AptarGroup, Inc. released its 2023 Corporate Sustainability / Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Report entitled Progress Takes Shape. Aptar’s report highlights key milestones of its global sustainability strategy across the company’s global operations focused on three key pillars: *Care – operating with care for employees, communities and the environment by continuously improving our impact and reducing our footprint; *Collaboration – innovating alongside customers, suppliers, industry coalitions and nonprofits to enable progress toward their goals – as well as for better outcomes for people and our planet; and *Circularity – helping the industry advance system-scale change that will benefit people today and for generations to come by addressing climate change and the waste crisis. “Our keen focus on ESG, both in the way we run our business and in the solutions we provide, affords us a strong competitive advantage. Our solid ESG credentials and reputation serve as powerful assets. We are a company that stakeholders want to engage with, and our employees are proud to work for,” said Stephan B. Tanda, Aptar President and CEO.

In today’s world, where environmental concerns are increasingly critical, sustainable practices have emerged as a source of hope for the future of our planet. The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) stands out as a world leader in promoting sustainable forest management and sets the standards that ensure that forests are managed in an environmentally friendly, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner. This story explores the crucial role that sustainable forest management plays in preserving and protecting ecosystems in the Cotopaxi area of Ecuador. Aglomerados Cotopaxi is a company in the forestry industry that shows us an inspiring example of environmental management. This 45-year-old company has always worked towards environmental sustainability and, along with FSC certification, their existing sustainable practices have been deepened and improved. They show their commitment to protecting the major ecosystems that extend in and around their forest plantations, and ensure that the delicate balance of their forests remains intact. In addition, they understand the importance of preserving biodiversity, allowing the thriving of plant and animal species that call these ecosystems home. Moreover, the company actively engages with local communities, forging meaningful partnerships that nurture both the environment and the livelihoods of the people intertwined with it.

The Lithuanian Forest Certification Scheme has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this new system, will run from 11 June to 10 August 2024. This is the first time the Center of Sustainable Forest Management (CSFM), the PEFC national member for Lithuania, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. Find out more about the national system. To provide you with additional information about this new national system, we are holding a webinar on 11 June at 9:00 CEST.

FSC published Advice Notes for Chain of Custody Certification on Annual Administration Fee and Controlled Forest Management (CFM) claim. The new Advice Notes related to Annual Administration Fee (AAF) calculation (ADVICE-40-004-25 & ADVICE-40-006-02) includes requirements for the organization to provide information to the certification body (CB) for Annual Administration Fee (AAF) calculation. Advice Notes related to the CFM claim in the Chain of Custody Certification are ADVICE-40-004-27 & ADVICE-40-006-03. These Advice Notes are available in the relevant Directives FSC-DIR-40-004 and FSC-DIR-40-006

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Bulgarian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 27 July. Give your feedback. The Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria (CSFMCB) revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The Bulgarian system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member and supporter, Baumer hhs, a worldwide partner for adhesive application and quality assurance. For more than 35 years, everything at Baumer hhs has revolved around secure gluing and the goal of meeting the high demands imposed by their customers and a dynamic market. No matter whether you process cold glue or hot melt, or whether you want to verify the quality of your products with the help of sensors or cameras, you’ll find the right solution at Baumer hhs! “Sustainability is on everyone’s lips. We are only at the beginning of an exciting journey. But what does sustainability actually mean in a company like Baumer hhs? Well, we asked ourselves three questions on how can we be: economically sustainable for our customers in the market, socially sustainable for our employees and our environment, and ecologically sustainable for our company and the environment?

When the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) came into force in June 2023, FSC accelerated several existing projects to align our sustainable forestry standards with the EUDR requirements and develop the required technology solutions to ease compliance for companies. FSC Aligned for EUDR takes the complexity out of EUDR requirements and provides a robust solution to help certificate holders become compliant on time. Join us as we unveil this offering and how it will streamline your compliance journey. Get access to the FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR, supporting companies to fulfil their due diligence obligations. It includes the newly developed FSC Regulatory Module and FSC Risk Assessment Framework and enables EUDR alignment by leveraging FSC's robust system. Find out how to start implementation immediately.

Preparing to give your feedback on the proposed amendments to the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard for EUDR alignment, but would like more information? We are holding a special information webinar, open to everyone, on 12 June, to introduce the proposed modifications and answer your questions. The PEFC SFM Working Group has added and amended a number of requirements to the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard (ST 1003) to ensure that PEFC-certified raw material coming out of PEFC-certified forests is EUDR compliant.

A new offer within Tetra Pak’s broader sustainability portfolio, the ‘Factory Sustainable Solutions’ business offers Food and Beverage (F&B) producers a tailored blend of state-of-the-art technologies and leading plant integration capabilities. It seeks to support F&B producers in optimising energy and resource consumption, an important step in helping customers meet their sustainability ambitions and reduce operational costs. Traditionally reliant on fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes,1 F&B producers are under increasing pressure to optimise resources and increase energy generation from renewable sources. This comes amidst rising operational expenses, including the cost of raw materials, as well as new CO2 taxes and fees for wasted water. Finding solutions to these challenges will be key, with businesses looking to their supply chains and manufacturing processes to help achieve cost savings2.

