commitment to local communities helps SFI achieve its mission of advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations that: *provide educators with tools to showcase green career pathways with students *incorporate Indigenous knowledge into forest management planning and education curriculum *build youth engagement in outdoor education and conservation projects *create better building solutions using sustainably sourced mass timber *provide tools to family landowners about bird conservation *showcase research on new and safer logging techniques. click read more below for details

Sustainability is intrinsic to the way we do business at Mondi and central to our strategy for driving success now and in the long-term. Every year we publish a Sustainable Development report, our 2019 report was released a few weeks ago. In it we lay out Mondi’s 10 Growing Responsibly Action Areas where we believe our business can contribute to a better world. Mondi's Ten Action Areas: Employee and contractor safety and health; A skilled and committed workforce; Fairness and diversity in the workplace; Sustainable fibre; Climate change; Constrained resources and environmental impacts; Biodiversity and ecosystems; Supplier conduct and responsible procurement; Relationships with communities; Solutions that create value for our customers. click read more below for details

Ahlstrom-Munksjö and Metsä Fibre continue the collaboration by focusing on responsible wood sourcing. As part of a resource-intensive industry Ahlstrom-Munksjö, as a significant wood pulp consumer, and Metsä Fibre, as the world’s leading producer of bleached softwood pulp, have a particular responsibility to advance environmental performance and sustainability throughout their operations and supply chains. “We are committed to contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by reducing negative impact across the value chain. The collaboration with both the suppliers and customers is very important in developing and implementing our sustainability strategy, and thereby achieving these goals,” says Heli Nykänen, Manager, Group Sustainability and Capital Investments. The project that started in 2019 has mainly focused on responsible wood sourcing in the value chain from the forest to the end-products.

“When we began the last revision of our Sustainable Forest Management Standard, we noticed how much the Chilean society and the forestry sector had developed during these years,” he explains. “This meant that the expectations regarding the use of natural resources had achieved much higher levels that needed to be properly addressed. Many different stakeholders with different points of view participated in the discussion of the requirements.” “Although the Certfor standard addressed the main issues of the day, sustainable development is a continuous process. New social, environmental demands arise over time. This implies that the standards must evolve, too, to address those new issues.”

To mark Earth Day's 50th anniversary, Earth Day Canada and Earth Day Initiative, in collaboration with Corporate Knights, have released the 50 Top Business Moves for the Planet. Cascades is pleased to be included on this list for its pioneering role in recycling. The Company's strong dedication to promoting recycled fibres in the manufacturing of its products played a key role in this decision. "In the 1950s, we could not have foreseen that the simple idea of diverting material from landfills to recovery would go so far. By giving new life to this material, we reduce the pressure on natural resources and minimize waste. Even though the idea wasn't popular at the time, I am very proud that we were true to our values and ideals, and continue to honour them today" said Alain Lemaire, co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cascades.

Amazon today announced a $10 million grant to conserve, restore, and support sustainable forestry, wildlife and nature-based solutions across the Appalachian Mountains, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy. Nature-based solutions refer to the sustainable management and use of nature for tackling challenges such as removing carbon from the atmosphere to slow climate change and helping maintain water and food security, biodiversity protection, human health, and disaster risk management. This funding will initially support projects in Pennsylvania and Vermont that will help family forest owners sequester carbon and support expansion across the Appalachians in a network of climate-resilient forests that scientists at The Nature Conservancy have identified as most able to thrive in the face of climate change. This is the first project from Amazon’s $100 millionRight Now Climate Fund, an initiative to remove carbon from the atmosphere through the restoration and conservation of forests, wetlands, grasslands and peatlands around the world. Last year, Amazon co-founded with Global Optimism and became the first signatory of The Climate Pledge – committing to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement 10 years early and be net zero carbon by 2040 through decarbonization of its operations and use of nature-based solutions.

Sappi joins the world in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and in honouring the theme of climate action. This theme is particularly apt in view of reports from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) indicating that last decade was the hottest on record. Globally we see and feel the negative impacts of this in the form of sea level rise, species decline and more frequent extreme weather events including longer, more intense heat waves. Given that Sappi’s business is based on a natural resource – woodfibre – we are acutely aware of how dependent we are on the Planet and how important it is to help maintain ecological balance and join in taking concerted actions to mitigate the effects of climate change. We celebrate the fact that the forests and plantations from which we source woodfibre help mitigate global warming by acting as carbon sinks and that responsible harvesting of this renewable resource is balanced with regeneration and regrowth, thereby perpetuating the carbon cycle.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and just like everything else in life, it will look much different due to the social restrictions imposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But we can still do our part to make Earth Week 2020 memorable. Like many other events, Earth Week 2020 has been rescheduled for the fall. But even though we are practicing social distancing and doing our part to avoid spreading disease, we still are finding ways to care for our planet, our people and our communities this month. You can, too. Here are some great ideas for conservation activities you can do while remaining safe during Earth Week 2020. click read more below for the rest of the story

PEFC International develops sustainability benchmarks that are applicable globally. Yet the real work is done by local stakeholders, who adapt them to local conditions and add their own requirements. In our latest video, our CEO Ben Gunneberg speaks about the development of the PEFC standards and why it is so important to adapt national forest management standards to local conditions. “In every country, there's a different type of forestry. So in every country there are different factors which impact how you do your sustainable forestry, so that needed to be taken into consideration. You couldn't have one size fits all,” he explains.

The targets covering greenhouse gas emissions from Pearson’s operations (scopes 1 and 2) and its emissions from its value chain (scope 3) are consistent with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement. The target approved is an absolute reduction in: *scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions - 50% by 2030 from a 2018 base year. *scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, upstream and downstream transportation, use and end-of-life of sold products - 50% by 2030 from a 2018 base year.

Finland’s famous forests are composed of trees that have been carefully chosen and cultivated since the 1960s. Part of this process is the practice of tree breeding: selectively breeding species of trees for forests that are as healthy, resilient and productive as possible. To many, Finland’s forests seem ancient and unchanging. But they are actually composed of both naturally occurring forests and those in which the trees that have been carefully chosen and cultivated. Part of this management is the little-known practice of tree breeding: selectively breeding different species of trees to genetically improve forest stock. This helps create forests that are as healthy, resilient and productive as possible. click read more to find out how...

Sappi is proud to announce that its Symbio bio-composite cellulose fibre which is derived from responsibly managed, renewable forests has been chosen as feedstock for the development of lightweight bio-composite materials, for the Life Biobcompo project. The project aims to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions by 8% through the replacement of conventional mineral fillers with bio-based fibres, promote the use of more sustainable resources and demonstrate these technologies at industrial scale. The project partners are the SAPA Group, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Italy, Centro Ricerche Fiat and the Sòphia High Tech Group. The bio-composite materials are required to have good thermo-mechanical properties, a high aesthetic value and good dimensional stability. The experience acquired by SAPA on the development of low-density bio-composites for automotive applications, in a previous R&D project, and the cooperation with Sappi have been fundamental for the achievement of the above requirements.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) is collaborating on research with the University of Georgia to assess the positive impact of the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard on water quality and biodiversity in the Southern Coastal Plain of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The study region, which is home to many imperiled species including the gopher tortoise and red cockaded woodpecker, could be favorably affected by the application of sustainable forestry practices, including those promoted by the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard and the SFI Forest Management Standard. Puneet Dwivedi, Associate Professor in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia (UGA), is collaborating with SFI to analyze the effect of the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard on water quality and biodiversity. The innovative study approach will study how best management practices (BMPs) for water quality can advance conservation goals in multiple ways. BMPs are a required element of both SFI’s Fiber Sourcing Standard and also the SFI Forest Management Standard.

Neenah, Inc. published an updated Corporate Sustainability Report (CSR) on its web site (www.neenah.com) under the "About Us" section. The report highlights the Company's commitment and progress on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and is structured in alignment with Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) industry guidelines to address those factors most relevant to the Company's stakeholders. The report includes strategies, information and metrics related to the Company's environmental impact, employee development, and community engagement.

Berry’s GRI Index was prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards Core option. GRI is the most widely used framework for sustainability reporting used by businesses, governments, and other organizations. Notable statistics in support of Impact 2025 from the Company’s GRI Index include: Recycled Content: Berry set a new record for annual usage of post-consumer plastic in FY19 of 70,000 metric tons (154 million pounds). Much of the increase was driven by our acquisition of RPC, which is included on a pro forma basis. Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG): Berry continued its long-term reduction in Scope 1+2 GHG emissions intensity, having reduced its intensity 3% year-over-year and 46% since the Company began measuring its carbon footprint in 2008. The Company is ahead of schedule for achieving its science-based target of a 25% reduction in Scope 1+2 GHG emissions intensity by 2025, having already achieved a 14% reduction vs. its 2016 baseline. Landfill Waste: Berry realized a 13% reduction in its landfill waste intensity from 2018 to 2019. This exceeds the Company’s goal of a 5% reduction year-over-year. Energy: For the year, Berry reduced its energy intensity by 3% year-over-year. This exceeds the Company’s goal of a 1% reduction year-over-year. Water: In the year 2019, the Company decreased absolute water intensity 12% from 2018 to 2019, far exceeding the 1% year-over-year reduction target.

SCA’s seedling operation has now delivered 100,000 spruce seedlings for planting on SCA land in Latvia. The seedlings are frozen and delivered packaged in corrugated board boxes. “This is the first year that we have delivered boxed frozen seedlings,” says Peter Engblom of NorrPlant. SCA owns approximately 20,000 hectares of land in Latvia and there are plenty of available sites where SCA plans to plant new forest. “We have delivered 100,000 spruce seedlings of our SuperPot seedling type, which is a two-year-old seedling and therefore somewhat larger than other seedlings,” says Peter Engblom, Business Developer at NorrPlant, and continues: "SuperPot is perfect for the fertile lands in Latvia because the plant type suits land subject to significant vegetation stress.

The plastic-free eco-barrier paperboard, MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB, has recently achieved DIN CERTCO certificates in both industrial and home compostability. The industrial certification complies with DIN EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 standards and the home compostability certification complies with NF T 51-800. Eco-barrier paperboard is manufactured by Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium lightweight paperboards, and part of the Metsä Group. Helena Moring-Vepsäläinen, Product Safety Manager at Metsä Board, comments: “There is a growing demand among brand owners for new, more ecological solutions for food and food service packaging that are made of renewable, non-plastic materials, and which can be recycled or composted after use. MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB has now been certified with these international compostability standards and this will help our customers to choose a packaging material that they know will reliably comply with their different disposal requirements.”

From the requirements that companies must meet to achieve PEFC chain of custody certification, to the specific steps stakeholders must take as they develop their national forest certification system, our standards are vital to the functioning of our organization. But who is responsible for developing them? The answer to this might not be what you think. It is not PEFC that develops the standards, but multi-stakeholder working groups. These working groups build consensus, relying on the involvement of active and committed individuals from different interest groups. PEFC’s role is essentially limited to coordinating these working groups.

At PEFC we are convinced that one size does not fit all when it comes to forest certification. Forests are highly diverse; as is their management, local traditions, cultural and spiritual expectations, average property sizes and support structures. This is why we work through national forest certification systems, enabling countries to tailor their sustainable forest management requirements to their specific forest ecosystems, the legal framework and the socio-cultural context. While these national systems are developed locally, they need to undergo rigorous third-party assessment to ensure consistency with international requirements. International benchmark standards are used by our national members to develop their national standards. The benchmark standards set out the requirements that national standards must meet in order to achieve PEFC endorsement. Our Sustainable Forest Management standard is a benchmark standard. International standards are applied directly in the field. These include our standards for Chain of Custody and Trademarks, which are used by thousands of companies, certification bodies and accreditation bodies around the world.

Just a quick reminder that Two Sides provides a host of easily downloadable resources and tools to help you tell the great environmental story of print, paper and paper-based packaging, bust the myths, address misleading claims and share consumer perceptions about our products. Many of these resources are linked below. To access additional Members Only resources, you can log in to the Members Only section of the website. Also, don't forget that many Two Sides materials can be co-branded with member company logos. If you’ve forgotten your member login information or would like more information on co-branding, please email us at info@twosidesna.org. • Fact Sheets that provide research and data to help explain the most misunderstood aspects of the industry, from paper recovery and recycling to paperless "green" claims to the environmental impact of e-communications. • Easily-shareable infographics that highlight topics like sustainable forestry, the value of reading print on paper and anti-greenwashing campaigns. • An in-depth booklet that is full of Myths and Facts designed to educate the public about the print and paper industry. • The Busting the Myths survey report, which gives members insight into consumer perceptions and attitudes about the paper and print industry. • Blogs full of informative content, supporting an active social media presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to promote the value of print to a broad audience.

New York won’t enforce it’s recently enacted plastic bag ban for another two months, the state announced this week. Amid an ongoing lawsuit, the state Department of Conservation posted a notice on its website pushing back the enforcement date from April 1 to May 15. While the ban went into effect at the beginning of March, the enforcement was delayed due to a suit brought on by New York businesses who argue they had little time to prepare. The suit is essentially on hold as the courts prioritize cases amid the coronavirus crisis and critics claim the ban is a health risk.

To support certified entities and certification bodies during the COVID-19 challenge, we have extended the transition period for our three revised international standards by six months. This extension applies to the 2020 versions of the Chain of Custody (ST 2002), PEFC Trademarks (ST 2001) and Certification Body Requirements - Chain of Custody (ST 2003) standards. The transition date is now 14 February 2022. This extension gives certified entities and certification and accreditation bodies an additional six months to align their procedures with the requirements in the 2020 versions of these three vital standards. The aim of the extension is to give our stakeholders more flexibility in when they move to the 2020 standards, as we understand the current situation is very difficult for many companies around the world.

“American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) members take safety very seriously, and our industry diligently continues to manufacture products to help customers address current challenges related to COVID-19. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have provided guidance indicating there is no evidence COVID-19 is spreading through the mail, and WHO has further stated that the risk of catching the virus from a package that has been moved, traveled and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is low. “Paper products play an important role in facilitating product safety, enhancing hygiene and responding to COVID-19 challenges. Our industry remains committed to meeting the needs of its customers and the public, particularly in this dynamic environment.”

