Unpacking Continuously High Paper Recycling Rates

The forest industry – and its place in sustainable living – took a pivotal role at the 10th Making Cities Liveable Conference in Brisbane, Australia, last month. “Forestry is the oldest and best example of sustainable planning,” said Simon Dorries, CEO of Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). AFS, the PEFC national member for Australia, held an exhibit at the conference, explaining certification systems, chain of custody programs and forest management practices to delegates. Click Read More below for additional details.

Smurfit Kappa, a global leader in sustainable packaging, and the print and paper advocacy association, Two Sides, fully support the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) as part of Europe’s Green Deal objectives. The legislation faces a crucial moment at the EU Council of Environmental Ministers on 18 December. The Council will have to decide whether it supports the European Parliament in acknowledging that both reuse and recycling systems go hand in hand in the interest of a greener Europe. The European cardboard industry has had, for decades, the best recycling system of all packaging materials. Total corrugated cardboard production in the EU is more than 30 million tonnes per year out of which over 90 per cent is recycled. A cardboard box can be recycled up to 25 times making it the most recycled packaging material in Europe. And when it isn’t, it’s still 100% biodegradable which means it disappears in nature within four months unlike other non-recyclable materials.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the French Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 21 September. Give your feedback. PEFC France revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The French system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement.