AF&PA Announces Award-Winning Sustainability Projects

Viet Nam has taken a big step towards the development of a national forest certification system in line with PEFC requirements, following the approval of Decision 83 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), which establishes a Vietnam Forest Certification Scheme (VFCS) Program. The government-approved VFCS Program aims to implement sustainable forest management and forest certification in the country over the period 2016-2020, and appoints key organizations with the required authority and resources to lead implementation.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) is collaborating on research with the University of Georgia to assess the positive impact of the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard on water quality and biodiversity in the Southern Coastal Plain of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The study region, which is home to many imperiled species including the gopher tortoise and red cockaded woodpecker, could be favorably affected by the application of sustainable forestry practices, including those promoted by the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard and the SFI Forest Management Standard. Puneet Dwivedi, Associate Professor in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia (UGA), is collaborating with SFI to analyze the effect of the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard on water quality and biodiversity. The innovative study approach will study how best management practices (BMPs) for water quality can advance conservation goals in multiple ways. BMPs are a required element of both SFI’s Fiber Sourcing Standard and also the SFI Forest Management Standard.

Mactac® announces its role as a leading member in the newly founded CELAB (Circular Economy for Labels) global consortium, which promotes recycling in the self-adhesive label industry. CELAB is an industry initiative, comprised of more than 30 companies in the self-adhesive label industry, to create greater circularity for industry products by enhancing and promoting matrix and release liner recycling around the world. “This coalition is designed to create a powerful, positive impact on environmental sustainability in the self-adhesive label industry on a global level,” says Clunie. “Reaching across the entire value chain, we will provide education, encourage adoption of best practices and work to develop cost-effective solutions that collectively advance label recycling for all, including label printers and end-users.”