Russia, Indonesia, California and Australia– the list of forest fires of unprecedented size and force is growing. Why is this occurring and how should the world respond to combat this threat? Australia has been burning like never before. The forest fire season typically peaks in January and February, but the fires that started in November last year have already killed over thirty people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in the states of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. While record-breaking temperatures and a long-running drought had authorities monitoring the situation closely, nothing of this magnitude was expected. The most urgent phase of this round of fires is over, for now, but the blazes will take months to extinguish entirely. The full damage to Australian infrastructure and forest ecosystems is still to be revealed. As a new decade starts, we are entering uncharted territory. In the last five years, fires have destroyed thousands of hectares of forests in the United States, Canada, Russia, Sweden and China. click read more below for the rest of this story

Water — it covers 70 percent of the Earth, makes up more than half of the human body and is essential to life for all living creatures. It’s also an essential ingredient during the pulp- and paper-making process, as you’ll see in this water quiz. Take a journey with us to find out more about our water sustainability and conservation efforts. Read the following articles, and then test your knowledge with our water quiz! to take the quiz go to: https://newsroom.domtar.com/%ef%bb%bfwater-quiz/

Toilet paper is often misunderstood. Much of that results from a big misconception: that toilet paper (and other paper products) harm and shrink the world’s forests. Georgia-Pacific’s VP of Sustainability, John Mulcahy, explains why you can feel good about TP and sustainability. Q: Why is toilet paper taking such a bad rap? Q: What do you tell people who think toilet paper is bad for the environment? Q: So, is deforestation really an issue? Click Read More below to find the answers and more.

UPM is one of the first companies to link the pricing mechanism of a syndicated revolving credit facility (RCF) to both biodiversity and climate targets. The margin of the RCF is tied to two key performance indicators (KPIs): • achievement of a net positive impact on biodiversity in the company’s own forests in Finland • a 65% reduction of CO2 emissions from fuels and purchased electricity by 2030 from 2015 levels, in line with UPM’s commitment to UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C. “Connecting UPM’s sustainability performance to our financing demonstrates the importance of responsible business practises to our long-term value creation. Sustainable forest management plays an important role in mitigating climate change, as it ensures material long-term CO2 sequestration and improves adaptation to global warming. Enhancing biodiversity is not only about preserving forests, but is also a crucial element in sustainable industrial use, taking into account a wide range of flora and fauna. UPM is committed to achieving a net positive impact on biodiversity and we have developed indicators and methods to monitor it,” says Tapio Korpeinen, CFO, UPM.

Amazon is investing globally to enable new renewable energy projects as the company works towards net zero carbon by 2040. Amazon’s first renewable energy project in Australia is a 60 megawatt (MW) solar project anticipated to come online in 2021 in northern New South Wales. Once complete, the project is expected to generate 142,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy annually, which is equivalent to the annual electricity of almost 23,000 average Australian households. Amazon’s newest renewable energy projects in Europe include 122 MW from an onshore wind project in Västernorrland, Sweden, expected to come online 2022, and a new 50 MW solar farm in Zaragoza, Spain, expected to begin operations in 2021. Once enabled, these projects have the capacity to power the equivalent of 158,000 average European homes each year.

At Koehler, sustainable management, thinking and acting is part of the corporate strategy. This also includes taking care of the immediate surroundings of the individual plants and assuming responsibility. This includes sponsoring streams, building nesting boxes or maintaining orchard meadows. Or even a tree planting campaign, as has now taken place in Greiz. "As one of the largest employers in Greiz, we have a responsibility to the town and the people", says Udo Hollbach, Managing Director of Koehler Greiz GmbH & Co. KG. The idea of the tree planting campaign, which has now been put into practice, was born in discussions with the town council. "With this, we are not only doing something for the environment, but also promoting company health management".

In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print, paper and paper-based packaging. “There is no better example of how we can be better stewards of our precious natural resources than the sustainability story of paper and print. IPMA is proud to join Two Sides North America, and spread the positive environmental impact this industry has made,” said Mike Loyd, Executive Director, IPMA.

Under the collaboration agreement signed between Football club HJK and Kotkamills, a manufacturer of fully recyclable food service board, HJK is aiming to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its matches in the upcoming season. HJK published in December 2019 its environmental responsibility programme and concrete measures to reduce its carbon footprint. The target is to decrease emissions by 20 percent during 2020 and to compensate the rest of its emissions through EU emissions trading. HJK is aiming for its first teams to be totally carbon neutral by 2025. “The collaboration with Kotkamills is part of HJK’s environmental responsibility programme and a significant advancement in reducing plastic emissions. Beer, soft drinks and coffee are served in 150,000 single-use cups every year at the Bolt Arena. With the help of Kotkamills, we can discontinue the use of plastic mugs and plastic-coated cups,” says HJK CEO Aki Riihilahti.

Connect with nature, explore the great outdoors and meet some wildlife friends while you’re at it. With over 1,600 award winning conservation sites, we take pride in providing a healthy environment and clean water for the plants and animals that live in the forests we manage. We continue to collaborate with world-class scientists and environmental groups to study deer, songbirds, salmon and moose so we can better understand their habitat. In the 1980’s, we introduced the Unique Areas program, a voluntary program that designates areas of importance to wildlife, history or aesthetics for conservation. In addition to caring for wildlife habitat on the lands that we own and manage; we have been part of research programs that impact our forests and wildlife for many years.

Responsible business conduct is not a trend but a permanent change that companies should willingly embrace. Responsible companies take care of the environment as well as their employees, production chains and profitability. Investors and potential employees are increasingly assessing companies based on their responsibility actions. In addition, consumer expectations for true corporate responsibility continue to rise. Actions and transparency are required. It is hard to think of an industry that would not be affected by stakeholders’ expectations for responsible business practices. Responsibility requirements also widely impact the SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) sector because of the expectations relating to the production and sub-contracting chain. Clear business advantages encourage companies to strengthen their corporate responsibility. Integrating responsibility into the company’s strategy creates cost savings and brings new business opportunities. It is also a chance to come up with ideas for innovations that solve sustainability challenges. Mapping operational risks creates trust in the future and strengthens the company’s brand. According to one estimate, there is EUR 11 trillion worth of business opportunities in promoting sustainability targets. The capabilities, technologies and solutions of Finnish companies are desperately needed around the world.

Our Lucca Paper Mill has successfully developed a new paper and plastic fibre reject separation plant, ensuring materials are kept in the supply cycle for as long as possible and that the maximum value is obtained. At DS Smith, we see waste as a resource. Everything we do focuses on providing innovative, effective, sustainable strategies that help to increase recycling and reduce waste. In fact, across Europe, our Recycling Division manages 6 million tonnes of material every year. Lucca Paper Mill, located in Tuscany, is a market leader in containerboard and the biggest mill of its kind in the country with an annual production volume of 410,000 tonnes per year. All of Lucca’s products use recovered fibre, so they are always looking for ways to optimise the use of raw materials.

The Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print, paper and packaging. “We welcome PPEC to our Two Sides network. Their expertise will be of great value given that we are now addressing sustainability topics related to paper-based packaging,” said Phil Riebel, Two Sides North America President.

In terms of sustainability, UPM has ranked as or among the best performers in its industry for many years based on the actions we take and the progress we make. Our most recent recognition is Triple A List status in CDP for our actions to mitigate climate risk, prevent deforestation and enhance water stewardship. A remarkable achievement given that only six Triple A List companies in the entire world have earned this status! The Finnish Friends of the Earth declared this CDP status, and UPM's public commitment to the UN Global Compact’s business ambition to limit global warning to 1.5C, as a “UPM greenwashing campaign”. This is a stunning claim that undermines not only the work done by our employees but also the highly respected non-profit organizations that are well known for their high integrity. Like many companies UPM is often asked to respond to different ratings and rankings because of the increasing interests and demands from customers, investors, rating agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) towards our environmental, social and governance performance. These ratings are not based on what companies say but what they actually do. click read more below

A bill passed on February 17 by the Washington State Senate would reduce pollution by prohibiting the sale and distribution of most expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) products. The bill passed on a vote of 29-19 and now heads to the House for consideration. Effective June 1, 2022, this bill would prohibit the sale, manufacture and distribution of Styrofoam-type foodservice products, coolers and packaging materials in or into the state of Washington. Foodservice products include food containers, plates, clamshells and hot and cold beverage cups. It exempts packaging for raw, uncooked or butchered meat, fish and poultry, as well as packaging for seafood, vegetables, fruit and egg cartons. It also exempts Styrofoam products used to transport or store biological materials such as medicals items. Wholesale or retail establishments that use Styrofoam coolers to transport perishable items are also exempt from this prohibition.

Five leading companies in Canada’s food, beverage and packaging sector are joining forces and created the Circular Plastics Taskforce (Groupe d’action plastiques circulaires, or GAPC) to develop a circular economy for plastics, in partnership with the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) and with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Éco Entreprises Québec will also support the project as a consultant and financial partner. With the goal of closer alignment between market needs and recycling stakeholders (material recovery facilities (MRF) and packaging companies), Cascades, Danone Canada, Dyne-a-pak, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada, TC Transcontinental, and CPIA have teamed up with Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle (CTTEI) at the Sorel-Tracy CÉGEP and Chamard Stratégies environnementales to identify and recommend solutions for optimizing the handling of plastics throughout the recycling value chain.

Fossil-free heating is to be installed at SCA’s Bogrundet nursery. The investment includes a large, environmentally-friendly heating system that will operate on pellets. SCA is also receiving a grant from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s Klimatklivet initiative to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases. The Bogrundet nursery in Timrå is the world’s largest tree nursery and SCA grows about 95 million seedlings here every year. The company has been looking for a climate-friendly and good technical solution for some time to heat the 14 greenhouses and avoid the use of oil.

Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE: SEE) has been awarded a position on the prestigious Supplier Engagement Leaderboard by the CDP for its actions and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate-related issues and risks in its supply chain. Sealed Air, a leading manufacturer of protective packaging, has a history of limiting resource use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The CDP provides third-party validation of these efforts and the scores serve as a benchmark for companies to compare environmental efforts against peers. For its 2019 disclosure, Sealed Air received an A- for its overall Climate Change score, marking the sixth year in a row the company has been recognized by CDP.

In British Columbia specifically, the wildfires of 2017 and 2018 rendered unusable a lot of high-value wood that would have been used to build homes and furniture. While the wood wasn’t destroyed, it was no longer considered suitable for high-quality purposes. Now, however, it’s perfect for use as biofuel. Under the mill’s partnership with FESBC, announced in January, those types of low-value wood – in addition to branches and treetops that were previously discarded into slash piles and burned at logging sites – will instead be chipped and transported to the mill for use generating renewable power. “We are very pleased to play a role in this project that allows us to access otherwise unused fiber from the forest, and use it to generate green electricity,” Kamloops Mill Manager Jean-Claude Allaire said.

“The forest sector has long supported and participated in efforts to enhance caribou recovery and protection – working alongside partners to advance meaningful solutions, including actively supporting the Government of BC’s Mountain Caribou Recovery Implementation Plan and participating in population augmentation trials. We will continue to work to enhance caribou habitat populations and believe the Section 11 Agreement delegation to the Province provides us with a greater range of tools to do this important work. However, we are deeply disappointed that the separate Partnership Agreement signed today permanently removes a significant amount of fibre from the timber harvesting land base and creates additional operational uncertainty. This permanent removal further shrinks the working forest and will have negative impacts on forestry workers, communities and regional economies.

In 2016, SCA launched a robust action plan with the goal that no known or registered archaeological or cultural remains would be damaged by forestry operations. The level of damage has since fallen every year. In 2019, 7.2% of relics were damaged in total, compared with 10.7% in the preceding year. “When we began to monitor the damage levels in 2015 these were at 40%, so this is a tremendous improvement,” says Anna Cabrajic, nature conservation expert at the Forest Management staff function. Much of the serious damage occurs in connection with site preparation, and also here SCA has noted a highly positive trend.

APRIL Group’s ongoing commitments to sustainable business, transparency and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were recognised at the Sustainable Business Awards (SBAs) Indonesia where it received several awards and was declared Overall Winner. The company, a leading producer of fibre, pulp and paper with plantations and manufacturing operations in Riau Sumatra, Indonesia, received awards for Best in Strategy and Sustainability Management, Best Stakeholder Engagement and Materiality, Best in UN SDGs, as well as a special award for its contribution to UN SDG 4 - Quality Education.

Georgia-Pacific and KBX Logistics have used smart software to efficiently plan routes, minimizing the miles spent driving with an empty trailer, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the business. The insights generated by using data capacity and processing power has allowed Georgia-Pacific and KBX to cut 4 million unnecessary non-revenue miles for its 2,300 contracted drivers – saving those 615,000 gallons of diesel. Another initiative to eliminate engine idling at Georgia-Pacific facilities also saved an extra 418,000 gallons of fuel between 2018 and 2019. That has prevented an additional more than 4,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Taking place in Berlin late last year, the Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Retail Summit, a global network for the consumer goods industry, focused on those burning issues. We were present at the Summit to discuss the benefits that packaging from sustainable sources can have for a more sustainable industry. We teamed up with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and PEFC Germany for a special session, taking a deep dive into sustainable packaging and sustainable forest management. Panelists from the public sector and the industry, including Coca-Cola, Heineken and Metsä Group, discussed the role of forests in biodiversity conservation, land erosion prevention and energy production, and how they can help support the SDGs.

International Paper has named its first-ever chief sustainability officer as it prepares to advance its contributions to the circular economy. Sophie Beckham will lead the company's recently announced Vision 2030, which demonstrates its commitment to building a better future for people, the planet and the company. "Customers, investors and employees depend on us to be leaders in environmental stewardship and to strengthen our people and communities; appointing a chief sustainability officer is the next step in our continuing progress," said Mark Sutton, chairman and chief executive officer. "Sophie is uniquely qualified to lead the pursuit of our Vision 2030 goals and drive sustainability efforts that create value for all of our stakeholders."

