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2019 AF&PA Sustainability Award Winners Announced at Annual Meeting

CONTACT: Katharine Eaton
(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

Five member companies recognized for outstanding sustainability projects.

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) presented its 2019 Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Awards at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 8 in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Five AF&PA member companies received six awards: www.afandpa.org/sustainabilityawardwinners

“The winning projects further our industry’s sustainability record and contribute toward achieving the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 goals,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “We are proud to recognize these outstanding examples of sustainability leadership.”

2019 AF&PA Sustainability Award Winners 

Leadership in Sustainability – Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Large Company)
Resolute Forest Products: Concrete Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Leadership in Sustainability – Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Small Company)
Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc.: Let There Be (LED) Light

Leadership in Sustainability – Safety
WestRock: Hopewell Recovery Boiler Life Changing Event Elimination Project

Leadership in Sustainability – Sustainable Forest Management
Domtar: Promoting Sustainable Forest Management for Landowners

Leadership in Sustainability – Water
Green Bay Packaging: Water Reduction Achievements at Green Bay Mill

Innovation in Sustainability
WestRock: EnShield® Natural Kraft

 

The 2019 AF&PA Sustainability Award winners were selected by a judging panel of sustainability experts from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy; the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University; GreenBlue; Quad Packaging; Two Sides; and the U.S. Department of Energy.

AF&PA’s annual awards are designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry and are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple 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: Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Paper Recovery for Recycling, Safety, Sustainable Forest Management 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’s 2018 Sustainability Report showed that the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals. For more information, visit afandpa.org/sustainability.

 

Editor’s Note: Click here to retrieve photos (caption included) of the award winners.

 

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recyclable resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative —Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper