G-P Increases Forest Protection, Expands Sustainable Forestry
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Georgia-Pacific LLC, Atlanta, Ga., USA, reported this week that it will expand its forest protection and sustainability efforts with an updated policy to better identify and protect endangered forests in the U.S., promote conservation of forest diversity, and enhance its sustainable forestry and recycling practices. The policy update is the result of ongoing discussions with customers and suppliers, and several years of consultation with a number of environmental organizations, including the Rainforest Action Network, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Dogwood Alliance, G-P notes. In addition, the group worked with Liz Kramer, Ph.D, from the University of Georgia, to develop the scientific methodology that is a focus of the updated policy.
"This policy continues our commitment to sustainability in the fiber we source and the products we make," said Jim Hannan, G-P CEO and president. "We continue to believe it is possible to operate in a way that is environmentally responsible and also economically sound. This policy also gives us the opportunity to address issues of increasing interest to our customers and to consumers."
Key provisions of the updated policy include:
- Work collaboratively to help define and map endangered forests and special areas where the company will not source fiber
- Encourage the conservation of natural hardwood forests through measures to evaluate the existing level of natural hardwood forest, and not promoting future conversion of such forests to pine plantations
- Continue to not source fiber from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, until roadless areas identified in the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule are permanently protected
- Continue requiring loggers to use both mandatory and voluntary state forestry best management practices
- Continue certification of the company's wood and fiber procurement practices
- Increase the internal rate of post-consumer recycled fiber within the company's total recycled fiber supply system to 50%.
"This expanded policy on forest protection and sustainable practices outlines our new commitments, but also reaffirms the sustainable forestry activities and processes we already have in place," said Deborah Baker, VP of sustainable forestry, environmental, and community outreach. "Working with the environmental groups helped us make sure that we had outside input, which we believe helped us formulate a better policy statement."
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