Beginning in October 2019, the silhouette of the Green Bay Broadway (GBB) mill began to change. The first of two 400-foot stacks, a significant part of the Green Bay skyline for decades, started to be removed. The north stack was no longer being used for exhaust after GBB replaced a coal-fired boiler with a new natural gas boiler back in 2015. The mill is installing another natural gas boiler in late 2020 while the remaining south stack is scheduled for removal in 2021. The investment in natural gas boilers, a piece of the $80 million sustainability investments at GBB, helped the mill to decrease its emissions of nitrous oxide by 67 percent and sulfur dioxide by more than 80 percent. When the second natural gas boiler is activated later this year, the facility will be completely coal-free in its operations and will reduce emissions to near zero levels.

The American recycling industry is in crisis — and cities are on the front lines. The big picture: The economics undergirding the U.S. recycling system have fallen apart. Unable to absorb the extra cost, some cities are opting to kill recycling programs altogether — just as public concerns about climate change are ratcheting up. China, the biggest buyer of U.S. recycled materials, has closed its doors. Before the ban, the U.S. was exporting around 70% of its waste to China. Changing consumer behaviors have made the trash-sorting process more complex and expensive. "The market for recycling has had a lot of shock," says Marian Chertow, a professor at Yale's School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. "Cities are thinking, 'Hm, is this really worth it?'"

As an extension of our sustainable forestry principles, Domtar has joined the American Forest Foundation (AFF) as a partner in its Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP). This new initiative, designed to enhance carbon sequestration in family-owned forestland across the United States, includes other business partners and charitable foundations, as well as the Nature Conservancy. The FFCP represents a new approach to climate change mitigation that taps into the carbon storage potential of family-owned forestland while creating a new market and source of income for the families who dedicate time and effort to their forest management.

2019 was the busiest year to date for Two Sides’ anti-greenwash campaign. Globally, 388 organizations were found to be using unsubstantiated claims about print and paper’s impact on the environment. These organizations were identified by Two Sides throughout Europe, North and South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Two Sides are pleased to report that 131 of those organizations engaged in 2019 have removed or changed their messaging. This brings the total number of companies to over 500 since the campaign began in 2010. During 2019 in North America, Two Sides worked with several major organizations to achieve significant changes in messaging, including Cigna, ComEd, Comcast, JP Morgan Asset Management, JP Morgan Chase, Principal, Selective Insurance, Starbucks, to name a few.

Bertelsmann has set itself an ambitious environmental goal: By 2030, the international media, services, and education company intends to be climate neutral. By then, Bertelsmann aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated at its locations, by its employees’ mobility, and the manufacture of its own products by 50 percent compared with 2018. At that time, these emissions amounted to one million tons of CO2. The remaining emissions will be offset. Bertelsmann will also support its business customers in reducing product-related emissions. Thomas Rabe, Chairman & CEO of Bertelsmann, says: “Protecting the environment is part of our corporate values, the Bertelsmann Essentials. With our decision to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, we are taking responsibility in the battle against climate change and global warming. In this connection, Bertelsmann has become one of around 800 companies worldwide to join the Science Based Target Initiative. The initiative supports companies in setting scientifically sound climate targets.

Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, has had its emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative as being consistent with the levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The targets, covering greenhouse gas emissions from Metsä Board’s operations (Scopes 1 and 2), are in line with reductions required to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Metsä Board has committed to reduce by 100% its absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 from a 2016 base year. Scope 1 covers greenhouse gas emissions caused by the company’s own production and Scope 2 refers to purchased energy. Metsä Board’s target for reducing the emissions from its value chain (Scope 3) also meet the SBTi’s criteria for ambitious value chain goals and are thus in line with current best practices. Metsä Board commits that 70% of its non-fibre suppliers and downstream transportation suppliers by spend will set science based targets by 2024.

UPM has signed a long-term Wind Power Purchase agreement with German wind park development company wpd. The use of renewable wind power for UPM’s paper mills will help reduce CO2 emissions by 200,000 tonnes annually as of 2022, representing 5% of UPM’s total CO2 emissions. For UPM, this is an important step towards achieving the company’s ambitious 65% CO2 emission reduction target by 2030. UPM Communication Papers, the world-leading manufacturer of graphic papers, has committed to purchasing the majority share of the annual electricity production of a wind project build by wpd, totaling approximately 4 TWh over the duration of the contract. The wind project will be built in Finland and is planned to run for 25-30 years. The contract will support the long-term competitiveness of UPM Communication Papers by providing renewable electricity at competitive prices.

2020 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for FSC – in the United States, and around the world. The pace of climate change aggravated events is increasing, with the huge and unprecedented fires in Australia only the latest catastrophe to capture the public eye. While such disasters are always tragic, they also educate people about the critical role of forests and the importance of responsible forest management. The climate crisis is generating ever-greater interest in FSC as a climate solution, which has prompted our newly ramped-up efforts to measure and communicate the impacts of FSC - including the commission of studies to quantify carbon storage additionality in FSC-certified forests. As we think about FSC’s impact, perhaps nothing matters more than our standard, which translates directly to environmental and social improvements on the ground wherever it is applied.

“Sustainable forestry is a core value among AF&PA members. Our country boasts 20 percent more trees than it did on the first Earth Day celebration nearly 50 years ago, and the U.S. paper and wood products industry plays an important role in helping keep forests as forests. "Efforts to plant more trees are an important piece of a complex puzzle. This is why the paper industry has the most comprehensive set of quantifiable sustainability goals of any U.S. manufacturing industry in our Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative. With goals centered around increasing the amount of certified fiber we procure, increasing paper recovery, improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing water use - among others - we are proud of the holistic approach our industry has adopted to ensure our resources will be available for future generations just as they are today.

DS Smith and Keep Scotland Beautiful have teamed up on the Cup Movement® - an initiative designed to offer coffee cup recycling in the Greater Glasgow area. In 2019, Scotland made its way through 500 million single-use coffee cups, with Greater Glasgow contributing almost 100 million cups alone. With coffee cup recycling rates at only 4%, over 90 million cups ended up in landfill or incineration to produce energy-from-waste (EfW).

The food industry is among the several fields that are introducing wood and fiber based raw materials at an accelerating pace. Huhtamaki is increasing the use of renewable and versatile materials, such as paper and cardboard, and nearly 70% of Huhtamaki’s product portfolio is already made of fiber-based products. Huhtamaki’s goal is that 100% of the wood fiber in its products comes from recycled or certified sustainable sources and in 2018, we reached 98% level. The company is investing in innovation that introduces renewable, safe materials and solutions for food packaging. “Fiber packaging is a key innovation area for us, and in some applications, it can fully replace plastic,” says Richard Ali, Sustainability Director from Huhtamaki Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania.

CDP, an international non-profit organisation, has again acknowledged Metsä Board, part of the Metsä Group. Metsä Board scored A- both in the CDP’s Water and Forest programmes. In addition, Metsä Board scored A- in CDP’s Supplier Engagement Rating, which assesses the companys’ actions in managing fossil carbon dioxide emissions and in engaging supply chain to mitigate climate change. Earlier this year Metsä Board was nominated on the CDP Climate A List for the fourth consecutive year. In 2019 Metsä Board announced its new, ambitious sustainability targets for 2030, including a target of having fossil free mills by 2030 with zero fossil CO2 emissions. The new targets also include a 30 percent decrease in process water use per product tonne compared to the 2018 level. Metsä Board also aims to increase the share of certified fibre in its products to a minimum of 90 percent by 2030.

Auditors from around India are invited to join our Chain of Custody auditor training session in New Delhi. The training takes place 26-27 February with a field trip on 28 February. Sign up now! The training costs USD 500/person (INR 36,000) for all three days. The price includes the field trip and online test, lunch, course material and a certificate of attendance. The training will be in English. Trainees will be required to complete an online knowledge test after completion of the in-person training. Qualified trainees will receive a certificate as qualified PEFC Chain of Custody Auditors from PEFC International.

Tetra Pak has been commended for its climate action and driving sustainable sourcing in its supply chain for the fourth time, achieving a place on the global environmental impact non-profit CDP's prestigious ‘A List’ based on the company’s reporting in 2019. Reporting to CDP highlights Tetra Pak’s commitment to transparency and measurement of its sustainability positioning. One of 179 companies recognised for actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy, and one of 8 companies working to prevent deforestation in supply chains via sustainable sourcing of key commodities that are linked to deforestation.

To address misleading environmental claims claims, Two Sides North America and FPAC have worked together with several Canadian organizations to change their marketing messages related to print and paper. This partnership addresses misleading claims such as “go green – go paperless” and “save trees” which are regularly used by financial institutions, utility providers and governmental organizations to encourage customers to switch from paper to less costly electronic bills and statements. One of the successes includes convincing the Canadian Revenue Agency to change it’s messaging on tax assessments. To date, Two Sides has successfully worked with 125 leading North American organizations (over 440 worldwide) to remove or change inaccurate environmental claims.

CDP Forests provides a framework of action for companies to measure and manage forest-related risks and opportunities, transparently report on progress, and commit to proactive action for the restoration of forests and ecosystems. For water stewardship relevant companies are asked to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Mondi was again among the respondents this year, and improved its score to an A- rating for CDP’s forest score for timber, which is in the Leadership band. This is higher than the European regional average of B-, and higher than the paper products & packaging sector average of B. Mondi’s water security score also improved to an A rating this year, significantly improving its rating from the previous year.

The global non-profit, CDP, has recognised UPM as one of the only six Triple A List companies globally for its significant actions to mitigate climate risk, prevent deforestation and enhance water stewardship. UPM was featured on the A List for Climate, Forests and Water out of thousands who were evaluated in 2019. “We are truly honoured to receive this recognition. A leadership position on the A List in all three dimensions of CDP shows that our ambitious 2030 responsibility targets and working towards them is seen globally significant,” says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility, UPM.

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced its formal agreement with Georgia-Pacific Recycling to collaborate in creating a closed loop system to recover, segregate, and reprocess post-consumer resin (PCR). The two companies share a long working history, and will now harness their expertise in their respective disciplines to increase domestic recovery of plastics in support of the transition toward a more circular economy. Georgia-Pacific Recycling will use its national network of recycled material suppliers and logistics providers to procure and transport the post-consumer plastic material to be recycled. Berry will reprocess the plastic material to incorporate into its broad portfolio of polyethylene film and polypropylene products.

Millennials are poised to change all aspects of business for many years to come – including the packaging of the beverages they drink and foods they eat. In findings from the EcoFocus Worldwide 2019 US Trends Survey, Millennials put a significantly higher priority on sustainability than have the generations before them and will reward brands and businesses that understand how to align packaging with their eco-focus needs. Learn more about the 5 keys to understanding how millennials will impact sustainable packaging forever: •A healthier planet means a healthier me •Healthier foods & beverages are even healthier in sustainable packaging •Food & beverages need to come in packaging that supports sustainable practices •Brand owners will build trust by acting more responsibly towards the environment •It is worth paying more for eco-friendly products

Sustainable manufacturing and responsible sourcing are at the centre of Malaysian firm One-Tech, that recently became the first manufacturer in Malaysia producing PEFC-certified homeware under its DAPO brand. Founded in 1993, One-Tech has been strongly advocating ‘green manufacturing’ and sustainable design since 2013, in a desire to be a more responsible producer. It has future ambitions to make Malaysia the South-East Asian hub for sustainable timber products. One-Tech obtained chain of custody certification of Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), our national member for Malaysia, in April 2018.

UPM commits to the United Nations Global Compact’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C, joining leading companies in a promise to pursue science-based measures to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. UPM will strive to mitigate climate change and drive value creation through innovating novel products, committing to a 65% CO2 emission reduction and by practicing sustainable forestry. The 1.5°C ambition is a response to increasing concern about the severe consequences of a failure to stop global warming. UPM is among the first global forest industry companies making this commitment. “UPM has a unique opportunity to make a positive impact and contribute to mitigating climate change by tangible actions. We innovate climate-positive products and turn them into growing businesses. At the same time, we limit risks from climate mitigation policies and physical impacts of changing climate. This is important for the long-term value of the company,” says Jussi Pesonen, President and CEO of UPM.

“Paper and wood products manufacturers applaud the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for providing clarity around the implementation of Clean Water Act regulations across the United States. All stakeholders – including forest products manufacturers and state and local governments – deserve regulatory certainty as they work to ensure our nation’s waters are protected. As one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation with a successful record of implementing sustainable manufacturing principles and investing in improving water quality, we support EPA’s action to promote the environment, economic growth and job creation.”

This year’s sowing season has started at SCA’s seedling operation, NorrPlant. A total of 100 million seeds will be planted this year, and SCA’s seedlings account for approximately a quarter of all seedlings grown in Sweden. In an almost never-ending stream, each pot in the seedling boxes receives a single seed on the automated sowing line at SCA’s Bogrundet nursery – which is the largest tree nursery in the world. The sowing will continue until the end of June and SCA will sow an average of one million seeds a day at its two nurseries.

Metsä Group acquires nature sites that are used to compensate for the conservation areas required of forest owners by the FSC® forest certification. The new service offered to owner-members ensures that the conservation required of forest estates belonging to the FSC forest certification group is aimed at the most valuable nature sites. Metsä Group’s partner in the acquisition of nature sites is the Dasos Habitat fund managed by Dasos Capital Oy. Key investors in the fund are Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company, LocalTapiola and the Finnish Cultural Foundation. A requirement for the FSC forest certification is that at least 5% of the forest land of the associated forest estate is permanently excluded from forest use.

Three standards that further strengthen PEFC’s Sustainability Benchmarks and assist in safeguarding forests globally have been approved by the PEFC General Assembly. The revised standards, which govern chain of custody certification, trademark use, and conformity assessment, will enter into force on 14 February 2020. Chain of custody establishes the link from the forest to the market, tracking forest-based material from sustainable sources to the final product. The Chain of Custody standard lays out the requirements that a company must meet to achieve PEFC chain of custody certification. This includes requirements to avoid “controversial sources” - material not to be used in certified products. The updated definition of controversial sources now incorporates additional sustainability requirements, enabling companies along the entire timber value chain, including those far removed from the forest, to help promote responsible forestry beyond the purchase of certified wood.

