The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, D.C., USA, presented its 2015 Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Awards at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, November 13, in San Antonio, Texas.

 

Designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry, AF&PA’s annual awards are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories. This year, seven companies received eight awards from 26 outstanding submissions across the industry.

 

"The award-winning initiatives are representative of our members’ commitment to better practices in their businesses and to the industry’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals. Through hard work, ingenuity, and innovation, these companies are helping to create a better future," said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. "The growth in project submissions represents the concrete actions taking place in our industry to improve the sustainability of our processes and products."

 

The 2015 AF&PA Sustainability Award Winners are: 

• Leadership in Sustainability – Paper Recovery for Recycling. Evergreen Packaging: On-Packaging Recycle Use 
• Leadership in Sustainability – Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Large Company. WestRock Co.: Covington Power Island Project
• Leadership in Sustainability – Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Small Company). Seaman Paper Co.: Soft Steps Forward Initiative 
• Leadership in Sustainability – Sustainable Forest Management. Domtar: Marlboro FSC Partnership 
• Leadership in Sustainability – Safety. Resolute Forest Products: Working Towards Zero Incidents
• Leadership in Sustainability – Water. International Paper: Pensacola Mill/Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) Partnership
• Innovation in Sustainability – Domtar: Plymouth K-Lime Project
• Verso Corp.: Identifying and Mapping Vernal Pools on State Lands in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

AF&PA member company applicants are considered in two categories. Projects that support progress toward the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals qualify for recognition in the "Leadership" category, which has five subcategories that correspond to the goals: Paper Recovery for Recycling, Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Sustainable Forest Management, Safety, and Water. The "Innovation in Sustainability" award is reserved for projects that merit recognition for their contribution to sustainable business practices, not one of the goals specifically.

 

AF&PA releases its sustainability report every other year. The 2014 Sustainability Report showed that the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals.  

 

More information about the Sustainability Awards and AF&PA’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative program is available online.