The ongoing war in Ukraine has contaminated certified forests with explosive objects. As a result, substantial areas have had to be excised from the scope of certification. To achieve this goal, the current Forest Stewardship Standard (FSS) for Ukraine has been updated (FSC-STD-UKR-01.1-2024) to include criteria for excising contaminated areas as well as specific, nationally adapted indicators and verifiers. Those requirements are based on the scenario presented in Clause 2.2 of the FSC Policy on the Excision of Areas from the Scope of Certification. After the initial registration of the process by the Performance and Standards Unit of FSC (PSU) in March 2023, the Standard Development Group developed an updated draft in consultation with forestry authorities, the Ministry of Defense, the State Emergency Service, and other relevant bodies. The Policy Steering Group approved the updated FSS in June 2024.

Tree planting, or reforestation, is one of the many solutions to climate change due to the ability of trees to sequester substantial amounts of carbon as they grow. Governments worldwide are backing ambitious initiatives, encouraging people to donate time and money to reforestation projects. However, many tree planting projects designed to offset carbon emissions have faced criticism for failing to create sustainable forests. Numerous reforestation efforts have ended in failure. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found that a large-scale government-organized tree planting project in Northern California had insignificant impact on carbon sequestration or tree cover. Similarly, a study by the Nature Conservancy questioned the environmental benefits of a government-funded tree-planting program in Mexico, concluding that forest loss rates were higher in states implementing the plan than in those that did not. In the Philippines, the National Greening Program was deemed a failure by its own government, achieving only a fraction of its intended forest cover increase.

In 2023, Sappi Europe’s Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland successfully transitioned to renewable biomass energy, reducing its Scope 1 emissions, direct emissions from Sappi’s own operations, by 90%. Building on the significant investment made to Kirkniemi’s energy systems, clean electricity is now also being supplied to the mill, eliminating scope 2, indirect emissions. These efforts have led to a 55% overall reduction in the carbon footprint of Sappi’s Galerie paper range, which is estimated to reach a remarkable 70% by the end of the year. This transformation is among nearly 80 projects outlined in Sappi Europe’s decarbonisation roadmap, a blueprint that will see the company’s energy-related sustainability targets through to 2025. This also closely aligns with Sappi’s science-based targets for 2030.

FSC is pleased to announce the official publication of the new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Peru, which covers all categories of Management Units in natural forests and plantations, including small and low intensity managed forests, as well as Non-Timber Forest Products. This standard, effective October 15, 2024, not only focuses on productive management, but also encompasses conservation management and forest restoration. Peru, being a country rich in natural forests, has a territory where almost 60% is covered by forests (Ministry of Environment (MINAM), 2024), covering a total area of 82,543,385 hectares as of 2019. These forests include Amazonian forests (94.2%), dry forests (4.7%) and Andean forests (1.1%), with a diversity of 42 types of forests on the coast, highlands and jungle, each with its own unique richness. These ecosystems are fundamental to Peru and the world, providing invaluable benefits such as natural resources, water and food, as well as playing a crucial role in stabilizing the climate and environment. They are also the home and livelihood of indigenous communities, representing a great potential for the development of sustainable productive initiatives that generate well-being for the people who live in them.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is pleased to announce its renewed partnership with world geospatial company, Esri. This is the third year of a large-scale collaboration aimed at integrating cutting-edge technology to advance global sustainable forest management. FSC has tapped into Esri’s in-kind support to bolster efforts to build out a comprehensive map of certified forests worldwide. In addition to increasing technological access for forest managers, it has enhanced monitoring of deforestation. “If you can’t map the forest, you can’t measure or track it,” says Scot McQueen, FSC’s Senior Technology Officer, who spearheaded the FSC-Esri partnership and recruited Esri to FSC’s Technology Consortium. Building on past successes, this ongoing collaboration will support FSC’s solutions for forest managers as they prepare to comply with the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), set to take effect later this year. EUDR mandates comprehensive reporting requirements for forest-based products entering the market from late December 2024, including the need for geospatial data, traceability, and risk assessments.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Austrian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 6 September. Give your feedback. PEFC Austria 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 Austrian 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. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

If you have an interest in packaging policy or sustainable packaging, you have likely heard the term “EPR” or “extended producer responsibility.” But what exactly is EPR, and how will it ultimately affect the types of packaging we use? In this Deep Dive, we will explore the current EPR landscape in the U.S. and what is likely to come over the next several years. A note of caution: this article is intended as a general overview of packaging EPR with some basic advice for companies trying to navigate the new legislative landscape. It should not be taken as legal advice, and we highly recommend that companies who think they are regulated “producers” seek legal counsel to better understand their responsibilities. Introduction to EPR - Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, refers to a policy approach that shifts the responsibility for waste management of a given product from consumers/taxpayers and municipalities onto the producers of that product. Typically, the main goal of EPR is to minimize the environmental externalities of a product’s end of life – that is, minimize the unintended consequence of what happens to a product when we’re done with it. EPR prompts a society to start thinking on a large scale about where products end up when we’re done with them and how we can better manage them. EPR regulations are not new to the U.S. and have been around for over a decade to manage products like e-waste, mattresses, paint, tires, batteries, etc. Let’s take the example of paint. “Producers,” meaning paint manufacturers, are typically responsible for the paint up until the point where you, the consumer, purchase it. But there are some unintended consequences that come when you’re done with that paint can that likely has extra paint in it. While most paint is actually recyclable, many people throw it away or pour it down the drain, which can contaminate the environment with hazardous chemicals. Ultimately, consumers/taxpayers and the environment pay the costs to deal with this result, and paint companies don’t have an incentive to fix it.

The webinar focused on the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements and looked at the vital data and integrity elements. Our PEFC experts Marta Martínez Pardo (Chain of Custody), Rob Shaw (Data and Integrity), Hubert Inhaizer (Sustainable Forest Management), and Maja Drca (EU Affairs) discussed PEFC's agile approach to aligning with EUDR guidelines by the end of the year. Marta introduced the PEFC EUDR Due Diligence System which is currently undergoing approval by the PEFC General Assembly and is expected to be finalised by late July. Rob discussed PEFC's strategy on data management. Hubert addressed the modification proposals to PEFC's Sustainable Forest Management standard, developed for harmonisation with EU frameworks like the EUDR.

A new standard for Poland updates guidance for forest management. It focuses on the protection of rare ecosystems and old-growth forests. Labour rights for forest workers will help to ensure social benefits for forest communities. Overall, the new standard seeks to keep Poland’s forests and all the resources they provide sustainable into the future. The standard becomes effective on 1 October 2024. About one third of Poland is forested, and just over 80 per cent of that is in public ownership. These forests are rich in biodiversity as well as being home to iconic species such as European bison, brown bear, lynx, and wolves. FSC certification has guided forest management in Poland for more than 25 years, but the FSC National Forest Management Standard needed to be brought up to date to reflect the FSC International Principles and Criteria.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Thai Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 31 August. Give your feedback. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) 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 revised system also includes a new standard for Trees outside Forests (TOF) certification. The Thai 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.

The FSC Regulatory Module and FSC Risk Assessment Framework comprise FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR, along with system-wide updates to operationalize these changes and align with the intention of the Policy to Address Conversion. The launch of these requirements ensures that our certification system remains robust and relevant in the evolving regulatory landscape. The Risk Assessment Framework and other system-wide changes are also applicable for Certificate Holders not affected by EUDR. This new voluntary add-on module FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module supports EUDR compliance by providing additional requirements for Forest Management, Chain of Custody, and Controlled Wood Certification as well as accreditation requirements. It is designed to help companies use their FSC certification to meet EUDR’s stringent requirements by taking the guesswork out of what is required on top of FSC certification. The module outlines robust due diligence systems, conducting thorough risk assessments with FSC’s Risk Assessment Framework, and maintaining transparent supply chain documentation.

The two organisations have combined their expertise in satellite analytics and modular chain of custody to devise a program that guides PEFC-certified companies to EUDR compliance using a customised version of LiveEO’s EUDR platform, TradeAware. Companies can sign up today to join the program and start their compliance journey. As one of the pioneering partnerships tackling EUDR compliance, LiveEO and PEFC are establishing a new standard for innovative and reliable EUDR solutions for timber and tree-based products. By enhancing transparency in supply chains, affected companies significantly reduce the risk of illegal activities, supply chain disruptions, and non-compliance. Companies signed up for the program will be guided through key preparatory steps, including collecting geolocations and onboarding suppliers to the TradeAware platform, to ensure compliance readiness well ahead of the deadline. As part of the partnership, LiveEO develops a customised version of its EUDR platform TradeAware, that is specifically tailored to the needs of PEFC-certified organisations.

The Austrian Forest Certification 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 8 July to 6 September 2024. PEFC Austria 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. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 8 July 2024 at 10:00 CEST.

The Thai Forest Certification 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 2 July to 31 August 2024. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) 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 revised system also includes a new standard for Trees outside Forests (TOF) certification. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 2 July 2024 at 8:00 CET.

Generation Z and Millennial consumers are more likely to pay a premium for products that are legitimately sustainable in some way, from materials to packaging to delivery. The third annual Consumer Sustainability Survey from Blue Yonder, a digital supply chain platform, confirms that sustainability remains a priority for all consumers. However, younger shoppers are more definitive and consistent in their choices, with 85% of Gen Z and 84% of Millennials reporting that sustainability considerations are important to them. “It’s especially promising that so many respondents are willing to spend more for sustainable products, given that price concerns, exacerbated by the ongoing challenge of inflation, have marked conversations around consumer behavior over the last year,” said Saskia van Gendt, Blue Yonder’s chief sustainability officer, in a statement.

FSC is pleased to announce the official publication of the new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Argentina. The standard becomes effective on 1 October 2024. The standard is applicable to all categories of Management Units operating in native forests and plantations, applies to small and low intensity managed forests and includes non-timber forest products. In addition to productive management, it is applicable to conservation and forest restoration management. Forests are important for the national economy of Argentina due to the social, environmental and economic benefits it provides. This includes of 1.3 million hectares of forest plantations and 28 million hectares of native forests, of which more than 80% correspond to the Tropical Climate Region (FAO FRA 2020).

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Croatian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 16 August. Give your feedback. This is the first time that CUPFOA, the Croatian Union of Private Forest Owners Associations, the PEFC national member for Croatia, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. After developing the national system in line with PEFC requirements, CUPFOA submitted the system to PEFC for endorsement. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

National Book Tokens, the UK’s leading book gift card retailer, has partnered with Love Paper for their Love Paper 2024 Competition. This partnership will inform consumers of the sustainable facts about paper, books and wider paper products. Love Paper, a campaign run by the not-for-profit organisation Two Sides, promotes the sustainability and attractiveness of print, paper and paper-based packaging. The Love Paper competition invites consumers to learn the facts about paper and the environment. National Book Tokens’ partnership with Love Paper aligns with its commitment to supporting the literary community and promoting environmentally-conscious practices.

NeoLigno® by Stora Enso is a bio-based binder, ideal for mineral and glass wool. By changing to a binder made from renewable materials you can decrease your carbon footprint, while removing harmful formaldehyde and isocyanates from your loop. Phasing out fossils is not only about meeting industry standards and regulations. Harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and isocyanates used in traditional binders are widely present in our homes, workplaces, and schools. Invisible to the naked eye, they are in our walls in the insulation, risking our health while having a negative impact on the environment. For producers of insulation material there is a sustainable option ready in industrial scale. NeoLigno® is a natural binder, perfect for production of insulation materials in the building industry. Bio-based with superior mechanical strength and suitable for humid conditions, it is made from Lignin – a side stream of the pulp industry typically utilised as bioenergy – already being produced in millions of tonnes across Europe.

We were lucky to have LIVE EO, Osapiens and TimberID as gold sponsors at the PEFC Forest Forum, and Timbeter as a silver sponsor. At the conference, the sponsors met with PEFC members and international stakeholders to demonstrate and explain their technology solutions for EUDR compliance. Thanks go to Alberta Zatta and João Diogo, Michael Frank, Swapan Chaudhuri, and Anna-Greta Tsahkna! PEFC is working towards partnerships with all these companies, with our first announcement due soon on our plans with LIVE EO. LIVE EO, Osapiens and TimberID have end-to-end software solutions for EUDR compliance which include Earth Observation checks for deforestation and degradation, data sharing capability and Due Diligence Statement functionality.

FSC International will not withdraw from Myanmar according to a decision taken by the Board of Directors in March 2024 at the 98th Board Meeting. Further, in accordance with their decision, new certificates will not be issued in the country unless FSC’s core labour requirements are diligently implemented and audited. FSC International’s Board also agreed to suspend the Trademark License Agreement (TLA) of all certificate holders managed by Bureau Veritas – an accredited certification body. At the 98th Board Meeting, the FSC International Board of Directors reviewed the findings of two FSC-commissioned investigations conducted by FSC’s assurance partner, Assurance Services International (ASI). Investigations carried out by ASI in 2023 revealed the following: *Workers’ conditions in certificate holders are no better than those in non-certified companies. *Certification bodies are not adequately assessing certificate holders’ compliance with labour requirements. *Certificate holders have been issued with non-conformities with respect to freedom of association, protection of workers’ rights to organize, and forced labour.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Lithuanian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 10 August. Give your feedback. 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. After developing the national system in line with PEFC requirements, CSFM submitted the system to PEFC for endorsement. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

This weekend, the New York State Legislature concluded its session without passing the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. While the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) supports efforts to improve recycling, the legislation lacked provisions to ensure it would not negatively impact highly recycled materials like paper and paper-based packaging. We look forward to continuing discussions that ensure paper-based packaging recycling remains a viable and sustainable option for New Yorkers.

Exlfilmplus PCR is a multilayered clear polyolefin film that incorporates post-consumer recycled content. Its versatility allows it to excel on all sealing systems and tunnels. Whether you’re packaging club store multi-packs or food products, Exlfilmplus PCR is the ideal choice for environmentally conscious customers seeking a circular and sustainable shrink packaging solution.

Our webinar will focus on the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements, as well as looking at the vital data and integrity elements. Our PEFC experts will give you a behind the scenes look at the progress of our working groups and task forces, working tirelessly to ensure we will have practical solutions in place to enable you to successfully implement EUDR. Once we’ve heard from our experts, we’ll open the webinar up to the audience for questions and answers. The PEFC Alliance has made strong progress on our EUDR rollout over the last few months, and we are looking forward to sharing the details with you, as we all move forward on this EUDR journey together.

It’s been an eventful year since the Sappi Chair in Climate Change and Plantation Sustainability was launched at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). As we celebrate another World Environment Day on 05 June the Forestry team at Wits reflects on a year of significant progress, characterised by collaboration and dialogue. Under the guidance of Professor Mary Scholes - an internationally recognised authority on tree physiology and climate change- the team has pioneered research and capacity-building initiatives that equip the forestry industry to navigate the challenges of climate change. With the southern hemisphere’s winter heralding a forecast of scant rainfall, the insights provided by the Wits Research Chair to the forestry industry on El Nino impacts and the risk of increased wildfire prevalence in the 2024 fire season in South Africa’s plantation regions, is just one of the crucial areas where this research is proving to be invaluable.

Flint Group is pleased to announce that its 2030 carbon reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The business is working towards a 46.2% reduction in scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030 versus their 2019 baseline. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets. Matthew Rowland-Jones, Sustainability Officer at Flint Group, said: “We are delighted that our 2030 carbon reduction targets have been approved by the SBTi. This validation represents significant work across the business to develop a detailed plan to reduce emissions and combat climate change. Carbon reduction forms part of ‘PRISM’, our vision and strategy for long-term sustainability. PRISM splits the broader topic of sustainability into the three core areas where we can make the biggest impact, ‘Product, Planet and People’.

Kimberly-Clark published its annual sustainability report, including an update on the company's progress toward its 2030 sustainability goals and a new ambition to be 100% Natural Forest Free across its portfolio beyond 2030. Over the past decade, the company has made significant investments in developing more sustainable products as part of the company's innovation strategy and focus on delivering products with enhanced consumer benefits while striving to lower its environmental footprint. "Sustainability is woven into the fabric of our 152-year-old company's innovation strategy and purpose, serving as a guiding principle across every facet of our operations," said Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO at Kimberly-Clark. "I am proud of our team's commitment to our purpose of Better Care for a Better World, focusing on where we believe we can make the biggest impact."

The Croatian 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 17 June to 16 August 2024. This is the first time that CUPFOA, the Croatian Union of Private Forest Owners Associations, the PEFC national member for Croatia, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. To provide you with additional information about this new national system, we are holding a webinar on 17 June at 10:00 CEST.

Stora Enso has partnered with Altris, a Swedish developer of sodium-ion batteries. The two companies aim to further advance the development and commercialisation of a sustainable battery value chain in Europe. Together, the two companies will drive the adaptation of Stora Enso’s hard carbon solution Lignode® as an anode material in Altris’ sodium-ion battery cells. Lignode® by Stora Enso is a sustainable hard carbon derived from lignin, a product from the manufacturing of pulp, to be used as an anode material in both lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. It serves as a more sustainable alternative to current incumbent anode solutions. In addition to its sustainability benefits, lignin makes up 20-30% of a tree, which makes it abundantly available already today. Lignin being a by-product from pulp manufacturing ensures a stable and consistent raw material supply for anode material manufacturing. Lignode is developed in Stora Enso’s pilot plant in Kotka, Finland. Stora Enso is currently upgrading the plant from a technical point of view.

Tetra Pak launches its 25th Sustainability Report, which tracks the progress the company has made against its sustainability agenda. It focuses on five interdependent areas: food systems, circularity, climate, nature and social sustainability. Launching on the United Nations’ World Environment Day on 5 June, the company’s Sustainability Report FY233 shows a 20% reduction in value chain4 GHG emissions and a 47% reduction in GHG emissions across its own operations since 2019. The latter puts Tetra Pak on track to meet its target of net zero GHG emissions in its own operations by 20305 and supports the company’s long-term ambition to work together with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders and achieve net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2050.6 Another major milestone saw the launch of an aseptic beverage carton featuring a paper-based barrier, reducing its carbon footprint by a third (33%)7 and bringing the company a step closer to developing the world’s most sustainable food package.8 This world-first was a result of a €100 million investment in packaging research and development in 2023, with the same investment planned annually for the next five to ten years.

Since 2014, Trioworld in Germany has been working with the initiative ERDE, Erntekunststoffe Recycling Deutschland, a German collecting system for crop plastics in Europe. Trioworld now receives the ERDE Climate Protection Certificate for the collection and recycling of agricultural plastic in 2023. With a total of 645 collection points and 3147 mobile collections, ERDE is a well-established recovery concept that recently renewed its voluntary commitment to collect and recycle more than 75 % of all silage and stretch film placed on the German market by 2027. Trioworld has been certified with ERDE’s Climate Protection Certificate for the collection and recycling of silage film, stretch film, bale nets, baler twine, perforated film, mulch film, greenhouse film, asparagus film and nonwovens in 2023. The certificate quantifies the respective CO2 savings achieved during the year based on the collected and recycled quantity of all collection fractions and, for illustrative purposes, is converted to the number of trees that bind the corresponding quantities of CO2 per year.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is seeking candidates for a working group to revise its complaints and appeals procedures. The call for applicants is open until 12 July 2024. The working group will comprise of four (4) members who will be selected based on the following criteria: Experience in: *Developing operational non-judicial grievance and remediation mechanisms. *Managing complicated dispute cases. *Implementing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. *Managing human rights and socio-environmental sustainability due diligence processes *Using the FSC complaints system or other relevant complaints systems as a party to a complaint. Knowledge in: *FSC’s normative framework, in particular its certification standards, Policy for Association, Remedy Framework, as well as the complaints mechanisms of the various actors in FSC’s certification system. *Measures to ensure equal access to complaints mechanisms according to the needs and challenges faced by users, in particular local forest communities and Indigenous Peoples. *The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. *Best practices on grievance and remediation mechanisms, including the establishment and use of ombuds services.

Guyana has become the latest country to achieve PEFC endorsement of its national forest certification system, enabling forest owners in the country to obtain PEFC certification. It is the 49th country that is covered by a PEFC-endorsed system, and the 5th in South America. Since the early 2000s, the Government of Guyana has maintained a national wood tracking system, enabling the traceability of timber and timber products from market to forest source. This system has now evolved into a national forest certification system, endorsed by PEFC International.

Paper products and packaging are part of our daily lives. From tissues and paper towels to the absorbent pulp in diapers to cardboard boxes to boxes that package medicine and food. Paper production requires resources like wood, recycled paper, water and energy. Here in the U.S., the paper industry is working hard to find ways to make production and our products more sustainable. We answered some common questions about the U.S. paper industry and its environmental impact. Dive in to explore how our industry is committed to sustainable manufacturing practices. Does the U.S. Paper Industry Contribute to Deforestation? How Does the U.S. Paper Industry Source its Wood Responsibly? How Much Water is Used, and What Happens to it After Papermaking?

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Turkish Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 2 August. Give your feedback. This is the first time the Association for Sustainable Forest Management, Forest Product and Services Certification (SOYDER), the PEFC national member for Turkey, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. After developing the national system in line with PEFC requirements, SOYDER submitted the system to PEFC for endorsement. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

As society rallies to combat climate change, companies and organizations spanning all sectors have spurred into action, reevaluating and revitalizing their sustainability strategies to curb their carbon footprint. Among the widespread green initiatives sweeping across industries, a notable trend involves substituting plastic materials with an eco-friendly alternative sourced from trees to form biodegradable pulp products. Pulp is raw material derived from the natural fibers of trees and plants and recycled materials like paper, cardboard, and newspapers. From a sustainability standpoint, the allure of biodegradable pulp is undeniable, as it is recyclable and compostable. Because of its superiority in reducing environmental impact, new doors to sustainability have been opened in comparison to plastic or Styrofoam, which takes hundreds of years to decompose. Biodegradable pulp products also have many other advantages that differentiate them from other eco-friendly alternatives, such as reducing energy consumption and shipping costs. They can accomplish this by producing robust, lightweight products that can withstand the same amount of pressure with a lighter material.

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.

Two Sides has challenged over 2,650 organisations found to be communicating greenwashing messages to their customers. Over 1,180 organisations have, so far, removed misleading anti-paper statements. Economic pressures remain the driver for much of Greenwashing, and many organisations that have relied on paper to communicate with their customers are increasingly transitioning their customers from traditional paper-based services to digital platforms in a bid to reduce costs. The switch to digital is often justified by misleading and unsubstantiated environmental marketing messages such as; “Go Green – Go Paperless” or “Choose e-billing and help save a tree,” – but this is just Greenwashing.

Sonoco Products Company released its 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report which highlights progress made in support of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. *Achieved 8% year-over-year (YOY) decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions driven by projects across our facilities globally geared towards energy and emissions reduction *Continued our commitment to GHG reduction through a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with ENGINE *Co-founded the Poly Coated Paper Alliance (PCPA), an industry collaboration focused on widespread recycling of poly-coated paper in the U.S. *Redesigned our iconic stacked chip package to allow for greater recyclability *Introduced our EnviroFlex® Paper solution for curbside recyclable flexible packaging. *Launched our Doing Safety Differently initiative

As a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, we fully support the European Union’s aim of promoting packaging circularity and reducing the impact of packaging on the environment. To help our customers navigate new rules shaping the future of packaging in the EU, we have outlined the latest information on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), its importance, objectives, and the differences between existing rules and the key measures proposed. What is the PPWR? Currently, the main regulatory framework for packaging and its end of life in the European Union is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), adopted in the 1990s and revised several times since. In 2022, the European Commission decided to take a more ambitious approach to packaging and packaging waste as part of the EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan. The EU’s aim is to further reduce the environmental impact of packaging in the context of its ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

This spring, UPM launched a new service package, UPM Nature Management Services, to provide Finnish forest owners with more options to enhance biodiversity. The first nature management services to be offered are assisting forest owners in applying for an environmental subsidy and a controlled burning service. More new services will be available later this year. The environmental subsidy (Metka, forestry incentive scheme in Finland) allows forest owners to apply for compensation to protect a valuable habitat in their forest. UPM will help forest owners to determine the eligibility of the habitat and apply for the subsidy on their behalf. UPM also provides help with other conservation options such as METSO (voluntary conservation scheme for forest owners). Controlled burning, in turn, can provide habitats for species that have become endangered as a result of effective fire suppression. As part of this service, UPM investigates on behalf of the forest owner whether the forest stand is eligible for a Metka subsidy and prepares the application before the actual work. The service also includes the controlled burning itself.

A new study reveals compelling evidence that forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) in Gabon and the Republic of Congo harbour a higher abundance of larger mammals and critically endangered species, such as gorillas and elephants, compared to non-FSC certified forests. The research was led by Utrecht University with support from WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and was published in Nature on 10 April 2024. It underscores the effectiveness of measures implemented in FSC-certified forest concessions to safeguard wildlife. By meticulously counting individual animals and strategically positioning camera traps, the research conducted by Joeri Zwerts confirmed that certified concessions notably harbor a larger population of large mammals – 2.7 times more for mammals over 100 kg, such as gorillas and forests elephants, and 2.5 times more for mammals from 30–100 kg, such as leopards and chimpanzees – when compared to non-FSC-certified areas. In addition, the encounter rates observed of large mammals in FSC-certified forests were comparable to published data from recently monitored protected areas in the Congo Basin region.

World Land Trust is one of the most successful environmental organizations in the world, protecting vulnerable areas of land from deforestation and destruction. As a global non-profit that safeguards the world’s most threatened habitats and wildlife species, the success of World Land Trust (WLT) lies in the amount of land it protects, and in 2023, over 177,200 acres (71,710 hectares) were protected from deforestation and development. This brings the total amount of land saved since the charity’s foundation over 30 years ago to over 2.8 million acres – that’s equivalent to the size of Jamaica. WLT form partnerships with local environmental groups and NGOs, giving them the financial and technical assistance to protect and manage the protected areas. WLT understands the value of people who know the area and the importance it has in the lives of the communities that live there.

For two years, SCA has operated the world's first electric timber truck for timber transports between SCA’s timber terminal Gimonäs and Obbola paper mill. "It's going very well. We have also tried using the truck to collect timber in the forest, and it was a very successful trial. Therefore, we felt it was time to take the next step in electrifying our heavy transports together with Scania," says Mikael Sundelin, Head of Business Development at Industrial Supply, SCA Skog. "Our new electric timber truck has a better range and will drive to timber storage areas in the forest where it loads the timber for further transport to one of our timber terminals. We expect the truck to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 170 tons per year compared to a regular timber truck," says Anton Ahlinder, Business Developer at Industrial Supply, SCA Skog.

Starting from December 2024, the European Union Deforestation-free products Regulation (EUDR) will be implemented. This new legislation aims to prevent the sale of seven commodity products – soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa, coffee, and rubber – that are major drivers of deforestation, if sourced from areas affected by deforestation or forest degradation practices. By promoting the consumption of “deforestation-free” products and reducing the EU’s impact on global deforestation and forest degradation, the new EUDR is expected to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. The EUDR will require us to provide evidence that every quantity of pulp we purchase from outside the EU comes from areas free from deforestation. To comply with the Regulation, wood must have been harvested from land that was not subject to deforestation and without inducing forest degradation after December 31, 2020.

The EU Commission is set to provide further clarity regarding the requirements of the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). Yet, organizations don’t need to wait to begin their journey toward EUDR compliance. Here are six steps companies - including FSC certificate and licence holders - can take now to prepare for EUDR compliance before 31 December 2024. STEP 1: Create an inventory list of your commodities and/or products in scope STEP 2: Review the proposed requirements for FSC’s new Regulatory Module STEP 3: Review your current Due Diligence system against EUDR requirements STEP 4: Collaboratively prepare with your supply chain STEP 5: Plan for secure data exchange with trading partners STEP 6: Reach out about your intentions for EUDR compliance to your certification body.

Mondi, a global packaging and paper manufacturer, has maintained its Platinum status in EcoVadis’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ratings. The Group’s overall score of 87% places Mondi among the top 1% of global companies assessed for the eighth consecutive year. We are delighted to have secured our position among the top 1% of companies globally in the EcoVadis ratings once again this year. This achievement underscores our continued dedication to realising our ambitious MAP2030 sustainability commitments and to transparent reporting on our progress. As a widely recognised global platform for sustainability and corporate social responsibility ratings, EcoVadis supports us in engaging with customers and suppliers - Gladys Naylor, Mondi Group Head of Sustainable Development.

Solenis LLC is proud to announce that a BASF site located in White Stone, South Carolina, is among the winners of a 2023 Solenis Sustainability Award. The White Stone operation, which produces surfactants for the personal care and cleaning industries, is being recognized for a boiler tuning effort that led to annual savings of $27,002 (makeup water savings of $3,911; wastewater savings of $7,821; and fuel savings of $15,270). The BASF White Stone facility is a typical batch process chemical plant that uses steam from its three boilers in several critical processes. The boilers started experiencing carryover problems, which occurs when solids and other contaminants leave the boilers with the steam. Solids carried in the steam can form deposits in non-return and other control valves, affecting system efficiency. The escaping solids can also enter process streams, leading to product quality issues. As the carryover problem worsened, the White Stone facility was unable to sustain good boiler cycles. Solenis team members worked closely with the White Stone maintenance staff to resolve the issue. This involved weekly interventions to diagnose likely causes, implement system tweaks, and analyze the results.

UPM Raflatac has received RecyClass recognition for PE Films with its Multipurpose UV acrylic adhesive technology - making UPM Raflatac the first ever pressure sensitive laminate producer to receive technology approval in this category. The granted recognition expands UPM Raflatac’s portfolio of RecyClass approved PE (polyethylene) label materials. These materials are recognized to be recycling compatible with colored and natural PE flexible films. Today’s consumers and brand owners demand product solutions where the sustainability aspects including packaging recyclability are carefully considered. As a significant trend which is only going to get bigger, UPM Raflatac is well positioned to cater for the growing market demands with its labeling solutions for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products which are by default designed to support recycling compatibility. “We are working towards a more sustainable and circular future. One big part of this is making plastic packaging recyclable. Labels not only serve as a carrier of information on flexible packages and packaging films, but also offer a functional purpose for example as closure systems. We are proud to be the first ever self-adhesive label company to provide RecyClass approved recycling compatible labeling solutions for PE flexible packaging,” says Katja Kivelä, Business Director, Food and HPC, Films & Specials SBU EMEIA, UPM Raflatac.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member and supporter, SCREEN Europe, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of production systems for the prepress and inkjet digital printing industries. SCREEN Europe’s portfolio includes cutting-edge inkjet presses renowned for their precision, speed, and versatility. These presses cater to diverse sectors such as commercial printing, packaging, labels, and industrial printing, enabling customers to meet their specific production needs efficiently. “SCREEN Europe’s commitment to innovation is evident through its continuous research and development efforts aimed at improving printing capabilities and addressing evolving market demands. By using advanced technologies and industry expertise, the SCREEN delivers solutions that enhance productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness for its clientele, whilst also focussing on improved sustainability.” says Juan Cano, Business Development Director for SCREEN Europe.

Forest Stewardship Council United States (FSC US) announced the appointment of Sarah Billig as its new President following a comprehensive internal and external search. Billig steps into the role succeeding Stuart Hale, Forestry Program Manager for the US and Canada Carbon Markets Team at The Nature Conservancy, who has been serving as Interim President while also Co-Chairing the Board of Directors. With nearly 25 years of expertise in forestry and natural resources management, Billig brings a wealth of experience to her new position. In her previous role as Stewardship Director at the Mendocino Companies, she was key in expanding sustainability initiatives, enhancing certified lands, and spearheading entry into new markets including carbon sequestration. “Sarah is coming to us with years of experience working with FSC, including previously Co-Chairing the FSC US Board and serving on multiple committees and working groups,” said Hale. “In addition, her experiences as someone working on and managing lands within the FSC system provide Sarah with valuable perspectives on the opportunities and challenges we face in achieving our strategic goals.”

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock today commended bipartisan U.S. Senate efforts urging the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to engage with the European Commission on the challenges of European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR): “The U.S. pulp and paper industry is not linked to global deforestation and forest degradation. As such, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – in its current form – poses significant concerns for our country. The rule presents severe compliance challenges, would disrupt sustainable supply chains, and imposes unwarranted and costly requirements for doing business with the E.U.

Are you an FSC certificate holder and need to comply with the upcoming EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR)? You might qualify to become an early adopter of FSC EUDR Aligned. Since the EUDR came into force in June 2023, FSC has been dedicated to strengthening its system and developing new technologies to support our certificate holders to meet these requirements. FSC EUDR Aligned will provide a set of integrated tools to tens of thousands of companies – at different points along the value chain and with vastly different needs – to help meet EUDR legality, sustainability, and due diligence obligations. We are ready to onboard a select number of companies to start testing our solutions.

TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS, a science-business platform connecting stakeholders across the forest value chain, has released today a new study on “Europe’s wood supply in disruptive times”, which captures the factors identified in numerous scientific studies influencing wood supply from European forests. It outlines the impacts of climate change and also considers other factors, such as political uncertainties and a fragmented forest landscape. Bridging the gap between science and application of insights, it highlights practical implications and response measures for the wood-based industry, forest management and policymakers. The study compiles findings of a wide range of scientific papers and research. Perspectives of different stakeholders have also been evaluated during the process.

FSC was selected as a member of the new 'Forest and Forestry Stakeholder Platform’ established by the European Commission. Dr. Marion Karmann, Senior Research Relations Manager, and Matteo Mascolo, Lead EU Affairs & Engagement, will represent FSC in that forum. The Platform gathers knowledge and expertise on forests and forestry-related matters. Members of the Platform will discuss the EU Forest Strategy for 2030’s implementation, policies to better monitor and protect European forests, and closer-to-nature forestry practices. Matteo Mascolo commented: "We are delighted to be an official member of the Platform. As a multi-stakeholder organization with 30 years of experience on the ground balancing economic, social, and environmental interests in forests, FSC shares the European Union’s goal of making forests resilient. We have knowledge, passion, data, and expertise that we are committed to share with the EU Commission."

Communities, family forest owners, and Indigenous Peoples have long been the unsung heroes of forest stewardship, their intimate connection to the land shaping sustainable practices for generations. As custodians of the world's forests, their role is pivotal in preserving biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of our ecosystems. Recognizing their significance, FSC has the Community and Family Forests Toolbox, a comprehensive set of solutions aimed at empowering these groups and enhancing their capacity to safeguard our forests. At the core of FSC's mission lies a profound respect for the expertise and wisdom of smallholders, communities, and Indigenous Peoples. These groups possess a deep spiritual connection to their land, fostering management practices that prioritize conservation and resilience. Through the Community and Family Forests Toolbox, FSC endeavors to amplify their voices and support their efforts in sustainable forest management.

Stakeholders globally are invited to give their feedback on the new PEFC EUDR DDS standard module. Deadline for comments is 7 May 2024. We have developed this new PEFC EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS) to help our PEFC chain of custody certified organisations comply with their EUDR obligations. This voluntary tool will be easily integrated within the current PEFC chain of custody processes, with companies deciding whether they implement the ST 2002 chain of custody DDS or replace it with the PEFC EUDR DDS, at product group level. Please fill in this form (https://podio.com/webforms/29454879/2420782) to receive the link to the draft standard module.

This standard that becomes effective from 15 June 2024, representing a significant step forward in FSC's commitment to fostering sustainable forestry practices in Botswana. FSC is pleased to announce the official release of the new FSC Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Botswana. This standard reflects FSC commitment to social responsibility, environmental protection, and economic sustainability by translating FSC's Principles and Criteria into effective forest management practices. The new IFSS for Botswana was developed between January 2022 and February 2023. This process included two stakeholder consultations and two face-to-face stakeholder consultation meetings held in Gaborone and Maun, respectively. The standard was finally approved on November 29, 2023.

Cooperation between the State Forests in Poland and FSC International was the subject of a meeting at the headquarters of the Directorate General of State Forests. Representatives from both institutions, as well as the Ministry of Climate and Environment, discussed the return to FSC certification. The meeting, held on 29 February 2024, was attended by Mikołaj Dorozala, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Jerzy Fijas, Deputy Director General of State Forests, and Kim Carstensen, Director General of FSC International. “I am very pleased that we were able to organize this meeting at such short notice,” said Minister Mikolaj Dorozala. “This is in line with the government's policy in the area of sustainable forest management that strengthens the natural and social functions of the forest, while increasing the competitiveness of the Polish timber sector.”

Eco-Products® announced an innovative new product line designed to make it easier for consumers, composters, and the entire foodservice value chain to differentiate between compostable and non-compostable products. All cups, lids, containers and cutlery in the new Veridian™ line feature the word “Compostable,” display the BPI Certification Mark signifying that the material is compostable, and include green or brown identification elements like tinting and striping that further help distinguish them from their non-compostable counterparts. “Consistent on-item labeling is essential to giving foodservice operators, their customers and composters the ability to quickly and easily identify products as compostable,” said Wendell Simonson, Director of Marketing at Eco-Products. “That’s what Veridian is all about.”

On 27 February we shared all the latest developments at PEFC as we progress on our roadmap to EUDR alignment. If you missed it, check out the recording. Over the two sessions, we were delighted to welcome 1500 participants interested to learn more about our progress in developing the PEFC EUDR solution for the market. Our PEFC experts took us through the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements, as well as looking at the vital data and integrity elements. See the webinar takeaways and FAQ, based on the questions received during the webinar:

In an era where digital solutions are seen as inherently sustainable, the print, paper and paper-based packaging industries play a crucial role in shaping environmentally friendly practices. Two Sides North America is at the forefront of this movement and plays a unique role as an industry advocate while directly taking on other corporations and industries that use greenwashing to spread misinformation about the environmental impact of paper products. Two Sides North America (TSNA) is part of the non-profit Two Sides Global network that includes more than 600 members in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Our membership includes companies and industry-allied organizations, both large and small, from across the entire value chain. TSNA research, outreach, and ongoing work are 100% funded by membership dues. Members of TSNA gain access to a wealth of resources while providing valuable tools and research to help keep the industry informed and able to address misguided environmental concerns about print and paper use in North America.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Spanish Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 3 May. Give your feedback. PEFC Spain 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 Spanish 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. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

Increasing regulatory requirements such as the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) and market pressure for responsibly produced products are posing a serious challenge to businesses, certification schemes and producers in agricultural and forest-based sectors. The RIA will develop and maintain credible risk assessments with a range of partners and across commodities offering value beyond the EUDR. Through an innovative and collaborative approach, the Alliance will encourage risk data sharing in a pre-competitive sphere and cut through the complex and costly landscape facing companies and sustainability systems. “Historically, businesses, certification schemes and other stakeholders have worked in isolation to evaluate risks. Without coordination, it is easy to imagine how they may come to different conclusions for the same indicators, wasting time, resources, and potential impact,” said David Hadley, Regulatory Impact Programme Director at Preferred by Nature.

Certification can help scale up business transformation and ensure that corporate actions not only address the environmental issues, but also the social and economic dimensions of sustainability, said Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, at the United Nations Environment Assembly today in Nairobi Kenya. He highlighted that with close to one million forest owners and tens of thousands of businesses certified, PEFC offers an ideal opportunity to scale up actions and deliver impacts beyond the scope of individual companies. Thorsten made his remarks during the Launch of the Business and Industry Major Group Beacon Projects Report 2024 side event at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6). The report showcases 35 leading Beacon Projects from across private-sector associations and institutions, highlighting the impact potential of these associations and their member companies. The report also illustrates the value-creation possible in developing or emerging economies and the transformative impacts that are achievable in local communities.

Crown Holdings, Inc. has entered a 15-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Enel Green Power España (EGPE), Endesa's renewable energy subsidiary, securing renewable electricity from a new PV project built in Badajoz, Spain. This deal will cover all of Crown's current operational footprint in European countries that are part of the Alliance of Issuing Bodies (AIB), which manages the European Energy Certificate System, allowing the Company to advance in its Twentyby30™ sustainability program. This agreement is Crown's first VPPA in Europe and demonstrates the Company's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to act locally. The project is expected to produce an annual output of 285,100 Megawatt hours (MWh), of which Crown is contracted for around 70%—saving the CO2 emissions equivalent of nearly 40,000 homes' electricity use for one year. Scheduled to start operation in October 2025, the renewable energy supply from the PV power plant follows Crown's earlier renewable energy project designed to address decarbonization and sustainability goals.

Sustainable forestry and land retention are closely linked, especially in the fiber baskets across the southeastern United States where Domtar buys wood from small landowners. Our company has supported efforts across the region to educate and advocate for land retention among families. This includes the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project in Eastern North Carolina. The focus of the program is to empower landowners to retain their land, generate income and maintain healthy and productive forests. “Our success is seen in continued partnerships where landowners are empowered to participate in forest management and other conservation activities, as well as policy and advocacy for forestry,” says Perry. “Our success is also seen in landowners realizing multiple economic streams from their property, such as reduced property taxes, hunting leases, agri-tourism or niche agriculture markets.”

The Spanish Forest Certification 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 4 March to 3 May 2024. PEFC Spain 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. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 4 March 2024 at 10:00 CET.

Walmart Inc. has achieved a milestone in removing greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain that it hadn’t expected to accomplish until 2030. More than 5,900 suppliers globally are engaged in Walmart’s Project Gigaton, an initiative the discounter launched in 2017 to avoid one gigaton (one billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide from its global value chain by 2030. By focusing projects on efforts like energy efficiency, packaging redesign, food waste reduction and trucking load optimization, Walmart says its suppliers have reported projects that are expected to exceed that one billion metric ton mark — helping the retailer reach its carbon reduction goal six years early.

Stakeholders globally are invited to give their feedback on the new PEFC RED II standards, developed to enable organisations to demonstrate compliance with RED II requirements and make RED II compliant declarations. Deadline for comments is 20 April 2024. RED II, the European Union’s (EU) Renewable Energy Directive, establishes sustainability requirements for forestry feedstocks and greenhouse gas criteria for biomass fuels that companies in the renewable energy sector across the EU must comply with to be eligible for financial support by public authorities. PEFC is currently in the process to be recognised by the European Commission as one of the voluntary schemes that organisations can use to make their RED II compliant declarations. Our recognition scope covers forest ligno-cellulosic material, including residues and waste, and biomass fuels made of this material.

Inks and coatings may provide the solution to enable further & future use of recycled plastic materials. Packaging needs to become more circular. Pressure for a more circular economy in packaging is mounting. Put simply, as packaging manufacturers are increasingly expected to consider how their products affect the environment, more and more are focusing on methods to minimise virgin material use. Ensuring that packaging can be recycled and reused supports efforts keep raw materials available in the supply chain. Furthermore, using recycled materials avoids extracting new resources causing negative environmental impacts. The ideal outcome of this is that materials are reused again and again, creating a ‘circular’ lifecycle, reducing carbon emissions, and ultimately supporting businesses in their sustainability efforts.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) announced up to $304 million in funding for four projects to pilot transformational technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) in Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas and Wyoming. Nonprofit research institute RTI International was selected for award negotiations to lead the carbon capture pilot in Mississippi in collaboration with International Paper (IP), SLB and Amazon. A first-of-its-kind for the pulp and paper industry, the pilot will be at IP's Vicksburg Containerboard Mill. The project aims to capture 120,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, an amount equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of nearly 27,000 gasoline-powered cars, and direct it to a site for permanent geologic storage. Phase 1 of this pilot project will conduct a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for a carbon capture system at IP's containerboard mill. If successful, subsequent phases would lead to permitting, construction and operation of a carbon capture plant.

Our commitment to championing the environmental merits of print, paper, and paper-based packaging remains steadfast. The Love Paper campaign, focussed on improving consumer perceptions of our products, reached a milestone in 2023 with over 2,000 advertisements featured in national newspapers and magazines. This initiative reaches more than 240 million consumers, communicating the sustainable story of magazines, newspapers, and all paper-based products. We are reaching more consumers every year. Across Europe, the problem of Greenwashing continues, with companies making misleading messages that portray digital communications as better for the environment. Slogans like “Go green, go paperless” not only misguide, but pose a significant threat to our industry. Two Sides actively engages businesses, brands, and organisations, urging them to refrain from making such deceptive statements regarding print and paper.

Metsä Group and technology supplier ANDRITZ have agreed to work together to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 3 emissions refer to emissions from the company's value chain and purchases, such as emissions during the sourcing of production equipment and raw materials and the transportation and use of manufactured products. The goal of the multi-year cooperation is to increase the effectiveness of emission reductions and to find completely new ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The companies have established a project group that will determine the most significant development targets, metrics and goals during 2024, with which the total emissions of the value chain can be reduced. "The collaboration is a significant step for both companies. It shows how important part of our sustainability work is to reduce emissions from the value chain and sourcing. Together, we will find new ways to manage greenhouse emissions that would not necessarily be recognized if companies were operating independently," says Jari Voutilainen, SVP Sourcing and Logistics at Metsä Group.

Stora Enso has, as a forest industry forerunner, developed a science-based framework to verify net positive impact on biodiversity. Through combining science, technology and data, the framework enables forecasting of biodiversity impact, which allows operations to be adapted towards a net positive goal. The partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will provide external expert insights for further development and validation of the framework. Stora Enso’s sustainability strategy focuses on climate change, biodiversity, and circularity, and the Company’s biodiversity goal is to have a net positive impact within its own forests and plantations through active management. IUCN is the leading non-profit nature conservation organisation globally, supporting companies with nature-positive tools and practices to reverse biodiversity loss. Stora Enso’s partnership with IUCN focuses on developing a framework to measure and disclose net positive biodiversity impact.

Tetra Pak is announcing several strategic investments designed to level up the recycling capacity for carton packages in the European Union (EU). The move supports the goals of the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), by ensuring that all packaging components are recycled and valuable raw materials are kept in circulation for longer, therefore showcasing the pivotal role of recycling in the green transition of the food packaging sector. In 2023, Tetra Pak invested nearly €40 million3 to accelerate beverage carton recycling worldwide and plans to increase this even further over the coming years to achieve greater material circularity. The recent initiatives and investments are set to boost the EU’s ability to recycle beverage cartons, including the non-fibre protective layers of polyethylene and aluminium, known as ‘polyAl’. This will be achieved by either unlocking new collaborations or by strengthening the capabilities of established recyclers to turn all materials from post-consumer cartons into new high-quality resources and goods.

We have launched a call for proposals for consultants to conduct research on PEFC positioning on the carbon arena. Recognising the importance of forests and PEFC certification in climate change mitigation, especially regarding greenhouse gas emission removal and avoidance, several PEFC national members have been working on the carbon initiatives with their own approaches. PEFC Carbon Task Force was established in August 2023 with the mandate to identify the PEFC carbon approaches that could be applied across the PEFC alliance. The PEFC carbon approaches should enable PEFC certificate holders to demonstrate the positive impact of PEFC certification in climate change mitigation and adaption. PEFC is looking for consultant(s) to conduct research on specific topics ensuring that the needed information is available, to support the Task Force in achieving its mandate.

Atlantic Packaging is named in CDP’s A List 2023 for its environmental transparency and performance on climate change. CDP is a global nonprofit that helps companies, cities, states, regions, and public authorities disclose their environmental impact. The organization annually grades entities based on their commitments to sustainability. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change questionnaire, Atlantic is one of 346 companies that achieved an ‘A’ out of over 21,000 companies scored. CDP scores are used to inform investment and procurement decisions that encourage a move toward a zero-carbon, sustainable, and resilient economy. In 2023, over 740 financial institutions with over $136 trillion in assets requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities through CDP’s platform. A record-breaking 23,000 companies responded.

The MM Group has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change, forests and water security by global environmental non-profit CDP. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change, Forests and Water Security questionnaires, the MM Group is one of only 10 companies that achieved a triple ‘A’, out of over 21,000 companies scored in 2023 – including listed companies worth two thirds global market capitalisation and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. A detailed and independent methodology is used by CDP to assess these companies, allocating a score of A to D- based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks. In addition, the demonstration of best practice associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets, is included in the assessment.

Tetra Pak has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on forests by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual ‘A List’. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Forests questionnaires, Tetra Pak is among the 2% of companies that achieved an ‘A’ score out of over 21,000 companies assessed.1 The company also reported on Climate Change and, for the first time, Water Security. Having recorded an ‘A-‘ score on both cemented Tetra Pak's inclusion in the CDP leadership band once again, as the only company in the carton packaging sector to do so. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) warns that nature is deteriorating at unprecedented rates, mainly due to human activities.2 Global food systems are the lead driver of nature loss,3 despite these systems depending on the services provided by nature.4, 5, 6 But it is not just about food security, it has been estimated that more than half of the world’s total GDP – $44 trillion of economic value generation – is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services.7

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Hungarian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 4 April. Give your feedback. The Hungarian Forest Certification Non-profit 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 Hungarian 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. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

Join us on 27 February to discover all the latest developments at PEFC as we progress on our roadmap to EUDR alignment. Register now! Our webinar will focus on the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements, as well as looking at the vital data and integrity elements. Our PEFC experts will give you a behind the scenes look at the progress of our working groups and task forces, working tirelessly to ensure we will have practical solutions in place to enable you to successfully implement EUDR. Once we’ve heard from our experts, we’ll open the webinar up to the audience for questions and answers.

A key part of FSC’s offer is the development of requirements for the FSC Regulatory Module: a voluntary module that complements existing FSC certification requirements to support EUDR compliance. It presents additional forest management, chain of custody and controlled wood requirements for organizations looking to use their FSC certification to support their efforts to demonstrate compliance with EUDR. The FSC Regulatory Module sets the framework and requirements to: *introduce a due diligence system to support EUDR compliance, including information collection, risk assessment and risk mitigation, *gather and transmit precise information on the origin of products (geolocation and time of production), and *adds further assurance that only deforestation-free material enters an FSC chain of custody value chain that needs to be EUDR compliant.

PEFC Portugal is the third member to achieve PEFC endorsement for their Trees outside Forests (TOF) requirements, opening the way to the first PEFC-certified trees growing outside of forests in the country. Incorporated into the Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard since 2018, Trees outside Forests requirements have widened the scope of PEFC certification. The endorsements of the first national TOF systems made certification accessible to millions of farmers managing trees on their land, and municipalities managing urban trees.

Two new standards for Forest Stewardship for the Kingdom of Thailand have been developed and approved for publication. Specifically, a standard for all forest types and scales (except Management Units smaller than 20 ha) and a complementary, locally adapted regional standard for smallholders with Management Units smaller than 20 ha have been developed. Both standards apply to private and state-owned forests with timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the scope. The locally adapted regional standard is part of a wider pilot. It currently focuses on forest plantations, but its extension to natural forests may be considered in the future. FSC Forest Stewardship Standards (FSS) are based on the Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship; the foundation of FSC certification schemes covering a broad range of issues, from maintaining high conservation value to community relations and workers’ rights, as well as monitoring the environmental and social impacts of forest management.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Canadian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 28 March. PEFC Canada revised their forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The Canadian 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. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

At PEFC, we are committed to halting deforestation and strongly support the objectives of the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). To provide our stakeholders with the latest information on EUDR implementation at the Commission level, we are sharing regular updates, so you have all the information you need in one place. To discover how PEFC is your partner for the EUDR, visit out EUDR website. You can also sign up to our Technical Matters newsletter to receive all the latest news and progress. The Commission addressed the most frequent questions received from relevant stakeholders in the latest EUDR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) available here. The document will be updated over time.

2023 was another year with substantial seedling deliveries from SCA’s seedling operation NorrPlant. During the year, 102.9 million seedlings were delivered, which is almost five million more seedlings compared with 2022. “Our seedlings are of excellent quality and there is a high level of external demand. We now deliver seedlings to almost all of Sweden,” says Thomas Vestman, Head of NorrPlant. Work at SCA’s Bogrundet and Wiftstamon nurseries has progressed well during the year. “We grew 111 million seedlings and of these delivered 102.9 million in 2023, of which approximately 60% to external customers and the rest to SCA’s own forests in Sweden and the Baltic region,” says Thomas. Most of the 102.9 million seedlings delivered were pine seedlings and about one third were spruce seedlings. NorrPlant also delivered a small percentage of contorta pine seedlings and about one million larch seedlings. “Pine dominates land owned by SCA. Deliveries of pine seedlings are also increasing to our external customers,” says Thomas.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating condition of workers and trade union rights in Myanmar since February 2021. FSC urges all its certificate holders (CHs) and certification bodies in Myanmar to support FSC’s mandate to respect human rights and the right to free collective bargaining as provided within the International Labour Organization (ILO) charter. This is in line with the requirements stated in the FSC Chain of Custody standard. At their 96th Board Meeting, the FSC International Board of Directors mandated FSC International to send letters to all the FSC-certified CHs in Myanmar recording FSC’s concern about the situation in Myanmar and insisting that CHs respect human rights and the right to free collective bargaining.

PEFC has 25 years of experience in enabling dialogue on sustainable forest management. We meet the challenge of EUDR no differently: bringing different experts and stakeholders together, building consensus, and providing a solution to the market that gives flexibility and responds to the needs of our stakeholders. We have put in place a cross-functional plan to cover the different aspects within EUDR. Aligned to our inclusive dialogue and bottom-up approach, PEFC members and external experts are participating in working groups and task forces to develop our PEFC EUDR solution for the market. To help our PEFC chain of custody certified organisations comply with their EUDR obligations, we are developing an EUDR adapted DDS (due diligence system).

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member and supporter, Weatherbys, the horseracing administrator founded in 1770. As the latest member of Two Sides, Weatherbys is set to amplify its commitment to sustainability, with a specific focus on its renowned print services to the racing industry. Celebrating 250 years in 2020, Weatherbys stands as a stalwart provider of racing services to the horseracing industry. Beyond the well-known printing, design, and fulfillment of racecards, Weatherbys offers a comprehensive suite of services, including pedigree research, publishing and marketing. In recent months, the business announced a print partnership with Northampton Town FC, building on the relationship which has seen Weatherbys design and print The Cobbler, the official magazine of Northampton Town FC for over 15 years.

Showcasing its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Mactac® has again been recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for recyclability of its pressure-sensitive label materials. APR recently announced that Mactac has earned Critical Guidance Recognition (CGR) for its polypropylene pressure-sensitive label materials with hot-melt adhesive for rigid polypropylene containers. Label materials were proven compatible with polypropylene container recycling practices, exceeding the strictest criteria for product packaging recyclability. Mactac is the first manufacturer to earn CGR for a hot-melt adhesive for polypropylene recycling applications. Mactac was also the first manufacturer to earn CGR for a hot-melt adhesive for high-density polyethylene containers, which it received in 2023.

The Canadian Forest Certification 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 29 January to 28 March 2024. PEFC Canada revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its national forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. To provide you with additional information about this revised national system, we are holding a webinar on 29 January, at 16:00 CET. Register for the webinar at https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/14a8431f-f083-4028-8130-0429b021d8ac@cd75f75a-3441-4da3-bd89-4b993277c652

In a fast-changing world the Forest Stewardship Council is fundamentally changing its risk evaluations for forests. The next generation of risk assessments will replace the current way of assessing risks in forestry as part of the current controlled wood concept. In an enhanced approach the new risk assessments will be of use for the production of FSC Mix products within the current controlled wood concept; but will also serve as a tool for risk evaluation in regards to new legal requirements such as the EUDR. These new risk assessments will therefore become an invaluable tool for companies to efficiently assess and mitigate risks. While doing so, FSC is going one step further by aiming for an alliance between partners facing similar challenges. This Risk Information Alliance will foster global sustainability leadership by collaborating with other sustainability leaders. The focus is on developing a single, standardized Risk Assessment framework that will benefit both certified and non-certified companies.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member and supporter, Acorn Web Offset, the specialist A5 and A4 magazine printer. Acorn Web is a specialist magazine printer of weekly, fortnightly, monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly periodicals. They produce high-quality, low cost magazines printed in A4 and A5 format, along with printed catalogues. “We’re delighted Acorn is now a member of Two Sides. Sustainability is a highly important subject with our customers wanting more information in relation to their printing requirements. We are constantly looking at ways to reduce not just our waste paper but all waste that we produce both in the manufacturing plant and in the office, segregating and sending for recycling."