Pro Carton have just released the results of their study into how much carbon is emitted during the production of cardboard packaging. We look at the figures and assess just how environmentally friendly this material is. While cardboard packaging is undoubtedly one of the most sustainable materials in the world, when it comes to hard, scientific data on its actual carbon footprint, there’s very little information. Recycling rates, renewable energy use, forestry schemes, replanting programmes, water use – figures are available for most of the individual parts of the production and recycling process, but there’s never been an actual number for the amount of carbon emissions generated during the manufacture of cartonboard packaging – until now. Click read more below for additional info.

Metsä Board was recognised for its actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop a low-carbon economy. It is one of a small number of high-performing companies out of the thousands that were scored. In 2019, over 8,400 companies submitted information to be independently assessed against CDP’s supplier engagement rating methodology. “Metsä Board is a leader in sustainability and a position on the CDP Climate ‘A List’ is a welcome recognition to our continuous efforts. Last year we published our target to have 100% fossil free mills by 2030 and the ‘A List’ position confirms that we are working towards this ambitious goal,” says Mika Joukio, CEO of Metsä Board.

Two Sides North America has released three new fact sheets addressing key environmental topics related to paper and print. Download them by clicking the links below. Paper Recovery and Recycling (https://twosidesna.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2019/11/Paper-Recovery-and-Recycling.pdf) Paper Production and Sustainable Forestry (https://twosidesna.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2019/11/Sustainable-Forestry.pdf) Environmental Facts About the Canadian Paper Industry (https://twosidesna.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2020/01/Environmental-Facts-About-the-Canadian-Paper-Industry_2019.pdf)

Responsible Wood is incredibly grateful for the efforts of those battling bushfires and remain primarily concerned for the wellbeing of people and communities affected by the bushfires. Responsible Wood, our PEFC member in Australia, has released a statement following the devastating fires in the country: Our thoughts are with those affected by the bushfire crisis along with the firefighters, emergency services and the many thousands of volunteers working to protect and support communities across Australia.

The new bio-boiler plant has been put into operation at UPM Joensuu Plywood Mill. It replaces the combined heat and power plant which was built in 1962. The modern bio-boiler plant not only improves the mill's energy efficiency but also environmental performance, occupational safety and fire safety. The boiler uses biofuel, i.e. by-products of plywood production, such as bark and wood chips. Thus, no additional trees are cut down to generate thermal energy. The combustion technology based on the grate technology is more efficient than the technology of the old power plant, which means lower fuel consumption per heat output and thus lower emissions.

Crown Holdings, Inc. has committed to a new environmental sustainability goal to reduce water usage in its global operations by 20% from 2019 levels by the end of 2025. These efforts will decrease the Company's water usage by over 500 million gallons annually. The goal continues the progression of water usage reduction activities that have been underway in Crown's global facilities since 2016. "We recognize the global urgency around water conservation and the responsibility we have as a business to help protect this invaluable resource," said Jerry Gifford, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Crown. "With the accomplishment of our first external sustainability goals well within our reach by the end of 2020, we are raising the bar for our future performance targets. Establishing an ambitious water usage reduction goal is an example of that in action and represents only one piece of a larger water stewardship strategy that will be announced later this year."

At Domtar, we continue to lead in environmental sustainability, with our work rooted in responsibility, efficiency and engagement. We were the first forest products company to become FSC-certified, and now we’re working to understand what’s next in sustainable forestry. As we move forward in our sustainability journey, we’re exploring blockchain technology as a way to increase transparency in our supply chain. “It’s natural that we are looking ahead to what may come next,” says Paige Goff, Domtar’s vice president of sustainability. “We’re researching ways to incorporate blockchain technology into our sustainability efforts so that we can demonstrate even greater transparency to our stakeholders. We think this technology can work hand in hand with our existing certification efforts and with environmental organizations to make our sustainability reporting process more robust and less complex.”

The first biorefinery in the world to produce wood-based advanced biofuels started commercial production in Lappeenranta, Finland five years ago. The UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery uses wood-based residual raw material, crude tall oil, to produce unique renewable fuels that genuinely decrease emissions and mitigate climate change. Today, UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery produces approximately 160 million litres of advanced biofuels and biomaterials each year. These are used to replace fossil-based raw materials in transport fuels and various plastics and adhesives used, for example, in packaging and construction materials. “Our clients can reduce their carbon footprint by replacing fossil-based raw materials with low-emission goods produced by the biorefinery using renewable raw material,” says Panu Routasalo, Vice President of UPM Biofuels.

PEFC invites stakeholders globally to nominate candidates for the permanent PEFC Chain of Custody Working Group. To nominate a candidate to participate in the working group, please fill out the nomination form. The nomination deadline is 31 January 2020. This working group is responsible for the development of the PEFC chain of custody, including the maintenance of the following standards, which have been recently revised: *PEFC ST 2001, PEFC Trademarks *PEFC ST 2002, PEFC Chain of Custody *PEFC ST 2003, Certification Body Requirements – Chain of Custody. The PEFC Chain of Custody Working Group will work on the further implementation and interpretation of these standards and the development of new tools. It will also ensure the PEFC chain of custody is up-to-date regarding stakeholder needs, technology developments and certification demands.

Gap Inc. recently took two new steps to advance our sustainability journey to reduce carbon emissions: signing the G7 Fashion Pact and landing our new Science Based Target to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Ahead of the G7 Summit held in France last summer, Gap Inc. joined with 32 leading apparel and textile companies to sign the Fashion Pact, a set of aggressive and concrete commitments that directly address three priority areas with significant environmental impacts: across Oceans, Climate and Biodiversity. This coalition will work together to scale new solutions and redirect investment toward the reduction of carbon, increase in biodiversity and resilient development by 2050. For us, this builds on prior commitments we have made, including as a signatory of the United Nations Fashion Charter on Climate Change, which recognizes the role our industry must play in protecting the environment and includes multiple pledges of action.

PAFC Congo Basin has announced the start of the regional public consultation for their forest management certification system. Stakeholders from around the region are encouraged to provide their feedback on the first draft of the sustainable forest management standard and the chain of custody standard. The public consultation is open from 13 December 2019 until 14 February 2020, to forest management stakeholders interested in participating in the process. The 60 day regional-level public consultation is an integral part of the development process of any national or regional standard looking to be endorsed by PEFC. This is one of the final steps in the standard setting process before the final draft of the standard is approved, published, and submitted to PEFC for endorsement.

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil delivered a decision that could define his time in office — his government won't amend the Boat Harbour Act, forcing the impending closure of Northern Pulp's effluent facility by the end of January. The move keeps a promise McNeil made to a First Nation almost five years ago. But forces the closure of Northern Pulp, the largest player in the province's forestry sector. Without being able to use Boat Harbour to treat its effluent, the Pictou County mill is unable to operate, and could kill as many as 2,700 forestry-related jobs.

“Congress should be applauded for continued recognition of the need to foster U.S. manufacturing growth through federal biomass policy that appropriately reflects the paper and wood product industry’s use of carbon-neutral biomass for energy production. Clear public policy on biomass carbon neutrality will level the playing field to help our manufacturers compete globally and support future economic growth and job creation. That’s a winning combination and action our industry has sought for more than nine years. Moreover, implementation of clear policy will support the use of carbon neutral biomass as a fuel source for our mills, which provides significant greenhouse gas reduction benefits to the environment.”

Zeus, the Irish-owned global packaging company has today launched the first nationwide infrastructure to recycle every type of paper coffee cup in Ireland as part of the Coffee Cup Recycling Scheme. Through an exclusive partnership in Ireland with DS Smith, the scheme will provide the long sought-after national recycling infrastructure to ensure the 200 million single-use coffee cups that are used and thrown away every year in Ireland1 do not end up in landfill. The AIL Group, the retail group behind Abrakebabra, the Bagel Factory and the O’Briens sandwich chain, has signed on as the first customer of the scheme. The coffee cup collection boxes will be rolled out to 80 O’Briens and Bagel Factory outlets nationwide from January 2020.

We’re highlighting just a few of the community investment projects accomplished by ECA teams in 2019 in our year-end review: •The Kingsport and newly established Ridgefields ECA teams volunteered more than 100 hours to construct the Castle Playground at Johnson Elementary School. •The Hawesville and newly established Owensboro ECA teams partnered with the Student Conservation Association to clean up Jeffreys Cliffs Conservation and Recreation Area. •Teams in Ashdown, Brownsville, Dryden, Fort Mill, Kamloops, Montreal, Nekoosa and Rothschild assembled 3,250 Comfort and Care Kits to donate to underserved families in our communities. Each kit contained two packs of Comfees® diapers and three board books. •Our Port Huron team initiated a core recycling program, diverting an estimated 25-plus tons of cardboard from the landfill.

Forests are at the heart of society’s action to combat climate change and its impacts. As carbon sinks, trees capture and store carbon, removing significant volumes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Forest products meanwhile, provide us with a carbon-neutral alternative to our reliance on fossil fuels. But to ensure that forests reach their full potential as a climate change solution, they must be managed sustainably. This is where PEFC certification comes in.

As we barrel through the festive season, brands are feverishly ramping up their marketing, using every channel to grab consumer attention and cash. But while many feel we have reached peak platform – the human mind unable to cope with more messages from more directions – there’s now another to add to the list: wrapping paper. It’s so simple it’s a wonder it’s not been done before. After all, the history of wrapping paper goes all the way back to the second century BC, when gifts in ancient China would be presented in ornate paper envelopes. But this year, a number of brands have spotted the potential of gift wrap as a marketing channel, as well as a tangible indicator of their sustainable values.

India generated 26,000 tonnes per day of plastic waste in 2017-18, of that only 60 per cent was recycled and the rest ended up as litter on roads, in landfills or streams. Single use plastic industry is close to Rs 80,000 crore right now and growing. Packaging accounts for a third of India's plastic consumption, and 70 per cent of plastic packaging is turned into waste in a short span. While uncollected plastic waste poses a huge threat to species on land and in water, single-use plastic bags and styrofoam containers can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, said the study released at the world's largest paper fair, PAPEREX organized by Hyve India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Hyve Group Plc, London, last week. Paper, on the other hand, is eco-friendly green product and bio-degradable, it said, adding it was a myth that the paper industries cut trees for production, and consumption of water and energy is high. Paper industry plants more trees than harvested and primary raw material are 100 per cent renewable like wood and agro-residues.

SCA has made 50,000 hectares of forest available here for the Forest Facts study. “Digital development is very important to SCA and to forest management in general and we believe it is important to be at the forefront of developments. It was therefore natural that we would provide land for this study. You can compare it with a digital test site,” says Ola Kårén, SCA’s head of forest management. Forest Facts is focusing on establishing new methods for measuring the forest. The main idea is to develop methods that use laser scanning, satellite images and data registered by harvesters.

KDC and Celadon noted that in North America e-commerce trends are driving higher OCC generation in the residential recycling stream. A technology company and investment firm say they will develop two North American facilities processing more than 800,000 tons per year of mixed paper and OCC into recycled pulp and paper. The project, led by investment firm Kamine Development Corporation Sustainable Infrastructure (KDC) in partnership with technology company Celadon, will kick off next year and will involve a total investment of $300 million.

“Paper and wood products manufacturers applaud EPA’s action that recognizes its ambient air policy must fit modern times and monitoring technology. This common-sense approach will allow the EPA to embrace realistic exposure scenarios to estimate the air quality impacts of projects aimed at modernizing U.S. manufacturing plants. Moreover, the new policy fulfills the twin purposes of the Clean Air Act to enhance the quality of our air and promote the productive capacity of the nation. As one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation, we have invested billions of dollars on environmental stewardship with significant air quality improvements. Our industry welcomes regulatory policy that supports its ability to apply sustainable business practices to help grow the economy and create American manufacturing jobs.”

M.Sc. (Tech.), MBA Riikka Joukio is appointed Metsä Group’s SVP, Climate and Circular Economy as of 5 December 2019. She reports to Jari Voutilainen, SVP, Corporate Affairs.In her new role, Joukio supports Metsä Group’s cooperation with key societal stakeholders and acts as the Group’s representative in climate change and circular economy related working groups and forums.

The SFI Small Lands Group Certification Module offers certification of a group of small family forest lands, under one certificate, that are supplying the SFI Program Participant that is certified to the SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), one of our PEFC members in North America, submitted the new SFI Small Lands Group Certification Module to PEFC in 2018. It achieved PEFC endorsement on 12 November 2019, following a vote by the PEFC General Assembly. The Small Lands Module takes the burden off the landowner, and instead places it on the organization that has a need for more certified forest content.

UPM joins 4evergreen which is a new initative by Cepi, the European association representing the paper industry, to boost the contribution of fibre-based packaging in a circular and sustainable economy. 4evergreen was created as a forum to engage and connect industry members from across the fibre-based packaging value chain, from paper and board producers to packaging converters, brand owners and retailers, technology and material suppliers, waste sorters and collectors. There is an increasing need for sustainable packaging solutions. UPM engages with customers constantly to develop new innovative solutions. “We welcome this initiative as it brings together the whole value chain and has the potential to provide strong facts in support of fibre-based packaging. We believe that we can speed up the development of improved, sustainable products and recycling solutions when we increase information sharing and collaboration between the packaging value chain members”, says Mikko Rissanen, Director, Business Intelligence and Development, UPM Specialty Papers.

“Looking back to 1999, it was a time when we had no office, no staff and no money. All we had was enthusiasm and boundless optimism for the future. Now, we are the world’s largest forest certification system, with more than 300 million hectares of PEFC-certified forest area.” “We have some fundamental values that we shared back then and we still share today: our focus on smallholders and indigenous people, the importance of property rights and working together, of raising the profile of the whole forestry sector.” Working together has always been core to the PEFC family. We have grown from the 12 founding members, and with the addition of Guyana and Ukraine today, we now have over 80 members around the world.

owbell Brewing Co. won the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified Wood Award today for using responsibly sourced wood products in the design of North America’s first carbon neutral brewery. The award is part of the Wood Design & Building Awards program. Allan Avis Architects received the award at the Toronto Wood Solutions Fair in Toronto on November 22. Cowbell chose SFI-certified products for this beautiful brewery, restaurant and event space south of Blyth, a village in southwestern Ontario. It features a closed-loop brewery and an on-site carbon sequestration initiative.

