American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President & CEO Donna Harman this week (Monday, Oct. 16, 2017) issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s official proclamation recognizing the 57th anniversary of National Forest Products Week (October 15 – 21): 

 

"Pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and wood products are interwoven through our every-day lives in undeniable ways. They and the devoted employees who manufacture them deserve a center-stage seat during National Forest Products Week – the annual celebration of our industry and its valuable contributions to society and the American economy.   

 

"In rural and urban communities across 45 states, our companies provide family-wage jobs to approximately 900,000 men and women and our industry accounts for 4% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Paper and wood products manufacturers rank among the top 10 employers and utilize renewable, recyclable materials in innovative and highly-efficient processes to make products we rely on today and will need tomorrow.

 

"Thanks to paper-based packaging, communications, hygienic, and other specialty products along with innovative wood-based construction techniques, lives have become easier. Across the production process, voluntary programs like Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 have returned improvements that demonstrate our industry’s commitment to sustainability. And, with new goals already in place, we see a vibrant future ahead."