In a move to tackle the escalating issue of electronic waste (e-waste), the UK government has unveiled plans that will see producers and retailers covering the costs of recycling. From 2026 onwards, consumers can expect enhanced routes for disposing of electronic goods responsibly, marking a significant step towards a sustainable and circular economy. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) recently released a consultation outlining the initiative, emphasising a shift from taxpayer-funded disposal methods to a model where retailers bear the responsibility. This forward-looking approach aims to collect electronic waste, ranging from cables to toasters and power tools, directly from consumers’ homes or during their weekly shopping trips. Material Focus, a not-for-profit organization, reported that nearly half a billion small electrical items found their way to landfills last year. The issue intensifies during festive seasons, such as Christmas, when a staggering 500 tonnes of Christmas lights are discarded. With the upcoming measures set to take effect in 2026, the government envisions retailers stepping up to cover the costs, reducing the burden on taxpayers.

Two Sides North America (TSNA) announced that Kathi Rowzie will retire as its president effective February 1. Over the past four years, Rowzie has led the non-profit membership organization chartered to eliminate unsubstantiated and misleading environmental claims about print, paper and paper-based packaging and to promote the paper industry’s continuously improving sustainability performance. Under Rowzie’s leadership, TSNA has persuaded dozens of major corporations, government agencies and other organizations to remove unsubstantiated environmental claims about paper from their customer communications, resulting in the elimination of billions of instances of anti-paper greenwashing. Since 2020, TSNA has also increased its LinkedIn followers by 125%; initiated and conducted two Trend Tracker research studies which showed incremental improvement in consumer attitudes toward paper products and the environment; significantly increased engagement with the media on paper-related sustainability issues; introduced the “3 Minutes with Two Sides” podcast; redesigned TSNA educational materials to make them more user friendly; and more.

In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, the shift towards renewable, bio-based plastics is gaining momentum. The motivation behind this shift is clear – we want to see a circular tomorrow, where materials circulate constantly and where carbon added to the cycle is taken from the air by crops and trees that grow back. FDCA, a key player in this green transition, can be efficiently produced from sustainably grown plants. FuraCore® by Stora Enso takes this a step further, introducing an innovative process that addresses traditional challenges associated with FDCA production. FuraCore® by Stora Enso emerges as a breakthrough technology, revolutionizing the production of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a crucial component for bio-based plastics.

Hearst and Manulife Investment Management today announced the completion of a sale to Hearst of approximately 20,000 acres of sustainably managed forests in Northern California. The forests, which are centered around McCloud, California, have a rich history of industrial forest management dating back to the initial settlement of the town of McCloud in 1897. These mixed species forests have long since been a source of raw material for many of the region’s forest products facilities and in doing so contribute positively to the economy of the area. Manulife Investment Management had been managing these forests on behalf of their investors since 1991. The forests will be added to Hearst’s current timberland ownership of 62,000 acres in the same area operated by Hearst Forests LLC, a subsidiary of Hearst. Hearst owns and sustainably manages a total of 238,000 acres of timber and ranch land in California, including the Hearst Ranch at San Simeon, the Jack Ranch and Hearst Forests in McCloud.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member, the European Manufacturers Paper Honeycomb Association (EMPHA), the pan-European association for manufacturers of paper honeycomb core and paper honeycomb board products. Packaging and product design, inspired by trees and bees. Founded in Amsterdam in 2010, EMPHA aims to represent the paper honeycomb core industry. Paper honeycomb, or simply ‘Honeycomb’ as it is addressed informally, has the best-in-class characteristics through the combination of superior strength and rigidity because of its unique form of hexagonal shaped cells. The strength and rigidity are paired with extreme low aerial weight per cubic metre. These functional elements make paper honeycomb an attractive alternative for designers of protective packaging or as the base material for the production of doors, acoustic walls, exhibition panels and even furniture.

Join us for our Partners Webinar taking place on the 24th of January 2024, from 9.30 - 11.30 (GMT London). We will give you an update on our activity, results in 2023, and focus on the tools, resources and information that your business can use. We will cover the Love Paper campaign, which tells consumers the great sustainable story of our products, and how you can become involved. Our guest speaker is Andrea Boltho, Lecturer and Director of Oxford Economics, presenting his thoughts on “Where is the European Economy Going? More uncertainties than ever”. At various stages, Andrea has been a consultant to the World Bank, the OECD and member of the Academic Council of the IFO Institute, Munich, as well as Visiting Professor in various European universities. He's been a Member of the Board of Finmeccanica and is a Director of Oxford Economics. Register in advance for the webinar here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QcgHRa3TRPilZxuZ2zQbvw

This standard specifies basic requirements applicable at the forest management level for organizations to demonstrate that the materials produced and supplied from those management units conform to the requirements specified in the 5 categories of this standard which are as follows: 1. Forest management and trade that respects and upholds legality; 2. Forest management that respects and upholds customary and human rights, including those that are defined in The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; 3. Forest management that maintains or enhances social, cultural, environmental, and high conservation values (HCV); 4. Forest management that prevents deforestation and degradation; 5. Forest management that is free of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).

As we look toward the New Year, Two Sides North America has a lot to celebrate! With the help of our members and supporters who submitted greenwashing claims from their service providers, we’ve broken our all-time annual record with 30 additional wins in our Anti-greenwashing Campaign in 2023! These wins collectively represent more than 200 million North American consumers who are no longer seeing unsubstantiated environmental claims about paper from their financial institutions, utilities, insurance companies, government agencies and other organizations. But there’s more work to do! As companies face inflationary pressures, they’re looking for ways to cut costs. In many cases, this means urging their customers to go paperless and using misleading environmental claims about paper to get them to make the switch. And we know this tactic works! Two Sides North America research showed that 65% of U.S. consumers who’ve seen greenwashing claims are influenced to switch from paper to electronic communications.

Biodiverse nature and climate-friendly wood supply form the basis of Stora Enso's renewable business, from forest to products. In its company-wide sustainability targets, Stora Enso is committed to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to have a net positive impact on biodiversity by improving the diversity of species, habitats, and landscapes. Take a closer look on some of the company’s concrete actions in forests and wood supply in Finland and Sweden in 2023. Stora Enso continued wetland restoration in Finland and started new projects in Sweden. Stora Enso piloted a biodiversity premium for forest owners in Finland. Stora Enso started floating pulp wood in Finland after a 14-year break. Stora Enso took steps to increase mixed forests by decreasing spruce density in Finland. Stora Enso continued controlled burnings on its forest land in Sweden to promote habitats for various species that prefer or are dependent on forest fires. Stora Enso, Tornator and WWF continued their cooperation for forest streams. Stora Enso’s effort to protect the endangered sand lizard broke records.

Twenty years after FSC certification of the first forest management unit in Romania, the country now has national representation by FSC International. To celebrate this, all interested parties met on 31 October 2023 near Brasov, in the central part of the country and close to nature – a reminder that forests and their values is what brings us all together. Romania is well known for its extensive forest cover and well-connected forest landscapes, where no patch is more than 1 km from an adjacent forest (Stancioiu et al., 2018). The Carpathian mountains in Romania still harbour large tracts of pristine and biodiverse forests, which boast thriving populations of wildlife in healthy ecosystems. In addition, large local communities have lived in these forests for centuries. Local people consider the forests part of their cultural identity, and their life is closely linked to locally-grown wood – from timber for their houses to raw materials for daily life to the use of large amounts of firewood.

Soilfood Oy has been selected as the winner of Metsä Group’s sustainability competition for suppliers. The company produces soil improvement materials for farms and recycled materials for industry from the waste and side streams of the forest industry, for example. This year, Metsä Group invited service and product suppliers to its first sustainability competition, which received a total of 92 entries. Soilfood uses side streams containing nitrogen, phosphorus, lime and carbon, among others, in its products. “Instead of being burned, these materials arising from our production are reused and returned to nature to improve the growth conditions of fields. The material obtained from forest industry waste also reduces the need for new raw materials in the production of fertilisers. Our cooperation with Soilfood is a good example of the circular economy, which benefits all parties,” says Katja Tuomola, VP, Sustainability Management at Metsä Group.

The search for the new FSC US president is underway! There is still time to apply – see more information about the position and how to apply here: https://www.odgersberndtson.com/media/d4cipetx/ob-fsc-us-president-position-brief.pdf We encourage your expressions of interest or formal applications be submitted to Odgers Berndtson by the end of the year. Additionally, anyone who might like to have a conversation in confidence can reach out directly to derek.wilkinson@odgersberndtson.com to arrange that conversation.

Global print consumables supplier Flint Group has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, outlining the organisation's performance in the critical areas of social, economic and environmental responsibility. It is the company's first Sustainability Report since 2020 and marks a revised approach to sustainability reporting for Flint Group. Flint Group’s sustainability report offers all stakeholders greater insight into its sustainability initiatives and performance. In addition to demonstrating progress in the vital areas of resource efficiency and carbon footprint reduction, the report details the company's sustainability targets and PRISM sustainability framework, which focuses on three core areas: Product, Planet, and People.

Metsä Group is exploring possibilities to construct a carbon capture facility at one of its pulp or bioproduct mills. The investigation is a continuation of the work initiated in the spring, in which Metsä Group and Fortum jointly studied the capture of wood-based carbon dioxide and its use in the chemical industry and hydrogen economy, for example. According to Pirita Mikkanen, Metsä Group’s VP, Energy, wood-based carbon dioxide is a major production side stream in the forest industry, and it could be used more efficiently. “Our cooperation with Fortum has given us good experiences of and greater insight into carbon capture. I believe we can use wood-based carbon dioxide emissions much more than we currently do. We see new cooperation opportunities with the chemical industry, among others.”

Smurfit Kappa, a global leader in sustainable packaging, and the print and paper advocacy association, Two Sides, fully support the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) as part of Europe’s Green Deal objectives. The legislation faces a crucial moment at the EU Council of Environmental Ministers on 18 December. The Council will have to decide whether it supports the European Parliament in acknowledging that both reuse and recycling systems go hand in hand in the interest of a greener Europe. The European cardboard industry has had, for decades, the best recycling system of all packaging materials. Total corrugated cardboard production in the EU is more than 30 million tonnes per year out of which over 90 per cent is recycled. A cardboard box can be recycled up to 25 times making it the most recycled packaging material in Europe. And when it isn’t, it’s still 100% biodegradable which means it disappears in nature within four months unlike other non-recyclable materials.

Stora Enso remains committed to deliver on its existing 2030 target to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 50% from the 2019 baseline. This target is aligned with the 1.5-degree scenario and is approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Stora Enso will continue its decarbonisation journey to improve energy efficiency and to switch from fossil-based energy sources to renewable ones. Stora Enso will further improve its Scope 3 performance by enhancing efficiency and lowering carbon intensity in the value chain, collaborating with its raw material suppliers, logistics suppliers, and customers. Signatories of The Climate Pledge agree to: – Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis. – Implement decarbonisation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies. – Neutralise any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040.

UPM has been listed as the only forest and paper industry company in the Dow Jones Global and European Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the years 2023-2024. The indices cover environmental, social and governance aspects of responsibility. "In a rapidly changing world, companies need to accelerate their pace and commit to long-term, tangible sustainability actions. UPM has a unique role to lead the transition towards a future beyond fossils. We enable our customers and consumers achieve their own sustainability targets and contribute positively to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have also adopted a transparent and holistic approach to reporting to meet the ever-expanding demands of our stakeholders," says Sami Lundgren, Vice President of Responsibility at UPM.