Forest Stewardship Council, the world’s most trusted forest certification system, announced its 2019 FSC Leadership Awards in a celebration held in conjunction with Greenbuild 2019. Recognizing enduring commitment to forest conservation, the Awards highlight uncommon excellence that advances responsible forest management. “From biodiversity and carbon storage to a sustainable supply of wood and fiber, people are waking up to the importance of responsibly managed forests to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges,” said Corey Brinkema, president of the Forest Stewardship Council U.S. “This year’s FSC Leadership Award winners demonstrate that we can conserve forests, fight climate change and protect wildlife habitat, even as we use forest products every day,” he added. FSC Leadership Awards celebrate forest owners, builders, architects, retailers, paper mills, manufacturers, environmental organizations and many others who contribute to the movement toward responsible sourcing and forest management.

Huhtamaki is a Tier One member in the newly formed industry alliance called 4evergreen. The members of the alliance come from across the fiber-based packaging value chain, from paper and board producers to packaging converters, brand-owners and retailers, technology and material suppliers and waste collectors, sharing the aim to develop sustainable, circular and functional packaging. The majority of fiber-based packaging is already recyclable but a lot can be done to improve recycling rates. 4evergeen aims to boost recycling rates for example by introducing further standardization for both product design and materials. An important bottleneck today is the collection and recycling infrastructure, and one of the aims of the alliance is to ensure that there is 100% access to collection schemes for wood fiber-based packaging in Europe. The alliance also aims to introduce EU-level standards for testing methods related to product recyclability.

Stora Enso, along with other members of CEPI, the European association representing the forest fiber and paper industry, are joining forces with companies across the value chain to drive the recycling of fiber-based packaging and collaboration in circular design and materials to enable positive change in circular economy. 4evergreen aims to boost the contribution of fiber-based packaging in a circular and sustainable economy that minimizes climate and environmental impact. In addition, the goals are to increase awareness about innovation in fiber-based packaging materials and recycling, set guidelines for product design enabling circularity and secondary use of fibers, and support the development of optimized collection systems as well as critical recycling infrastructures and technologies adapted to fiber-based packaging.

Sappi Limited is pleased to announce that its three dissolving wood pulp (DWP) production facilities namely Cloquet, Ngodwana and Saiccor Mills have completed the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) self-assessment via the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s (SAC) online portal. The Higg FEM is a sustainability assessment tool that standardises how facilities measure and evaluate their environmental performance, year over year. Sustainability performance is influenced by the effectiveness of a company’s Environmental Management System. In addition, the tool evaluates whether baseline measurements and continuous improvement plans are in place for water, energy and chemical use, as well as for wastewater, air emissions, and waste generation.

“Successful outcomes result from partnership and collaboration. That’s why the EPA deserves a round of applause for bringing together recycling stakeholders, decision makers and government officials to celebrate recycling successes, learn from each other and address the challenges before us. For our part, as an industry we are working to remove confusion about what is recyclable – pizza boxes, for example, which are recyclable. “Paper and paper-based product manufacturers have a long history of applying sustainable business practices to innovate and adapt to market demands to drive future successes. Take the U.S. paper recovery for recycling rate. In 2018, industry and consumer commitment to increasing the quality and quantity of paper recovered for recycling contributed to a record high 68.1 percent rate. The paper recovery rate has met or exceeded 63 percent for the past decade.

Recycling has come a long way. It was not long ago that you had to sort materials into separate bins yourself and then drive them across town to find a drop-off. Nowadays, single sort and curbside pick-up are more common and make recycling easier. As a result, the number of households that recycle continues to rise. Labels have also become easier to read as the industry transitions from numbers-based (e.g. 1, 2, 3) to easy-to-read labels from How2Recycle®. Recycling is an important step you can take in your own life to reduce your environmental footprint. Every material and component is different in its recyclability: •Metal Cans (Aluminum & Steel): These are accepted by most recycling programs. •Plastic: Since there are different types of plastic, recyclability varies based on material and other factors. •Glass: This is accepted by most recycling programs. •Paper/Cardboard: Paper is one of the most commonly recycled items.

At our 24th General Assembly at the heart of this year’s PEFC Forest Certification Week, we welcomed our 52nd and 53rd national members. The General Assembly, our highest decision making body, voted Ukraine and Guyana into the alliance. “Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe, and 15.6% of land is covered by forests. That is 10.4 million hectares,” said Mariya Maha from the Association National Voluntary Forest Certification System, our new national member for Ukraine. Our second new member, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), is leading the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), a trade agreement between Guyana and the European Union. The collaboration between PEFC and local stakeholders in Guyana began in 2015, supported by the PEFC Collaboration Fund.

Three new members elected to the PEFC International Board at the 24th PEFC General Assembly in Würzburg, Germany. David Ford elected as the new Vice Chair, and two members re-elected for another term. Josien Tokoe, from the Kari’na people of Suriname, is a member of the Organization of the Indigenous Peoples of Suriname (IOS) and the lead for Human, Women and Family Political and Social Rights in COICA (the Coordination of in the Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon Basin). Kurt Ramskogler is Chairman of PEFC Austria, and Managing Director of the LIECO nursery of the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation. Kurt is also an Advisory Board Member of the BFW (Austrian Research Center for Forests). Dradjad Wibowo is the Chairman and Founder of PEFC member Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC). He is also the Founder and Chief Economist of Sustainable Development Indonesia (SDI) and an Associate Professor on the Perbanas Institute.

For this year’s PEFC Week, the PEFC family is gathering in Würzburg, where we first presented our logo in 1999, a few months before PEFC was founded. The meeting in Würzburg marked a turning point in the establishment of our organization. In 2019, we have been driving innovation via novel technological approaches and engagement in emerging issues through our projects and partnerships. We are striving to further increase our communications effectiveness through new online campaigns, including a video campaign and our annual photo contest. We focus our engagement in emerging sectors such as construction, packaging and fashion and forge new partnerships that will benefit millions of smallholders.

20 years ago, European small-forest owners met in Würzburg, Germany, to create an international forest certification system that had their needs at heart. On 30 June 1999, PEFC was born. 20 years later, the PEFC alliance is back, for the 2019 PEFC Forest Certification Week. The Würzburg meeting in April 1999 proved to be a turning point in our history. It was the moment when everyone involved committed to the creation of PEFC: there was no turning back – and we are delighted to return to this defining location! Today, the stunning Marienberg Fortress, rising above the city of Würzburg, welcomes 150 representatives from PEFC members from around the world. The biggest PEFC Week ever, we have come together not only to celebrate our 20th anniversary, but also to look forward, to discuss where the future will take us.

Bulgaria has become the latest member to achieve PEFC endorsement of its national forest certification system. The PEFC General Assembly voted for the endorsement of the Bulgarian system in a postal ballot. “We are very grateful to our friends from the other members of PEFC who, through their vote, have endorsed the Bulgarian standard,” said Antony Stefanov, Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria, our national member for Bulgaria. To achieve PEFC endorsement, a national system goes through a rigorous assessment to confirm it was developed in line with our requirements. Through this process, we can ensure that national standards meet our globally accepted PEFC Sustainability Benchmarks.

The draft FSC US Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment for Alaska and Hawaii (US NRA-Part 2) is now available for public consultation. All stakeholders are invited to provide input on the draft NRA. Comments are due on December 23, 2019. Please find additional information on the consultation web page. The previously approved FSC US National Risk Assessment (NRA) for the conterminous United States (Part 1) did not address the states of Alaska or Hawaii, or US territories. This ‘Part 2’ NRA mostly closes that gap by assessing the risk of ineligible materials entering the FSC system from forests in Alaska and Hawaii. FSC certificate holders that wish to control non-certified forest materials from Alaska and Hawaii (so that those materials may be mixed with FSC certified materials for use in certified products that carry the FSC Mix label) will be required to incorporate the approved version of the Part 2 risk assessment into their due diligence system.

Forest certification is in this context a success story. As of 2019, about one-third of the wood used in products, packaging or construction is certified as originating from sustainable forest management and supply chains. PEFC, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, has been instrumental to this success. With innovations such as group certification, a mechanism that makes certification accessible to small- and family forest owners, PEFC has expanded the accessibility of certification. Today about one million forest owners have obtained PEFC certification. With its latest sustainable forest management standard, PEFC expanded the scope of certification to include Trees outside Forests, extending the impact of PEFC certification beyond the boundaries of the forest. This innovation can make PEFC certification practical and affordable to farmers or other land managers, who are often growing trees as just one of their many crops.

The majority of consumers include sustainability among the most important factors when determining their spending habits, according to new data released by Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas from the 2019 Paper & Packaging Consumer Trends Report. The report finds that environmental sustainability is a driving factor for 53% of Americans when making any type of product purchase decision. Three in five adults (61%) would be willing to pay more for food products packaged in sustainable materials, with 35% saying they would be open to paying up to 10% more. Consumers also note the importance of sustainability when making purchasing decisions for retail goods (48%), office goods (47%) and luxury goods (44%).

You want to order online but hate the non-recyclable packaging material used in e-commerce in addition to cardboard? You are a restaurant owner and want to cut down on the dozens of Styrofoam boxes that your fish is delivered in every day? You are thinking of building a house but worry about the carbon emissions linked to using concrete and steel? It can seem difficult to find adequate alternatives for these seemingly ubiquitous, carbon-intensive materials, but alternatives do exist. Recyclable packaging and wood-based construction materials are already here and ready to be used on a much bigger scale. The exhibition Forests and the Circular Economy. A future without plastics, opened yesterday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. It showcased some of the many renewable and sustainably sourced products that the forest sector can offer, providing solutions to global challenges as part of a circular economy.

Logistics plays a significant role in the forest industry’s production chain. First the wood raw material is transported from the forest to the mill. Then, after processing, it is shipped to the customer as pulp, paper, plywood, or sawn timber. UPM Forest reduces its carbon footprint and emissions by choosing the most appropriate vehicles, routes and warehouses for its transport needs. As a further positive offshoot, this also improves transport efficiency.

Using the new system for forwarding optimization, SCA’s site planners can develop smart proposals that help to transport the timber out of the forest in the most efficient manner possible. It is good for the environment, as it helps to avoid damage to the terrain, and also saves money. “The decision support system offers suggestions for the main haulage route in the harvesting area that will be used to transport most of the timber. It shows how the forwarder can reach the wood pile location by using the most efficient route and with the least impact on the terrain,” explains Tomas Johansson at the Technology and Operational Development staff function.

Visitors to Warriors’ Path State Park in Tennesse will enjoy a smoother hike this fall, thanks to the efforts of Domtar’s EarthChoice® Ambassadors (ECAs). These volunteers are committed to transforming communities where they live, work and play. In October, ECAs from our Kingsport Mill and our Ridgefields converting facility worked with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to clear trash, install steps and restore trails in the park. As part of this joint effort, our colleagues removed 35 decaying steps and replaced them with new ones, and they picked up more than 135 pounds of trash. By the end of the day, they had restored a section of pedestrian trail for public use.

Two years ago, UPM Timber and UPM Plywood’s Finnish mills became the first UPM businesses to achieve its Zero Solid Waste project’s recycling targets. Having achieved this first goal, UPM Timber and UPM Plywood — along with the rest of the company — have set their sights on achieving the Zero Solid Waste to Landfill goal by 2030. This means not depositing any waste in landfill sites or incinerating waste without energy recovery within the next 11 years. To meet this ambitious goal, they will harness innovative new technologies, improve waste collection and reuse to create a true circular economy. Overall, UPM is currently about halfway towards achieving its zero waste to landfill goal, while UPM Timber has already reached this ambitious goal. With that said, UPM Timber continues to work on more innovative ways to meet the criteria, so that it remains a zero waste operation well into the future. Lampola explains that it can be a challenge to find a “commercially sensible and direct destinations for collected raw materials,” especially after accounting for prices and use cases.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued a report helping UPM to predict the future physical impacts of climate change on its business. While acknowledging the risks, the report confirms that there are also opportunities as the world shifts to a low-carbon economy. From the nature point of view, the impacts, such as heavy rainfall, storms and drought will be the biggest extremes all across the world. We need science to help us prepare for this.

DS Smith, the leading provider of sustainable packaging, has today announced its membership of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) International, which promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Since the acquisition and integration of Interstate Resources and more recent acquisition of Europac, DS Smith now owns over 14,000 hectares of forest assets across North America, Portugal and Spain. FSC is the world’s most trusted sustainable forest certification system. More than 200 million hectares of forest worldwide are FSC-certified, and DS Smith joins the certification system as part of its forestry stewardship policy and overarching sustainable approach to management.

Highlights from this year’s report include: •Named as one of Forbes’ JUST 100, Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies, and Mediacorp Canada’s Greenest Employers lists. •Committed to a 25 percent reduction in global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. •Achieved 100 percent ENERGY STAR eco-labels for all Xerox’s new eligible product introductions. •Diverted nearly 100 percent of leased Xerox equipment from landfills and optimized end-of-life processing. •Planted more than 100,000 trees

Metsä Fibre, Metsä Group’s pulp and sawn timber industry, has been awarded for the company’s sustainability work by the EFQM Global Excellence Award. The company won the Outstanding Achievement for Sustainability Award and reached the EFQM rating Recognised for Excellence 6 Stars. EFQM organisation gave the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award to Metsä Fibre for the excellent work the company has done in promoting and continuously developing sustainability. Metsä Fibre received special thanks for the ways it takes sustainability into account in its investments and action plans, and for the way sustainability is reflected in the corporate culture at all levels of the organisation. ”We are delighted and proud for this recognition,” says Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre. “At Metsä Fibre, our key principle is continuous improvement, and sustainability and responsibility are an integral part of everything we do.

Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving wood pulp, today announced a partnership with the nonprofit organizations American Forest Foundation (AFF) and GreenBlue to support the Forests in Focus sustainability risk assessment. The goal of Forests in Focus is to provide customers, brand owners and investors with user-friendly analyses of the sustainability strengths and risk profile of forested lands across specified landscapes. Utilizing credible, scientific-based information gathered by third parties, the platform is designed to complement existing forest certification programs and provide an account of sustainability for U.S. woodbaskets, in the context of global supply systems. As an early adopter and investor in the program, Sappi will leverage the new technology to support and validate its sustainability claims and to monitor risks and further strengthen its supply chain.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) launched the process to revise and update the SFI standard requirements at the SFI Annual Conference today. A conference workshop marked the official start of the revision process with over 200 members of the SFI community taking part. “The SFI Standards are developed through an open and inclusive process involving the many different people and groups who know and care about our forests including forest sector representatives, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. The process includes 10 public standards development workshops across the U.S. and Canada including a dedicated workshop for Indigenous Peoples and a facilitated webinar workshop to accommodate those stakeholders that cannot make any of the regional workshops.

Vancouver-based environmental group, Canopy, has launched a global campaign against paper packaging, claiming that three billion trees “disappear into packaging’’ every year leaving “a trail of deforestation, degraded forest systems, threatened species, and an increasingly volatile climate.” Strong words. But are they true? Not as far as Canada is concerned (and probably the US too). For a Vancouver-based group, Canopy is alarmingly ignorant of the packaging facts in Canada. Here’s one. Most of the paper packaging material made by Canadian mills is 100% recycled content! It’s not made (as Canopy claims) with the “habitat of endangered species such as orangutans or caribou.” There’s a lesson here for brand owners everywhere. We commend you for committing to environmental causes. But please, please do not allow yourselves to be publicly embarrassed by lending your names and credibility to the false and misleading claims such as Canopy makes above. Facts do matter.

Las Últimas Noticias (LUN), Chile’s highest-circulation newspaper, is the first newspaper in South America to achieve PEFC Chain of Custody certification. With a daily circulation of 100,000 copies and 64 pages per copy, LUN uses nearly 14 tons of paper per day. “Our commitment is to use certified paper that comes from sustainably managed forests, and at the same time to comply with PEFC’s social and environmental requirements,” said Oscar Vallejos, Operations Manager at LUN. While other newspapers and printers in Chile use PEFC-certified paper, LUN is the first to achieve PEFC Chain of Custody certification.

Project Learning Tree (PLT), the award-winning environmental education initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), has developed new supplementary education materials to help youth discover careers in sustainable forestry and conservation. Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers includes four hands-on instructional activities to help youth research different forest-sector jobs, and practice managing and monitoring forest resources. Anyone can use this resource with learners aged 12–25 in settings ranging from community youth programs and school classrooms, to college and career prep, to field trips and forest tours. PLT’s Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers unit is available through a PLT in-person professional development workshop offered by our network of state coordinators or can be purchased from Shop.plt.org. An online course is also being developed.

DS Smith Recycling, one of Europe’s largest paper and card recyclers, managing more than 5.5 million tonnes for recycling annually, signs new five-year contract with Co-op, the UK’s sixth biggest food retailer. he Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with more than 2,500 stores across the UK alone, committed to improving sustainability, and finding new ways to become more efficient. The partnership between The Co-op and DS Smith will see 56,000 tonnes of fibre processed in the UK annually at Kemsley Paper Mill, the second largest recovered fibre-based paper facility in Europe.

Irving Pulp and Paper (IPP) has been composting 100% of organic residuals since 2004 to create Biomass Ash which is used by farmers on their fields. This has resulted in a 96% waste diversion of waste from landfills. Irving Biomass Ash is a registered agricultural product under Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations. The ash is the by-product of green energy biomass boilers at three New Brunswick JDI locations: Irving Pulp & Paper in Saint John, and our sawmills - Grand Lake Timber in Chipman and Scierie Grande Rivière in Saint Leonard. As a result, IPP was able to reduce its total waste by 2,914 tonnes in 2018. Today, 96% of waste at IPP is being diverted from landfills because of reusing or recycling.

To mark European Paper Bag Day, PEFC and AB Group Packaging present the world's first PEFC-certified fully recyclable, biodegradable, 100% sustainable Reusable Paper Bag. Sustainable, forest-based packaging such as paper bags reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions and make a significant contribution to a more sustainable, circular economy. Carbon stored in wood fibres remains in the paper bags, and is not released during their life cycle. Paper bags are therefore sustainable and efficient packaging that contribute to fighting climate change and environmental pollution.

Resolute is pleased to support Sous les pavés, an initiative to transform paved urban areas across Quebec into green spaces by planting native plants, trees and shrubs. The initiative is led by the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre, an organization devoted to promoting sustainable urban policy and practices. Green spaces in cities and towns provide so many important environmental benefits, such as mitigating the effects of climate change. They produce oxygen, filter air pollutants and moderate heat, as well as absorb rainfall, help restore water cycles and reduce flood risk. They also provide local residents an opportunity to relax, exercise, socialize or simply appreciate nature.

In recent years, indigenous communities have made significant progress in securing acknowledgement of their human rights and the property rights for their land and their traditional knowledge. Forest certification has the potential to enhance this positive development and further the recognition of indigenous rights. The PEFC Sustainability Benchmarks require that areas fundamental to meeting the needs of indigenous peoples and local communities, such as health and subsistence, shall be protected or managed in a way that takes due regard of the significance of the site.

Two Sides North America is looking for a Director of Operations to take a leading role in the coordination and management of daily activities related to the Two Sides and Keep Me Posted campaigns in the U.S. and Canada which promote the attractiveness, sustainability and importance of paper and print in our daily lives. Details at: https://twosidesna.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2019/10/TS-Director-of-Operations-Oct.2019.pdf

The Navigator Company is the first Portuguese company – and one of the first worldwide – to take on the commitment of achieving carbon neutrality 15 years early, by giving all of its industrial complexes a net zero carbon footprint by 2035. In order to achieve this mission, Navigator announced today at its Sustainability Forum that it will be investing a total of €158 million. “It is with great pleasure that I address this Sustainability Forum and commend your dedication to the issue of climate change,” António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, wrote in a letter addressed to the event participants.

The forest sector, through its advancement of sustainably managed forests and forest-based products, has a significant role to play in the circular economy and can provide critical solutions for global…

In keeping with our clear commitment to sustainability, Lecta operates according to the highest environmental standards, guaranteeing innovative, safe and responsible products, the result of environment-friendly, responsible manufacturing processes. At a time of heightened awareness of the need to conserve natural resources and protect our planet, Lecta once again shares its success and progress in this area. This is the product of a long history of best practices, and significant investment in sustainable new technology and important environmental improvement projects at all our mills. In total, the company has invested more than 146 million euros over the last 10 years in this priority objective. This effort and commitment is reflected in the environmental indicators contained in the Environmental Report, the majority of which derive from each mill’s environmental declaration verified by an independent body prior to publication.

DS Smith, the leading sustainable packaging company, announces today that it is expanding its coffee cup recycling programme to Europe through its De Hoop Mill in the Netherlands. The launch, which follows a successful trial at the mill, aims to tackle the 4.5 billion disposable coffee cups currently used by coffee lovers in Benelux annually and stop them ending up in landfill or incineration. The recycler first introduced a bespoke recycling approach for cups at its Kemsley Paper Mill in the UK. As a result of efforts by DS Smith and others in the industry, coffee cup recycling has increased from 1 in 400 to 1 in 25 cups over the past two years in the UK1. It is determined to see an equally powerful impact in Europe, which is the largest market of coffee drinkers on the planet, representing 30% of the global coffee market.

Though no larger than mustard seeds, the fruit of the Brassica carinata plant carries huge promise for carbon-neutral traffic. The “bio” prefix in biofuels might suggest a straightforward option for mitigating climate change. But cultivating plants as feedstock for biofuels is not entirely unproblematic. Not all methods of crop cultivation are sustainable, or climate friendly. And, moreover, if fields are allocated for cultivating biofuel feedstock, will there be enough land left over for farming food crops to feed the ever-growing global population? These are among many complex issues coming under increased scrutiny as the menace of climate change looms larger. Brassica carinata, however, is a plant that seems perfect for the biofuels industry. The grain is unfit for human consumption, yet it contains oil that is highly suitable as raw material for biofuel. As carinata grows in winter outside the normal planting season, it can be sown in the same fields as summer food crops. However, only 30% of land is currently in productive use during winter with winter.

In 2018, FSC US began revising the US Forest Management Standard (v1.1), with an overall goal of maintaining continuity and consistency to the extent possible. The process is expected to continue into 2021. The objectives for the revision process include the following: •Align the US standard with the new FSC Principles & Criteria (Version 5), and International Generic Indicators (IGI). •Address a small number of high-priority issues identified by stakeholders. •Incorporate guidance that has been in use, but not formally adopted into the standard. •Complete editorial and grammatical clarifications.

PEFC invites stakeholders around the world to comment on the Vietnamese national system, following its submission to PEFC for endorsement. To give your feedback, head to our Online Consultation Tool. This is the first time that Vietnam has submitted its national forest certification system, marking an important step towards PEFC certification in the country. Make your comments now! The deadline is 25 November. The Viet Nam Forest Certification System (VFCS) joined the PEFC alliance in June earlier this year, becoming our 50th national member.

First time exhibitor Mid America Paper Recycling (booth 221) plans to showcase the benefits of an industry-first waste audit report and explain recycling best practices at the TAPPI CorrExpo, October 14-16 at the Denver Convention Center. One of the largest independent brokers, processors and exporters of recovered paper in the Central United States, Chicago-based MAPR has deep roots in the printing industry dating back to when it was founded in 1926. As large commercial printers and paperboard converters search for new methods to improve their revenue sources, MAPR’s experience in the recycling process can likely help them. “I felt our decision to exhibit at TAPPI CorrExpo for the first time this year was a natural. We have been working with paper industry and corrugated users for years,” said Paul Pirkle, who joined Mid America Paper Recycling as president last year.

Sustainable development is usually described as encompassing three main pillars: Environmental, social, and economic. But there are other important dimensions that need to be addressed. “Sustainability is about much more than just the environmental, social and economic dimensions. It is also about the dimensions of space and time, both of which need to be addressed for sustainable development to make a real difference on the ground,” said Thorsten Arndt, Head of Communications at PEFC International, at the 2nd International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “The dimension of space means that we have to translate our global understanding of sustainable development into the local context and address the unique local framework conditions, which are different from country to country,” Mr. Arndt explained. “The dimension of time takes into account that our understanding and our expectations of sustainability change over time, so we need to adapt it on a regular basis,” he continued.

At Gap Inc., we’re on track to achieve 100% renewable energy across our globally owned and operated facilities by 2030. Check out this snapshot of how we’re putting into action our commitment to protecting the environment for the safety and wellbeing of families and communities for future generations. For even more, read our just-released 2018 Global Sustainability report. For details go to: https://www.gapincsustainability.com/sites/default/files/Gap%20Inc%20Report%202018.pdf

In conjunction with the start of National Forest Week, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) announced that the Forest Management Wetland Stewardship Initiative (FMWSI) would be renewed for a second three-year term. FMWSI is a unique partnership between DUC and Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc., Canfor, the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), Millar Western Forest Products Ltd., Tolko Industries Ltd., West Fraser, and Weyerhaeuser Company. The initiative grew out of a shared desire among partners to pool resources and tools, to advance wetland stewardship in the working forests of Canada’s boreal region. In its first term, FMWSI focused on addressing knowledge gaps in the industry by developing guiding principles and best management practices for forest practitioners operating in or near wetlands. Now complete, these resources are available for free download or purchase from the DUC website. The second term will build on the accomplishments of the first, with a greater emphasis on knowledge transfer.

UPM Raflatac’s Biofore Site™ concept engages factory employees and fosters a culture of sustainability in line with UPM’s 2030 responsibility targets. For many years, UPM Raflatac factories have operated ISO 14001-compliant, third-party certified environmental management systems to ensure continual environmental performance improvement. The Biofore Site™ concept expands on this foundation by including economic and social aspects. Since the 2017 pilot, each factory has created a unique path to improve its scorecard performance. A multi-parameter Biofore Site scorecard based on UN Sustainable Development Goals is used to monitor each factory’s progress.

Stormwater runoff is the rain the doesn't soak into the ground and picks up pollutants as it passes down the roofs of homes and buildings, through the gutters, across the ground and into storm drain inlets. Unfortunately, this stormwater runoff does not go to a waste-water treatment plant and can end up in local creeks and rivers. The various pollutants that can be picked up along the way can include metals, oils, chemicals and bacteria. Stormwater runoff is a leading cause of water pollution. What Can You Do? While we certainly can't stop the rain from falling, we can recognize and prevent stormwater pollution to protect ourselves and our wildlife. One excellent rule of thumb is, “If you wouldn't want to swim in, don't put it in the drain.” Here are a few other ways to prevent stormwater pollution: •Dispose of and store trash and chemicals properly. Some of the most popular items that can be stored or disposed of the wrong way are: paint, garbage, mislabeled containers, uncovered chemicals, detergent, leaves and medications. •Never apply pesticides immediately before rain is forecasted and try using organic rather than synthetic fertilizers. •Recycle motor oil and maintain your vehicle to prevent leaks. •Place rocks or shrubs across a slope to interrupt water as it flows downhill. •Remove visible debris from draims. •Don’t empty ashtrays in parking lots or other areas besides their proper containers.

Carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced, and more carbon must be captured. Fossil raw materials must be replaced with renewables, and biodiversity must be fostered as a prerequisite for all life. As the world’s most important ecosystem, forests play an important role in all this. PEFC forest certification ensures that forests are managed and used sustainably. PEFC stands for the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. Its purpose is to ensure ecologically, socially and economically sustainable forest management and use. Globally, more than 60% of all certified forest hectares are certified in accordance with the PEFC. The PEFC requires profitable and socially sustainable forestry to maintain forests’ biodiversity and cultural and recreational value. PEFC forest certification sets stricter sustainability criteria for forest management than legislation, which determines the national minimum requirements. In Finland, the first Forest Act came into effect as early as 1886. Today, for example, the Forest Act still requires that the growth of a new generation of trees is ensured by planting new seedlings.

