Georgia-Pacific Cellulose, Atlanta, Ga., USA, this week announced it is continuing its support of UNICEF's water, sanitation, and hygiene programs in China through a unique initiative called the Green Hand™ Project, which aims to help improve water and sanitation conditions in schools for approximately 15,000 children. For the two-year period from 2013-2015, Georgia-Pacific Cellulose donated $500,000 to support UNICEF water and sanitation programs in schools in China. 

GP Cellulose is renewing a two-year, $500,000 commitment to donate $1 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for every metric ton of Golden Isles® fluff pulp purchased by its customers in China. Through the GP Cellulose Green Hand™ Project, these donations will help UNICEF improve water and sanitation facilities and support hygiene and nutrition programs in schools in the provinces of Chongqing, Guangxi, and Xinjiang. Funds raised will help teach students proper hygiene practices and improve sanitation facilities—including toilets and hand-washing stations—in addition to training teachers on the importance of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. 

"GP Cellulose fluff products are used in more than 75 countries worldwide, including China, with a primary end-use in products that improve hygiene," said Pat Boushka, president of GP Cellulose. "Our Green Hand™ Project helps address the need for water, sanitation, and hygiene for rural school children in China. By supporting UNICEF for the past two years, we are helping to bring about change and build stronger, more sustainable communities where we and our customers do business."

According to the Chinese Ministry of Education 2014 report, more than 50% of rural Chinese schools lack safe water and sanitation facilities. The scarcity of adequate sanitation can result in illness and missed school days, especially for girls.

  

"Investing in good sanitation, hygiene practices, and access to safer water in rural schools has an enormous impact on the health and development of the children attending those schools. We are grateful for GP Cellulose's campaign, which supports UNICEF's efforts to create safe, sanitary, and sustainable schools in rural China. These efforts not only make a difference in the schools we are directly helping, but also create wider change, as other local and provincial governments support sanitation efforts in more schools across rural China," said Tim Sutton, deputy representative for UNICEF China. 

"At GP Cellulose, we believe good business isn't just about growth, it's about creating value," Boushka added.  "We believe in growing in a way that benefits our customers, our company, and society, and building for the long term."

GP Cellulose operates four world-class, non-integrated pulp mills and two cotton cellulose mills in the southeastern U.S. The company is committed to meeting the needs of customers in more than 75 countries worldwide with quality products, global logistics, and technical services.

More information is available online.

Georgia-Pacific is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, office papers, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals. The company employs approximately 35,000 people worldwide.