A new survey that finds consumers value-minded this holiday season also ranks the brands they perceive as most sustainable. Bombas was rated the top sustainable brand, followed by Yeti and The North Face, according to Stifel’s “Sustainable Lifestyle Brands Index,” which ranks brands based on U.S. active/casual lifestyle consumer perception of brand sustainability practices. The brands were measured according to three metrics of sustainability: environmental, social and ethical business practices. The Index was released in conjunction with a survey in which Stifel, working with Morning Consult, surveyed 6,053 U.S. active/causal lifestyle brand consumers ages 18-55. The survey data indicates heightened price sensitivity, just as the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear.

It’s important that the use of water to make products doesn’t result in contamination of waterways. Pulp and paper manufacturing requires a large amount of water, and facilities are often located near rivers or lakes to be close to a good water supply. Once the water is used in the process, it is treated in an effluent treatment plant, and regulatory standards have been established to ensure that the final discharged effluent meets government environmental regulations for the protection of waterways. EPAT provides water quality data, such as TSS, COD, BOD and AOX, to its users and they can be especially useful to buyers of paper-based products who are tracking the environmental performance of their paper or packaging suppliers.

In our increasingly environmentally conscious world, it’s common for companies to tout their green initiatives and environmentally friendly practices, and that’s just good business. But all too often, companies claim benefits – like the environmental superiority of “recyclable plastic” packaging or “going green” by switching from paper to electronic communications — as a way to cloak poor environmental performance or mask cost-cutting efforts. With no sound scientific evidence to back them up, these types of claims are textbook greenwashing. Some of the consequences of greenwashing are obvious. Clearly, unsubstantiated environmental claims mislead consumers, often causing them to take actions they would not otherwise consider. Greenwashing claims can also cause reputational harm, not only damaging the credibility of companies that make such claims, but also casting doubt over the valid claims of companies that are contributing to real environmental progress. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s “Green Guides” provide very specific guidance related to environmental claims, stating that “claims must be truthful, not misleading and supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.” Unfortunately, this guidance is often ignored.

A new plastics sorting facility inaugurated in Sweden this week is being billed as the largest of its kind, and one designed to double the amount of plastic packaging materials being recycled in the Nordic country. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, the Site Zero plant in the central city of Motala can sort up to 200,000 tons of plastic packaging a year, according to Sweden Plastic Recycling, a nonprofit company co-owned by Swedish plastics, food and trade industry groups. The company says that’s more than any other sorting facility in the world. A unique feature of Site Zero is that it can separate up to 12 different types of plastic. An old plant at the same location could only sort five types of plastic, which meant that only 47% of the material was sent on for recycling and the rest was incinerated, said Mattias Philipsson, CEO of Sweden Plastic Recycling.

Crown Holdings, Inc. has announced the latest winners of its annual Chairman's Sustainability Awards, which honor individual manufacturing facilities within the Company's global network for exemplary contributions across three categories – Environmental, Safety and Social. This year's awards cycle marks the 10th anniversary of the program and celebrates the collective effort of its widespread team throughout the last decade. Winners of the 2023 awards are as follows: *Crown's LaCrosse, Wisconsin beverage can plant won the Environmental Sustainability Award, which recognizes excellence in environmental protection by minimizing the impact of the Company's operations, reducing material consumption or improving recycling or reuse of resources. *Two plants received this year's Sustainability Award for Safety for their efforts to prioritize employee health, improve accident prevention and ensure a safe working environment: Crown's Ponta Grossa, Brazil beverage can plant and the Bengaluru, India (Prime Bulk) facility in the Company's Transit Packaging Division. *Receiving special honor this year is Crown's Osmaniye, Turkey beverage can plant, which earned the Social Sustainability Award for activities that significantly impact the well-being of the workforce and the local community.

DS Smith unveiled a major investment to transform the paper mill's energy supply at its site in Normandy, near Rouen. The project includes replacing the coal-fired boiler with a new biomass boiler that will reduce the site's emissions by 99,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. * The 56 MW Valmet high-tech boiler will supply at least 80% of the site's heat demand and will be fully operational by the first quarter of 2025. It will be fuelled by 94,000 tonnes of biofuel, 30% of which will come from plant by-products (pulper waste) and 70% from waste wood sources such as furniture and demolition waste. Engie Solutions will operate the boiler, which will allow for the possibility for the future installation of a steam turbine capable of producing around 10 MW of electricity with a maximum steam supply of 65 t/h.

Important update for companies still certified against the 2013 version of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard. After 31 December 2023, certificates issued against the 2013 version of PEFC ST 2002 and PEFC ST 2001 will no longer be valid. This is an extension from the previously announced date of 14 November 2023, to enable all certification bodies to complete the issue of 2020 certificates to their certified companies. There will be no further extensions and therefore, from 1 January 2024 any remaining 2013 certificates will automatically lose their validity and will be shown as expired on the PEFC database. To be certified against the 2020 versions of the PEFC Chain of Custody and PEFC Trademarks standards, companies need to adapt their chain of custody management system and procedures to the revised requirements.

WestRock announced it has entered into two virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) with ENGIE North America (ENGIE), a subsidiary of ENGIE S.A. and global leader in the net zero energy transition. The VPPAs are designed to add renewable energy to the U.S. energy grid and mark a step forward in WestRock’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The agreements support two of ENGIE’s solar projects – Bernard Creek located in Wharton County, Texas and Chillingham Solar located in Bell County, Texas – for an aggregate of 282 megawatts (MW). The new projects comprise one element of WestRock’s strategy to pursue a science-based target (SBT) to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5% by 2030. Schneider Electric provided advisory services and strategy management for the WestRock and ENGIE agreements.

The global demand for forest-based products is anticipated to increase by a third by 2035, and quadruple by 2050. This escalation is fueled by population growth, urbanization, and the cross-industry drive towards net-zero emissions. However, as outlined by WWF, our forests cannot simultaneously meet this escalating demand and be managed sustainably. To protect biodiversity and forest ecosystems, we must develop scalable solutions for the use but also reuse of forest-based materials. FSC is committed to fulfill our mission to safeguard our forests and to continuously adapt to fit the needs and challenges of future generations. To achieve this and maintain our ability to find future solutions for the numerous companies utilizing our systems as a cornerstone in their sustainability efforts, we are prioritizing to make it easier for companies to implement circular setups within the FSC standards and frameworks.

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, has signed a commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for setting emissions reduction goals that align with science-based emissions targets. The SBTi is a global body that enables businesses to set ambitious emissions reduction goals in line with the latest research in climate science. Science-based targets show companies and financial institutions how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to prevent the worst effects of climate change. In addition to defining and promoting science-based target-setting best practices, the SBTi offers companies resources and guidance and independently assesses and approves their targets. As a next step, Solenis will develop near-term science-based emissions reduction targets and submit them to SBTi for validation.

On Friday, November 3 (November 4 in the print edition), the Wall Street Journal published an article titled Citi to Cardholders: Go Paperless or Else about Citigroup’s decision to cut off all online and app communications with their customers who refuse to go paperless. Two Sides North America sent the following letter to the editors of the WSJ the same day. Citigroup’s Paperless Mistake: Recent survey data validates the backlash shown on the WSJ website in response to Citigroup’s decision to cut off all electronic communications to consumers who refuse to go paperless. Commissioned by Two Sides North America and conducted by international research firm Toluna, the survey showed that 81% of Americans, including more than half of 18- to 24-year-olds, believe they should have the right to choose between paper and electronic communications from their banks and other service providers, and 73% believe they should not be charged extra for receiving a paper bill or statement. 46% of consumers said they would consider switching to an alternate provider if their current one forced them to go paperless, up from 41% in 2021.

America Recycles Day is annually celebrated in November, but at Pratt Industries, recycling is always top of mind. We are proud to partner with local communities, municipalities and businesses to help educate, encourage and enable good recycling habits. From classrooms to boardrooms, Pratt Recycling is ready to assist with your sustainability and zero waste objectives and to have some fun along the way. “Pratt Recycling partners with organizations, businesses, institutions and communities to annually recover more than 3 million tons of paper and other recyclables, diverting this material from landfills” says Shawn State, President of Pratt Recycling, Inc. “We receive material from every major metro area east of Oklahoma City, including: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, and others.”

Mondi has been again recognised as one of the leading sustainability reporters in the annual ‘Reporting Matters’ evaluation by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Mondi’s 2022 Sustainable Development (‘SD) report is ranked in the ‘Top performer’ category outlining companies with high reporting standards and precision in content and data quality. Mondi’s SD report 2022 is commended for the strong integration of sustainability in the Group’s strategy and its consistent creative concept. The report received top scores in the categories of ‘Completeness’, ‘Operating context’, ‘Stakeholder engagement’, ‘Sustainability governance’, ‘Strategy’ and ‘Partnerships & collaboration’. Mondi’s SD reports have been included to the ‘Top performer’ category since 2018.

UPM Raflatac has made further progress toward a more circular economy for plastics and a future beyond fossils in 2022. The progress towards 2025 commitments is detailed in the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment 2023 Progress Report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The report provides transparency on how major businesses are addressing the plastic pollution crisis. “We joined the Global Commitment five years ago as the first label materials company. As a supplier in the packaging value chain, this presents an opportunity to transparently showcase our actions to provide solutions for brands and designers as they aim for more circular packaging,” says Robert Taylor, Sustainability Director, UPM Raflatac.

Metsä Group and Valmet are jointly developing a comprehensive operating model to ensure sustainability in technology and maintenance investments. The model will address various aspects of sustainability related to the environment, social responsibility and governance (ESG). It will be used to verify the sustainability of the process technology projects delivered by Valmet to Metsä Group and the related supply chains. Metsä Group and Valmet have set up a joint working group to develop and deploy the sustainability model. The goal is to adopt the model by 2027. “As part of its strategic 2030 sustainability targets, Metsä Group is committed to ensuring that its supply network operates sustainably. Valmet is a large technology and service provider in the forest industry’s value chain, and its operations and procurement cover an extensive geographical area. By jointly scrutinising the chain’s sustainability in ever greater detail, we ensure that the forest industry’s positive impacts spread beyond the wood-processing value chain,” says Jari Voutilainen, Metsä Group’s SVP, Sourcing and Logistics.

Colbert Packaging (colbertpkg.com) was presented the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment award for Environmental Innovation from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). In its 33rd year, the goal of the statewide award is to recognize businesses for programs that demonstrate an innovative approach to environmental protection, or a level of effort beyond that which is required for regulatory compliance. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition from the WMC,” said Colbert President and COO, John Lackner. “As a converter of paperboard packaging solutions, we are committed to developing new and better ways to utilize fiber-based packaging as an alternative to plastics. Our commitment to the environment extends beyond our products, through all our business practices and out into the community.” Craig Summerfield, director of environmental and energy policy for WMC added, “Congratulations to our friends at Colbert Packaging for demonstrating their commitment to environmental protection, not because of some burdensome regulation, but because it’s good for the future.”

Two Sides has been busy this year, working on behalf of our members to eliminate anti-paper greenwashing claims, to help educate industry stakeholders on hot environmental topics and to conduct research on consumer attitudes toward our industry and its products. To give you a view of what we’ve been up to, here are some of the highlights. Through 3Q24, Two Sides’ Anti-greenwashing Campaign has persuaded 24 more corporations and other organizations to eliminate anti-paper greenwashing claims, which translates to 100 million more consumers who are no longer seeing misleading environmental claims about paper products from their service providers. We are in conversation with several other large companies right now, and continue to pursue claims as we find them. It’s important to note that Two Sides is the only industry organization that directly challenges the senior leadership of major corporations, government entities, educational institutions and other organizations to remove unsubstantiated and misleading environmental claims about paper products.