Chicago-based Mid America Paper Recycling, one of the largest independent brokers, processors and exporters of recovered paper in the Central U.S., is launching an initiative focused on tracking and increasing the value of the recycling waste streams generated by large commercial printers and paperboard converters. “The folding carton industry, for example, shipped about 5 million tons of product last year,” says Paul Pirkle, president of Mid America Paper Recycling. “We work closely with these operators and all companies that recycle waste paper to create a continuous improvement process that helps them identify where waste is generated, establish key collection procedures, and set objectives that will continually improve their waste stream’s revenue contribution to the business.” According to Mid America executives, the manufacturing operations of a typical paper or containerboard plant can generate thousands of tons of preconsumer, high-grade recyclable paper, production trim waste and paperboard waste annually, which in turn, can generate significant revenues for the company.

As an iconic Silicon Valley company, HP has long been a leader in its sector. This leadership is apparent in the company’s commitment to responsible use of forest products, including its long-standing preference for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified materials. The company released its first sustainable paper and wood policy in 2008, which set it on a course focused on support for responsible forest management, increased materials efficiency, waste reduction, low carbon production, and protection of human rights. HP further solidified its commitment to responsible forest management when it became a member of Forest Stewardship Council in 2011. In 2016, HP announced its commitment to achieve zero deforestation in its HP brand paper, packaging and wood use, stating a preference for FSC certification. At the time, HP set a goal of at least 50% of HP brand paper as FSC certified or post-consumer recycled by 2020.

The woods in our lives have never played such an important role as it they do today. From their natural beauty, to their functional strength, to their ability as nature’s air and water filters. They help with the air we breathe, habitat for plants and animals, the trails we enjoy with family and friends, and clean water. Our foresters understand the importance of a healthy forest, it's our passion and our business. They understand that to have a healthy diverse forest, all the parts of the forest must also be healthy. We use advanced technology to ensure even the smallest streams and wetlands are identified and protected. The technology we use, LiDAR provides us with a digital 3D model of the forest floor and is accurate within 3 cm. This allows us to locate small streams and wetlands so we can ensure protection of them in the working forest.

As a big consumer of imported materials, Singapore is being encouraged to become a centre of influence, committed to responsible procurement from the Asian region’s forests and plantations. This was the message from Ben Gunneberg, PEFC International CEO, speaking at a Roundtable and Lunch at Grand Copthorne Hotel on 19 September. The event was attended by 50 representatives from government agencies, think tanks, industry bodies, certification bodies, private sector companies and media. It also marked the launch of PEFC’s Chain of Custody certification scheme, now recognised by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC), which is managed by Enterprise Singapore.

Today, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Global Optimism announced The Climate Pledge, a commitment to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early. Amazon today becomes the first signatory of this pledge. The Climate Pledge calls on signatories to be net-zero carbon across their businesses by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Accord’s goal of 2050.

A new study shows that, contrary to widespread belief within the solar power industry, new kinds of solar cells and panels don’t necessarily have to last for 25 to 30 years in order to be economically viable in today’s market.

The pulp, paper and print industry is one of the lowest contributing industrial sectors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at only 1% of emissions worldwide,[1] but consumers don’t know it. A recent consumer survey commissioned by Two Sides showed a disconnect between consumer perceptions and the facts about the industry’s impact on global GHG emissions.[2] The survey showed that 29% of Americans believe that paper production is a major contributor to global GHG emissions. However, the U.S. pulp and paper sector is one of the lowest emitters of GHG emissions among major U.S. industrial sectors at 1.2% of total U.S. industrial GHG emissions (Figure 1).[3]

Today in Ottawa, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) launched its Forestry for the Future campaign as it works to put issues facing Canada’s forestry workers and communities front and center for federal election candidates across the country.

FI’s vision is a world that values and benefits from sustainably managed forests. The SFI Annual Conference brings together thought leaders and influencers to learn about the opportunities that forests provide — from helping consumers identify sustainably sourced products, to conservation benefits on certified lands, to economic opportunities for local communities, to how students can become forest stewards.

American Forest & Paper Association Executive Director of Packaging Terry Webber issued the following statement regarding California recycling legislation (SB 54 and AB 1080) which failed to advance in the 2019 state legislative session: “The American Forest & Paper Association is pleased SB 54 and AB 1080 will not advance out of California’s 2019 legislative session. While we agreed with the goals of the legislation to support recycling and reduce waste, it is not ready to become law. These bills would have created an unrealistic regulatory framework for an implementing agency already facing challenges fixing troubled recycling programs.

June 1992 was a month I will never forget: the Danish people voted no to the EU Maastricht Treaty, Denmark won the European football championship for the first and only time and I took part in the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a member of the Danish government delegation. A unique month!

American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of finalization for step one of the Waters of the United States repeal rule. “Paper and wood products manufacturers welcome EPA’s move to provide certainty around the implementation of Clean Water Act regulations across the United States. Stakeholders, including forest products manufacturers and state and local governments, deserve clarity as they work to ensure our nation’s waters are clean. As one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation with a successful record of implementing sustainable manufacturing principles, we consider EPA’s action a step in the right direction for the environment, economic growth and job creation.”

Certification demonstrates responsible forest management, and key to its success are companies along the supply chain sourcing, manufacturing, and selling sustainably-sourced materials and products. Forest certification does not stop at the forest gate, its true potential comes to live through the commitment of companies procuring certified material. In turn, these companies benefit from expanded access to international markets with a preference for certified products. This was one of the key take-aways from the workshop “VFCS/PEFC certification for timber and non-timber forestry products: Opportunities and actions for enterprises”, which took place at the end of August in the Binh Duong province in Vietnam.

California lawmakers recently rejected a bill meant to ban paper receipts. The proposal would have required businesses to ask customers if they wanted a paper receipt before printing one, and businesses would have been forbidden to print coupons or advertisements on receipts unless requested by the customer. Assembly Bill 161 by Assemblymember Phil Ting of San Francisco stalled in the state’s Senate Appropriations Committee as the legislature pared bills before the final two weeks of the session. Advocates of the California bill to ban paper receipts, dubbed Skip the Slip, suggested it would reduce paper waste in the state. The bill initially would have required businesses to provide customers electronic receipts unless a paper printout was requested. After an outcry about privacy concerns related to digital receipts and what it would cost small businesses to use new payment software, that provision was dropped. The move to ban paper receipts also faced strong opposition from the California Restaurant Association and the California Retailers Association.

Sonoco announced it has been awarded the How2Recycle®’s (H2R) “Check Locally Recyclable” status for its paper-bottom EcoSeal™ rigid paper container. This marks an exciting milestone as the Company continues to make strides in creating more sustainable packaging. The EcoSeal paperboard container joins Sonoco’s growing EnviroSense™ family of sustainable packaging. To meet our internal EnviroSense standards, Sonoco considers multiple attributes related to sustainability. The EcoSeal paperboard container is recyclable, uses recycled content, meets responsible fiber sourcing guidelines, and includes bio-based material. As shoppers grow increasingly aware of their environmental impact, they’re looking for natural and sustainable products and packaging. According to Mintel, close to 40% of consumers agree how ethical, environmentally friendly and socially responsible a product is often influences their product choice.

DS Smith has announced it has been granted funding from Hubbub’s #TheCupFund initiative, the UK’s largest grant fund to support ambitious projects that boost paper cup recycling across the UK. DS Smith’s Coffee Cup Drop Box is the only national scheme to have been chosen as part of the initiative. The grant will support the roll-out of DS Smith’s specially designed Coffee Cup Drop Box scheme, in partnership with Associated Vending Services (AVS). Each box holds around 700 cups and once full is collected by Royal Mail and returned to DS Smith’s paper mill in Kemsley, the UK’s largest, to be recycled back into new paper packaging products. As part of the development of the Coffee Cup Drop box DS Smith partnered with AVS to trial the service with its members. AVS members operate tens of thousands of vending machines at locations throughout the UK.

MRF operators, brokers and others recently discussed why fiber is still “the elephant in the room” in municipal recycling conversations. During a recovered fiber session at the 2019 Resource Recycling Conference and Trade Show in New Orleans, stakeholders from throughout the paper recycling sector discussed where the market is and where it’s headed. Fiber is the “elephant in the room” as far as the value of the residential mix that municipalities receive, said Dave Claugus, vice president of Pacific Northwest MRF operator Pioneer Recycling Services. Paper is the “main event” at a MRF, said Claugus. In the Pacific Northwest, paper makes up 75% of the material that comes onto the tip floor Monday through Friday. “That means that paper moves the price of whatever the processor can pay or needs to charge the municipality,” Claugus said. For example, if paper moves by $10 per ton, it is going to influence the combined value of recyclables by $7.50 per ton. If PET moves by $10 per ton, on the other hand, that would influence the combined value of the recycling stream by just 25 cents per ton due to its smaller volume in the stream.

Small- and family forest owners – the little guys – are important stewards of the world’s forests. From our very beginnings, we have had their needs at heart. All over the world, smallholders are managing their forests sustainably, yet certification remains out of their reach – simply because they don’t have the means to obtain it. PEFC was founded by small- and family forest owners, and from early on, we were aware that the costs and procedures of forest certification can be a significant obstacle for them. While we never compromised on sustainability – our requirements must be met by everyone, independent of size – we wanted PEFC certification to be attainable for all forest owners, including those with limited financial means. The solution is group certification, a mechanism we established almost twenty years ago. It allows smallholders to organize themselves in groups and pool their resources to achieve certification.

Stora Enso will be the presenting sponsor for FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2021 in Oberstdorf, Germany. The sponsorship builds on the experiences from previous ski championships to contribute to the sustainability and circularity of a large-scale sports event. The company will showcase its renewable and recyclable solutions in numerous applications. Throughout the event, Stora Enso will increase awareness of the benefits of renewable products and innovations together with the Oberstdorf local organising committee. Stora Enso’s products made from wood fiber provide a climate-friendly and lower carbon alternative to many products made from fossil-based materials. During the World Ski Championships, a variety of products based on renewable raw materials will be available at the event, such as wood for temporary buildings and carton board for packaging.

The benefits of wood construction include the material’s lightness and fast construction. The most relevant aspect where climate change is concerned, however, is the unique ability of wood structures to store carbon in themselves for their entire life-cycle. For example, an average Finnish single-family house built from wood stores roughly 30 tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide within its wooden structures. This is equal to the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the average miles driven by one person over a period of 10 years. The biggest growth opportunities of wood use lie in industrial construction, as well as in the construction of additional floors onto existing buildings and renovating them. By increasing the use of wood, we can considerably reduce the consumption of non-renewable natural resources and construction’s carbon dioxide emissions. “Forest industry products play an important role in the mitigation of climate change. Every wood structure stores carbon, some for as long as hundreds of years. We must move from the fossil economy towards a resource-smart bioeconomy, and increasing the volume of wood construction is one of the essential ways of doing this,” says Juha Laine, SVP, Communications of Metsä Group.

Burton will be joining millions of students and workers across the world participating in the Global Climate Strike on Fri., Sept. 20, according to a press release sent to Total Retail. To support the marches that will take place, Burton will close all its offices and stores for 24 hours so employees worldwide can join nearby marches meant to raise awareness and demand action. The retailer's e-commerce site will also be closed on Sept. 20th to online orders, and will instead redirect to the Global Climate Strike homepage to build awareness for the cause. Though Burton's offices will be closed, employees will receive paid time off to join strikes in their regions. Burton's flagship stores will be open to the public as gathering spaces before and after nearby matches, but cash registers will be closed. The retailer will have supplies on hand for making signs for the strike.

UPS announced Suzanne Lindsay-Walker has been named UPS chief sustainability officer (CSO) and vice president of environmental affairs. In this role, she succeeds Tamara Barker, a 32-year UPS veteran who recently retired. Lindsay-Walker will be responsible for policies and programs to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, as well as overseeing the attainment of UPS’s sustainability goals to reduce the use of carbon-based fuels. “The project engineering experience and sustainability knowledge Suzanne brings to the UPS team is impressive,” said Rhonda Clark, president, corporate plant engineering, UPS. “She has held important leadership roles at three other widely recognized brands – creating and leading their sustainability programs, designing commercial facilities and fostering customer and employee engagement. We are excited to have Suzanne at UPS helping us continue to make progress on UPS’s 2020 and 2025 sustainability goals.”

Kerry Cesareo, senior vice president for forests, leads a portfolio of strategic forest management initiatives in pursuit of World Wildlife Fund’s goal to conserve the world’s most important forests, including the rainforests in the Amazon, which have drawn public attention because of widespread fires. (Note to readers: Domtar uses only wood harvested from managed forests in North America. We do not procure any wood from Brazil.) World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiatives include using an innovative financial model to ensure protected forest areas are properly managed, and combining policy and market-based interventions to address unsustainable agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure development in key landscapes. Cesareo previously led WWF’s forest markets work, launching the North American arm of the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) and forging partnerships with Fortune 500 companies on environmentally responsible supply chains for wood and paper products. She recently answered questions from the Outside Voice team about global forest management:

Last year, PEFC revolutionized forest certification by moving it out of the forest. Now, people and organizations owning or managing trees growing outside of forests can achieve PEFC certification of their sustainable management practices. This is a big leap forward. But what does it really mean on the ground? Trees outside forests are immensely important for rural communities around the world. Millions of people rely on this resource to provide them with food, materials and their livelihoods. If managed sustainably, they can contribute to rural development, food security and reduced poverty – vital Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We find these trees throughout landscapes, from scattered on farms and settlement land, to growing in hedgerows and alongside fields. Often, trees are just one of many crops grown by a farmer or a community.

BillerudKorsnäs Sustainability Director Malin Ljung Eiborn will on the 1st of October take place in the Executive Leadership Team of BillerudKorsnäs. Sustainability thus becomes a separate function at group level instead of, as previously, part of the communication department. In BillerudKorsnäs, supplier of sustainable packaging materials and solutions, sustainability is integrated in the business. The company's purpose “we challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future” becomes even clearer when the group wide responsibility now becomes part of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). "Sustainability is today at the heart of our business. We will continue to take the lead and to include sustainability in the ELT as its own group function therefore feels natural. The fact that Malin in her relatively short time in the company has already contributed strongly to our development made including here in the ELT an easy decision to take", says Petra Einarsson President and CEO.

