Sappi's primary goal for eQ Insights is to help educate a wide range of stakeholders on key sustainability issues, and help guide paper buyers toward more environmentally responsible solutions. In these two latest white papers, Sappi comes full circle on LCA by examining the process and reflecting on the company's own operations.
"The environmental impact of manufacturing, and a true understanding of what happens to paper as it moves through its life cycle, is increasingly significant as companies make the tough decisions on where and how to reduce their carbon footprint," said Laura Thompson, Ph.D., director of sustainable development and technical marketing, SFPNA. "Leading by example, Sappi chose to undertake a detailed analysis of our Somerset manufacturing operations in Skowhegan, Maine. In sharing the findings of this study, we illustrate how a well done assessment can help eliminate misconceptions and push the boundaries of traditional thinking on the benefits of recycled fiber compared with virgin fiber."
eQ Insights Volumes 4.2 and 4.3 continue where Volume 4.1, Life Cycle Assessment of Paper Products: Part One - The Basics, leaves off by examining the LCA methodology needed to help paper buyers make good decisions about selection, and then leveraging a LCA study to provide a snapshot of the unexpected findings about the paper products made at Sappi's Somerset mill:
Volume 4.2, Life Cycle Assessment of Paper Products: Part Two - The Impact of Methodology on the Life Cycle Analysis of Paper Products, provides an overview of how Sappi defined the boundaries of analysis and methodology for studying the carbon footprint of pulp and printing papers manufactured at its North American operations. LCA can be used to help paper buyers make good decisions about paper selection – but due to the varying benefits and limitations to using LCA, it can also lead to false conclusions and bad decisions when implemented improperly. Ultimately, Sappi's aim is to help companies make the right decisions to help reduce the carbon footprint within their supply chain.
Volume 4.3, Life Cycle Assessment of Paper Products: Part Three - The Carbon Footprint of Sappi's Somerset Mill and the Impact of Recycled Fiber, offers guidance to customers and other stakeholders looking for information regarding LCA as it applies to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or carbon footprint of pulp and paper products made at Sappi's Somerset mill. Ultimately, Sappi learned that Somerset Synergy virgin pulp has a low carbon footprint when compared with some other pulping technologies, including the use of deinked, recycled fiber. Contrary to general assumptions, displacing 10% of Sappi pulp with purchased deinked recycled fiber actually increased the carbon footprint of Sappi paper by about 16%.
More information about Sappi's eQ Insights, and how to submit a topic suggestion for a future volume, are available online.
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