Two of the most popular Two Sides resources, the Myths & Facts and Packaging Facts booklets, have been updated to take in the very latest research, facts and findings about paper and paper packaging, as well as the latest Trend Tracker report from Two Sides. The new Myths & Facts booklet explores nine common myths, from ‘European forests are shrinking’ to ‘Paper wastes precious resources’, before busting those myths by using a series of irrefutable facts. Meanwhile, the new Packaging Facts booklet sets out eight clear reasons why paper packaging is the natural choice for brand owners, retailers and consumers. Two Sides thanks Antalis, who supplied the paper for the print version of the new Myths & Facts booklet. In keeping with the booklet’s content, Antalis chose the recycled Cyclus Offset paper, which has exemplary sustainable credentials.

Paper bags are a common sight at grocery stores, clothing stores, and pharmacies. They’re also great for carrying your packed lunch. But have you ever wondered … can these paper bags be recycled? The answer is yes! Paper bags are widely accepted for recycling across the U.S. They are the only bags that are recyclable in curbside bins. This ease of recycling makes them a convenient choice. Recycling is a critical part of the paper industry’s manufacturing process. And recyclable paper products, like paper bags, are a key component of our circular value chain.

The Bulgarian Forest Certification System, the latest member of the Balkan Regional System, has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 28 May to 27 July 2024. The Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria (CSFMCB) revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. This national system also joins Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Slovenia under the Balkan Regional System.

The preliminary results of the transaction verification (TV) loop on Vietnamese wood supply chains indicate that there are some potential discrepancies in transactions reported by the certificate holders included in this TV loop. Several suppliers declared fewer sales than the purchases reported by their customers. In May 2023, FSC and its assurance partner – Assurance Services International (ASI) – launched this TV loop to identify the volumes and species of certified wood harvested in Vietnam. Through this TV loop, FSC and ASI also aim to trace supply chains of raw materials used for wood pellets production. The original scope of the TV loop included 424 certificate holders – 368 chain of custody and 56 forest management certificates; they were requested to submit their transaction data for 2022. However, 17 certificate holders did not respond, and their certificates were suspended by their respective certification bodies, some of which were subsequently terminated.

For more than 125 years, IP has championed the sustainable management of natural resources. As part of its commitment to build a better future, IP advances its Vision 2030 goals and targets in order to deliver sustainable outcomes through our businesses. "Guided by Vision 2030, our sustainability framework, IP has continuously worked alongside customers and strategic partners to become a leader in renewable fiber-based solutions and to help facilitate a low carbon, circular economy," said Sophie Beckham, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, International Paper. International Paper reported pursuant to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and also responded to CDP's (Carbon Disclosure Project) Climate Change, Forest and Water Security questionnaires to transparently disclose risks and opportunities in those core areas of sustainability.

Stakeholders globally are invited to give their feedback on the proposed amendments to the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard (ST 1003) to achieve alignment with the EUDR requirements. Deadline for comments is 13 July 2024. To ensure that PEFC-certified raw material coming out of PEFC-certified forests is EUDR compliant, the PEFC SFM Working Group has added and amended a number of requirements to the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard (ST 1003). Now we need your feedback on these new and amended requirements. The public consultation is open now and you have until 13 July 2024 to give your comments. Please note, we will only accept comments on the new and amended requirements, any comments given on requirements outside this scope will not be considered.

Ahead of the United Nation’s International Day of Biodiversity on 22nd May, Tetra Pak has announced the launch of its ‘Approach to Nature’ - a comprehensive framework that defines the company’s contribution to halting and reversing nature loss and enhancing water security. The approach aligns with global targets, including those outlined in the Biodiversity Plan that calls for action to halt biodiversity loss and put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of all life on earth.1 A report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) shows that nature is deteriorating at rates unprecedented in human history, largely due to human activity.2 Global food systems are identified as the main drivers of nature loss,3 with wide-reaching impacts that threaten global economies, livelihoods and food security.4 Recognising this complex interdependency and building on a thorough evaluation of nature-related impacts and dependencies, Tetra Pak’s ambitious new ‘Approach to Nature’ aims to manage the impacts of the company’s value chain on nature and to support the restoration of ecosystems.5

By diverting paper from landfills and reintroducing it into the production cycle, recycling paper benefits the environment by conserving resources and reducing the need for virgin materials. This can lead to significantly reduced demand for timber from forests. The resulting recycle paper materials are used to produce everything from newspaper and tissue to cardboard and magazines – benefitting both the forests and you, the environmentally conscious individual. The production of paper from recycled fibers consumes considerably less energy and water compared to paper made from virgin materials. Recycling paper requires less processing, reducing the energy-intensive steps involved in harvesting, pulping, and bleaching raw wood pulp. Additionally, it conserves water resources by minimizing the need for extensive irrigation in forestry operations and the paper manufacturing process.

Finnish forest owners have enthusiastically welcomed the measures implementing Metsä Group’s regenerative forestry principles. Of wood trades completed during Metsä Group’s campaign in February–April 2024, approximately 40 per cent were agreed in accordance with the Metsä Group Plus management model. In terms of cubic volume of wood trades, the share was over 50 per cent during the campaign. Metsä Group’s parent company Metsäliitto Cooperative is owned by more than 90,000 Finnish forest-owners, who own around half of Finland’s private forests. The measures we carry out jointly with forest-owners significantly improve the natural state of forests. The Metsä Group Plus forest management model pays increasingly close attention to forest biodiversity and forest nature in the implementation of forest work. The model includes measures that improve the state of forest nature and are more comprehensive than current established practices and certificate requirements.