Clearly, the number one priority in the global Amazon crisis is to put out the fires in Brazil and Bolivia. But once this is done, what should we do? Will the placement of military forces for an indefinite period solve the problem? While this form of command and control action is important, FSC believes it will not be enough to end deforestation. FSC believes that part of the solution is sustainable forest management. Another important piece in the puzzle is the implementation of an integrated holistic action plan that involves the Brazilian Ministries of Environment or Agriculture and includes all sectors and levels of government and civil society in the debate.

Get informed about the sustainability of print and paper! We’ve added our latest two fact sheets to our website, addressing key environmental topics. Download them by clicking the links below. Electronic Communication - As global demand for resources continues to grow, a sustainable future will depend heavily on the use of products that are highly recyclable and based on renewable materials and energy, as opposed to non-renewable materials produced with fossil fuel energy. Paper is well positioned given its unique sustainable features. “Go paperless, go green” is a common claim that encourages us to switch to electronic transactions and communications. But are appeals to help the environment by eliminating paper based on sound science or on marketing strategies? The responsible manufacture, use and recycling of print and paper contribute to long-term, sustainable forest management in North America and help mitigate climate change. Print and paper will remain an important element in our media mix, and will also continue to provide social and economic benefits that contribute significantly to the well-being of North American businesses and citizens alike.

The biological treatment plant at Obbola paper mill cleans the mills’ waste water before it’s released to the river. The purification is made in several stages where, among other things, suspended material (particles such as fibre residues, oxygen-consuming substances and biological sludge) is purified. Last year, an improvement project was initiated with the aim of improving the purification in the biological treatment plant. The factory had experienced interruptions in the plant and risked not being able to meet the emission conditions for the next years, if no measures were taken. A cross-functional team worked intensively for 12 weeks to collect data to be able to investigate the root cause of the disruptions at the plant. A number of measures were taken.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) committed in its latest annual progress report to continue advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations by maximizing its efforts in standards, conservation, education, and community. SFI’s 2019 report, entitled “Forests of Opportunity”, recounts the organization’s accomplishments encouraging and certifying the latest best practices in sustainable forest management with all its partners in Canada and the U.S. The report reflects the organization’s belief in the wealth of possibilities for economic growth, job‑creation and community building available by taking advantage of the values, goods and services provided by sustainably managed forests and sustainably sourced forest products. “Forests provide an opportunity to maintain and recover biodiversity and sustain a variety of conservation values, including clean water,” Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI said in the foreword to the 2019 report. “But to seize these opportunities, forests must be sustainably managed and forest products must be responsibly sourced.”

An estimated 32% of all plastic ends up being dumped after just one use, reveals the 2016 New Plastics Economy report. The EU ban on single-use plastics will take effect in 2021. New, tougher requirements will also be introduced for producers of other plastic product categories. “The much-touted new legislation on single-use plastic products will not solve the huge recycling dilemma. Plastics are already a highly regulated product group. They have to be produced using REACH-compliant chemicals, and there is a staggering amount of legislation on recycling. If the EU directives on packaging were fully implemented in all European countries, there would be no need to dump any plastic at all at landfills,” says Vesa Kärhä, CEO of the Finnish Plastics Industries Federation. In Finland, the collection and recycling of consumer plastics is off to a slow start, but gradually catching up with Europe’s leaders, Switzerland and Sweden. “When you look at Europe’s leading recyclers, they have all observed a total ban on landfilling for a long time. In other words, they have totally outlawed a cheap landfill solution. The European plastic industry recommends the same, too. Naturally, it has to be carried out in a way that gives operators enough time to figure out what can be done about the issue. Recycling and energy plants have to be available,” Kärhä notes.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. announced that it has become a participant of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate citizenship and sustainability initiative. The company also announced its new sustainability targets through 2025. Key goals include: •Responsibly sourcing materials with sustainable processes or from recycled fibers by 2025, including cotton, polyester, viscose, wool, down and linen •Driving 30 percent water reduction in denim (the company’s highest volume material) production by 2022 •Partnering with its vendor partners on training programs, including human trafficking prevention and health & wellbeing, and capacity building to support the training of 75,000 additional workers by 2022.

Our Outside Voice series highlights the perspectives of stakeholders and leaders on important sustainability topics, such as sustainability reporting. On the particulars, we may not always agree. But we believe in hearing and learning from others who offer valuable insights and a different point of view on issues that are important to us all. Mike Wallace, a partner at BrownFlynn, an ERM Group company, is an internationally recognized expert in sustainability with more than 20 years of experience advising corporations, nonprofits and government agencies on sustainability programs. He’s also interim executive director of the Social and Human Capital Coalition, a global collaboration that helps companies recognize, measure and value the importance of people and communities. Previously, he was a director at the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Wallace recently spoke with our Outside Voice team about the evolution of sustainability reporting, new areas of interest for stakeholders and the benefits of transparency to both publicly traded and privately owned companies.

At PEFC, key decisions are not made by one person alone. We ensure that decision-making is done through consensus-driven processes that involve a wide range of parties, and that no single stakeholder or stakeholder group can become too powerful. While the General Assembly, our multi-stakeholder governance body, has the final say on decisive issues, our Board of Directors has an important role to play in support of it. The Board comprises the Chairperson of PEFC International, two Vice-Chairs and two to twelve Board members elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term. From the beginning, the diversity and equal representation of different groups was fundamental for the composition of the Board, as engraved in the original 1999 PEFC statutes:

Sustainability and legality initiatives such as PEFC forest certification and FLEGT VPA are increasingly running parallel in many Asian tropical countries. However, there is still limited coordination between these initiatives within the same country as well as among nation states. Ensuring meaningful coordination and synergies between these initiatives was amongst the key messages promoted at Asia-Pacific Forestry Week 2019 (APFW). The topic was delivered through the PEFC International APFW joint-event 'Development of synergies between PEFC and other initiatives such as FLEGT, utilizing experience in ASEAN'.

The paper and wood products industry uses renewable and recyclable resources to manufacture products that makes people’s lives better. Printing-writing papers, paper-based packaging, pulp, tissue and wood products play significant roles in everyday life by meeting needs for information, product protection, hygiene, housing and more. The manufacture of our industry’s products is customer and market driven. As the global population grows and impacts production and consumption, increasing circularity in our economy would build resilience, generate new business opportunities and provide economic, environmental and social benefits. The paper and wood products industry’s efforts to promote sustainable forest management, do more with less in the manufacturing process and recover products for recycling form the foundation of our contributions to the circular economy.

The federal government is not committing to an environmental assessment of Northern Pulp's plans to pump treated effluent from their plant into the Northumberland Strait. "We're still evaluating whether a federal assessment is necessary," Catherine McKenna, federal minister responsible for environment and climate change told Island Morning host Mitch Cormier. There have been calls from fishermen and First Nations in Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and New Brunswick for a federal assessment on Northern Pulp's plan to pump treated effluent into the Northumberland Strait. The King government is also calling for Ottawa to show strong leadership on the issue. McKenna said she has received those letters from parties worried about effluent potentially being pumped into the Northumberland Strait.

Imagine walking out of work for some fresh air and seeing a couple of bees flying around and then looking up to see a massive hive containing thousands of them. That's exactly what happened to an employee at our Green Bay Broadway mill. After it was reported, the first call was made to pest control to get rid of it. Once pest control identified the species of the bees, it was determined that it would be extremely valuable to the environment to relocate them vs. exterminating them. It turns out that the hive contained over 14,000 bees! Rescuing a swarm can be a difficult process but thankfully the Brown County Beekeepers Association was able to come rescue the swarm. Swarms can be captured in a variety of ways. In this case, the honeybees were removed by using a shop vac and a carrier. Yes, you read that right, the honeybees were vacuumed straight into the carrier that they needed to be transported in—surprisingly, it's a very safe process for the bees.

Our governance is bottom up, which means it is our members who make the key decisions through a balanced voting system. This enables us to build on our national members’ local expertise, complemented by the experiences of internationally active organizations. This unique structure allows for ethical and responsible decision-making that incorporates the combined experiences and knowledge of all stakeholders at national and international levels, including individuals on the ground as they are represented through our national members. Our commitment to participation, democracy and equity is a critical and central element within the governance of our organization. We have three decision-making bodies: the General Assembly, the PEFC International Board and the Secretary General.

Two Sides are pleased to announce the release of their tenth edition of the hugely popular Myths & Facts booklet. The A5 booklet has had a redesign and is filled with up to dates facts and figures regarding the print and paper industry. The Myths & Facts booklet has always been a popular resource for Two Sides members helping to dispel the common misconceptions surrounding the industry making it a great tool for promoting the great environmental story print and paper has to tell. The myths covered include: •European forests are shrinking •Paper is a wasteful product •Paper is bad for the environment •Only recycled paper should be used •Paper production is a major cause of global greenhouse gas emissions •Paper production consumes an excessive amount of water •Electronic communication is better for the environment than paper-based communication •Digital is the preferred means of communication.

Renewable biofuels and plywood offer solid solutions for green transport – without requiring costly investment in new cars or fuel distribution systems. The challenges presented by climate change are a source of deep concern and fierce debate across the globe. The need for decisive action is glaringly visible especially in transport, which is currently a main source of carbon dioxide emissions. In Finland, one fifth of carbon dioxide emissions derive from the transportation sector, 90% of which are caused by road traffic. The Nordic country aims to halve transport greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has calculated that this can goal could be achieved if 30% of all transport fuel were renewable biofuel, and if fossil-based vehicles were to be replaced by 250,000 electric cars and 50,000 biogas cars.

Evergreen Packaging Partners with The Rainforest Alliance, Forest Stewardship Council, and a Consortium of Forward-minded Forestry Corporations to Launch the Smallholder Access Program. Project is designed to protect forests and increase forest certification for smaller woodlands. Evergreen Packaging® is proud to be a founding participant in the Smallholder Access Program (SAP) led by The Rainforest Alliance and the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®-C016043). FSC, supports ecologically responsible, socially conscious forest management, and has worked to transform forestry practices globally for nearly 30 years through rigorous, science-based standards and a third-party certification system. Building off this experience, the Smallholder Access Program (SAP) is a two-year FSC pilot project designed to increase access to forest certification for woodland owners under 250 acres (100 hectares). The SAP will be available to landowners across Southern and Central Appalachia, encompassing parts of Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Nearly 60 percent of the forestland in this region is privately owned, representing a critical resource for the forest products industry.

The scientific community has long since agreed that climate change really is happening and worsening, and that it has been caused by human actions. For example, 89% of Finns consider climate change a serious issue. At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, 195 countries committed to the scientific community’s assessment and signed an agreement that aims to limit global warming to 2°C. To reach this goal, countries will have to reduce CO₂ emissions by 45%, compared to the 2010 levels, by 2030. The change is significant — but the current commitments made by the countries are not enough. The carbon budget calculated for the next hundred years for the earth will run out even if all countries that signed the agreement reach their goals on time or even exceeded them.

We are delighted to present the first two shortlisted projects for the World Architecture Festival’s (WAF) Best Use of Certified Timber Prize, supported by PEFC: A forest tower in Denmark that invites visitors to discover the forest from above, and an airport in the Philippines, whose timber roof makes it both inviting and earthquake-resistant. Camp Adventure Forest Tower is a helical observation tower that invites visitors to climb up above the treetops of the PEFC-certified Gisselfeld Klosters Forest in Denmark. The 45-metre-tall tower forms the culmination of a 900-metre-long boardwalk through the forest, and offers visitors a 360-degree view over the trees, hills, lakes and meadows that make up the natural landscape. Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the second largest airport in the Philippines, has received a new terminal 2, with a gigantic roof made of PEFC-certified timber. The concept for the terminal was inspired by the local climate, materiality, feel, arts, crafts and industrial skills.

Driven by a passion for wildlife and a desire to leave a different kind of legacy, the Johnsonburg Mill found a perfect use for the nutrient-rich byproducts of the paper manufacturing process. Our land restoration efforts are bringing new life to the natural spaces in our Pennsylvania community. We converted both of the Johnsonburg Mill’s power boilers from coal to gas in late 2016, but our mill has a long history of helping to restore the land from which we once sourced fuel. For more than 20 years, Johnsonburg Mill has been using organic and nutrient-rich wastewater treatment residuals and acid-balancing lime residuals to rejuvenate old mine sites. The benefits of our land restoration efforts are wide-reaching: •We’ve helped improve regional water quality by more effectively treating acid mine drainage. •We’ve recreated the right environment for lush vegetation to grow, providing valuable food and cover for wildlife. •We’ve found a long-term, cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to divert more than 95 percent of the mill’s byproducts from the landfill to more beneficial uses.

PEFC is much more than just the secretariat in Geneva. We are an alliance of national forest certification systems, NGOs, labour unions, businesses, trade associations, forest owner organizations and committed individuals. Together, we work towards our vision of a world that values the contribution of sustainable forests to our planet and our lives. Our members are a vital part of the PEFC alliance. From the 12 founding members, to the current 81 members (51 national and 30 international stakeholder members), representing several hundred national stakeholder groups, we have grown and become global. But how have we got to this point – and how has it changed the very nature of PEFC?

Last year, McDonald's made headlines after it announced that it would be pulling plastic straws from all of its UK locations and replacing them with paper straws. The decision was praised by politicians and environmentalists. Then-environment secretary Michael Gove said it marked a "significant contribution" to helping the environment and that McDonald's was setting "a fine example to other large businesses." But it turns out these straws are not actually so eco-friendly. In fact, unlike their plastic equivalents, they are completely unrecyclable. "While the materials are recyclable, their current thickness makes it difficult for them to be processed by our waste solution providers, who also help us recycle our paper cups," a McDonald's spokesman told the UK's Press Association news agency.

Hearst UK, publisher of Cosmopolitan, Esquire and Good Housekeeping magazines, has pledged to replace plastic bags with paper wraps on all of its subscriber copies within six months. The change will apply across the magazine publisher’s 25 brands, which also include Harper’s Bazaar, Men’s Health, Elle and Red, on copies delivered to subscribers’ doorsteps. Hearst UK is the latest publisher to make the change, with the Guardian and Observer, FT, Times titles and Country Life magazine having all swapped out plastic wrappings for something more sustainable.