Regional Forest Stewardship Standard for Smallholders in Indonesia approved

SEE, ExxonMobil, and Ahold Delhaize USA announced their collaboration on an advanced recycling initiative, the first of its kind in the U.S. The project recycles flexible plastics from the food supply chain and remakes them into new, certified circular food-grade packaging. The initiative is expected to begin this summer and scale over time. “We’re proud to work with SEE and ExxonMobil on this collaboration, which has the potential to radically change the way retailers and manufacturers leverage food-grade recycled plastics as a key means of keeping plastics out of landfills,” said Brittni Furrow, VP, Health & Sustainability, Ahold Delhaize USA. “We’re eager to learn from this work and apply the learnings to advance our own plastics ambitions, but also advance these efforts broadly, helping to ensure a better tomorrow for our planet.” A critical challenge facing the food industry is driving a circular economy for plastics using packaging materials that have strict hygiene and performance requirements for food protection and distribution. Recovering these essential packaging materials requires innovative recycling solutions beyond traditional mechanical recycling.

As part of the commitments laid out in its Twentyby30™ sustainability program to help advance responsible supply chains, Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com) has expanded its Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certifications into the Asia Pacific region. The Company's Nong Khae and Crown TCP beverage packaging plants in Thailand were recently awarded the ASI Performance Standard certification, bringing the total facilities in Crown's network with the designation to 12. Crown's operations in Brazil and Mexico have also achieved ASI Performance Standard certification. The ASI Performance Standard addresses environmental, social and governance principles for the aluminum value chain, confirming the recipient's production practices are responsible. Beyond meeting the required criteria as part of an independent, third-party audit, the recent certifications in Thailand can be linked to advancing employee training around biodiversity, safety and human rights.

Representatives of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Northwest Pulp & Paper Association (NWPPA) and Oregon Forest & Industries Council (OFIC) are partnering to host today’s Forest Products Advocacy Day in Salem, Oregon. In meetings with legislators, they plan to highlight industry sustainability successes, including current greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and the recently-announced goal, and discuss upcoming legislation. Following the success of GHG emission reductions by member companies, AF&PA has announced its new GHG reduction goal of 20 percent by the year 2020. In 2014, sustainable manufacturing practices under the association’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative led to a 16 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by member facilities, surpassing the previous 15 percent reduction goal ahead of schedule. In meetings with Oregon state lawmakers, they will discuss how any legislation to regulate or tax GHG emissions should account for industry leadership on emissions reductions. click Read More below for additional detail