Stora Enso has launched a new operating model at its logging sites in Finland to improve the vitality and biodiversity of forests. In practice, this is done by reducing the density of planted spruce from 1,800 seedlings per hectare to 1,600 seedlings per hectare. This will increase mixed-species forests, which is one of the overarching objectives of Stora Enso’s biodiversity programme and part of the actions both in Finland and Sweden. A mixed forest is defined as a forest in which the main tree species does not exceed 75% of the growing stock. It may consist of coniferous trees (such as spruce or pine), broadleaved trees (such as birch), or a mixture of both. These kinds of forests are the environments where biodiversity prospers: especially broadleaved trees create vital habitats for many endangered species. Currently, broadleaves are a minority in boreal forests, which is why concrete actions are needed. As a new endeavor, forestry operations in Finland have expanded their biodiversity programme with the plan to decrease the density of spruce seedlings. Unlike many other tree species, spruce thrives also in the shadow. This means that when planting density is reduced, the spruce seedlings will let in more sunlight and thus create better conditions for other natural tree species, such as pine and birch. Forests that consist of diverse tree species are also more adaptive to the changes and risks posed by climate change..

As a family business, the Koehler Group focuses not on its quarterly results, but rather on the long-term future and generations to come. In this second sustainability report, the company provides the first details of its 2030 sustainability strategy and the ambitious targets that it has set itself as a business. The United Nations (UN) has set out sustainable development targets in its 2030 Agenda. All members of the UN – 193 countries worldwide – have committed to implement these targets, known as SDGs. Although the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are first and foremost intended for nation-states, the Koehler group, as a family business, firmly believes that it too has a role to play in meeting these targets. To this end, it has now published its 2030 sustainability strategy for the very first time, setting out the company’s roadmap to sustainable growth. The 2030 sustainability strategy sets out the Koehler plan to ensure all the financial, social, and environmental aspects of the Koehler Group come together to create a more sustainable future.

As the world grapples with the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, it’s time for bold, decisive action. The private sector plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability, not only within their own operations but also through support for responsible forestry initiatives. In our "Unite in the Forest Fight" blog series, this is the first of three articles that unpacks the importance of forests in our collective efforts against the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. The climate crisis and biodiversity loss are intertwined crises that demand urgent attention. The temperature rises signifies more than just a number – it’s the line between manageable challenges and catastrophe. While we can mitigate some effects at various temperatures, crossing the 1.5°C threshold reveals a tipping point we’re beginning to experience. However, it's not about doom and gloom; it's about recognizing the power we hold to make positive change. The path to a sustainable future is within reach, and the private sector plays a significant role.

The race to combat the climate crisis and biodiversity loss demands on credible action from businesses. In this second blog of the "Unite in the Forest Fight" series, we explore the importance of verified data to showcase tangible impact. Discover how supporting sustainable forestry can drive meaningful change and enhance your business’s reputation. Acting on the climate crisis and biodiversity loss not only boosts competitiveness and financial performance, but also demonstrates social responsibility, while earning customer loyalty and investor support. Regardless of your sector, your business must adopt a robust sustainability strategy to remain relevant. But a strategy alone isn’t enough. Making commitments without follow-through can be risky and may see support for the business dwindle. Added to this is the renewed sense of urgency to do more, faster, as scientists warn that we’re inching perilously closer to an increasingly uninhabitable Earth. The current trajectory suggests we will potentially exceed the 1.5°C temperature-increase limit outlined in the Paris Agreement1.

Proving you’re contributing to the world’s net-zero by 2050 goal is now a business imperative. In this third blog of the "Unite in the Forest Fight" series, we share how companies’ forest stewardship is unlocking tangible benefits with verified data. For far too long, the value of forests has been measured by the quantity of commercial products we can take from them. Unsustainable harvesting of timber, rubber, and other forest products are taking their toll, as is continued deforestation for expansion of agricultural land for livestock feed production, such as soy and, and for crops such as palm oil1. It’s no surprise that each year approximately 12 million hectares of forest are destroyed2. Traditionally, economic incentives have prioritized degradation and conversion at the expense of conservation, often neglecting the vital efforts of forest managers. Yet, as the world confronts the imperative of achieving a global net-zero by 2050, forest stewardship finally finds its rightful place in the spotlight.

Water is essential in the pulp and paper industry, which is why at Lecta we prioritize the efficient use of this valuable natural resource. Our mills have a high rate of water recycling, and the amount discharged is almost equal to the intake. Even though our outlet water is within regulated legal limits, we continue to work on improving water quality to reduce our environment footprint even further and constantly monitor waste disposal. In addition, in our mills there are also closed water systems, in which water is reused repeatedly. Lecta is ambitious in continuing to anticipate and carefully manage our water usage and consumption through increasingly efficient processes and water management strategies

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear told members of the European Parliament that the international governing body should embrace realistic, achievable timelines to reduce emissions, rejecting California’s unrealistic and unreasonable timelines. “California’s development of the Advanced Clean Truck and Advanced Clean Fleet rules aim to create a zero-emission vehicle market beginning next year. Given where the technology, infrastructure, power grid, cost and operational requirements stand, these regulations will undoubtedly fail to deliver the vehicles and market adoption California seeks,” Spear said in his testimony. “California’s response is predictable: They will just adjust the timelines and percentage targets, unleashing even more uncertainty for the industry. This was the case for the passenger vehicle industry, and we expect history to repeat itself.” ATA has consistently called for unified regulations across all 50 states. Spear noted that next year, because of California’s extreme regulatory push, the industry will be forced to contend with dueling regulatory regimes – one for California and one for the other 49 states.

Domtar has partnered with PRINTING United Alliance to plant trees as a result of a special sustainability program for PRINTING United Expo 2023. For each registrant at the PRINTING United Expo, Domtar will plant two trees in coordination with local landowners. The event is being held Oct. 18-20 in Atlanta. The seedlings will be planted in early 2024. Participants will have a lasting effect on forestlands just by registering for the event. Last year, the event attracted around 30,000 participants. If participation stays on pace with 2022, more than 60,000 seedlings will be planted in partnership with small forest landowners who work with Domtar to manage their forests responsibly. “We’re delighted to collaborate with PRINTING United Alliance on this initiative, to highlight sustainable forestry and our ongoing efforts to support responsible stewardship of forestlands,” says Paige Goff, vice president of sustainability for Domtar.

The Washington Times recently featured an opinion piece by an advocate for the plastics industry that included multiple unsubstantiated environmental claims about paper-based packaging. Two Sides North America submitted the following letter to the editors in response. To the editors: Why is it that whenever someone wants to extoll the sustainability benefits of plastic packaging products, they feel compelled to claim that plastics have “a lower environmental impact” than paper-based packaging (America succumbs to plastic paranoia, September 26) instead of simply making a fact-based environmental case? Could it be because paper products are the gold standard for circularity and true sustainability?

Mondi is helping farmers grow their crops, having partnered with Cotesi to replace conventional plastic mulch film with a paper solution, Advantage Kraft Mulch. Mulching films protect crops from birds, weeds, soil erosion, sun and heavy rain. These films are traditionally made from plastic, rolled out during planting and then removed and disposed of at harvest. Mondi’s Advantage Kraft Mulch provides a sustainable paper alternative: the solution is made from 100% kraft paper, created from responsibly sourced wood, with no plastic or coating. Advantage Kraft Mulch is an industrially compostable paper solution certified according to DIN EN 13432 and provides a comparable level of protection as plastic mulch film. Field trials currently underway are promising: the kraft paper remains strong, inhibiting weed growth, and is expected to decompose after the harvesting season is finished.

The Group’s €5 million investment in the plant enables it to purify water to the highest standards before it can be returned to the environment. Purified water can also be partially reused in the process, further reducing water consumption by up to 90%. This innovative treatment also reduces electricity usage and CO2 emissions by up to 80%. This latest investment underscores Smurfit Kappa’s ongoing commitment to water stewardship and follows recent similar initiatives across its plants in Europe and the Americas. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, said: “Today is an important day for environmental protection in Belgrade and throughout Serbia. This is a day that represents a turning point for the sustainable development of our country. By 2025, all companies have a deadline for introducing wastewater treatment plants. Smurfit Kappa did this two years ahead of schedule by building the first industrial biological plant. This is an example of how all business people in Serbia should join the policy of sustainable development".

Pregis is committed to developing sustainable products, incorporating recycled and renewable resources, and designing for recyclability. In 2022, more than half of the company's revenue came from products defined as recyclable, reusable, or compostable (per the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board or SASB metrics). Pregis significantly advanced its mission to reduce emissions across its facilities last year, reporting a 20.9% reduction in emissions intensity from operations—nearing the 2030 target of a 25% reduction compared to the 2019 baseline. The company also reinforced its zero-waste ambition, successfully diverting 89% of solid waste from landfills and incineration due to robust internal and external recycling programs.

You may be familiar with forest management certification, the voluntary process in which an indeendent, accredited third-party auditor conducts an onsite assessment of forestland to determine the quality of forest management against established standards such as those developed by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®), Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™). Perhaps less familiar, but far more prevalent, is fiber sourcing certification. Around 90% of all forestland globally is not certified. For North American paper manufacturers who do not own their own forestland, this means they need a way to document that the wood they buy from non-certified forests is sourced responsibly. Certifying their wood and fiber procurement operations to a sustainable sourcing standard provides strong, proven mechanisms that enable responsible sourcing. The American Forest and Paper Association reports that of the total wood fiber from forests used for products, its members procure more than 99% through a certified fiber sourcing program.

Since its launch in April 2021, over 30 North American brands have used Carbon Balanced Paper to balance over 37 million pounds of CO2 and help protect 2,290 acres of critical forest habitat. The program funds four key projects, each one protecting a vast range of threatened animal and plant species. Find out more about each project and the vital work of World Land Trust and its local partners. Click Read More below to learn about the projects in Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Vietnam.

Since the campaign began in 2010, globally, Two Sides has successfully challenged over 1075 organisations that subject their customers to repeated greenwashing messages which are damaging to the paper, print and mailing industry. With huge pressures on the economy; banks, telecom providers, utility companies and even governmental organisations are increasingly focused on switching their customers from paper to digital services to cut costs. All too often their customer communications attempt to mask these cost-saving efforts, justifying the switch with unfounded environmental marketing appeals such as “Go Green – Go Paperless” and “Choose e-billing and help save a tree.” Recent consumer survey results from Two Sides 2023 ‘Trend Tracker’ report, reveals that 55% of European consumers believe environmental arguments from companies to switch to digital communications are misleading and are about reducing costs.

One of the most valuable aspects of being a Two Sides member is our range of resources. Using the latest facts, information and research from around the world, these resources help our industry tell consumers the true environmental impact of paper and paper packaging to dispel the many misconceptions about the industry. Whether it’s our Myths & Facts booklet, large collection of fact sheets and articles, or shareable videos and factographics, our members have a vast range of information at their fingertips, ready to communicate to colleagues, partners and customers. And remember, Two Sides members can have any of these resources personalised for their business using our new online personalisation tool. This will demonstrate your commitment to paper and clear understanding of its sustainability.

Ikea U.S. is doubling down on its commitment to become a climate positive business. The retailer is launching two initiatives that align with its goal to increase on-site renewable energy, increase energy effiency and eliminate the use of fossil fuels from its operations. The initiatives include a solar installation project that is adding solar car parks, additional rooftop solar panels and battery energy storage systems to six Ikea stores and one fulfillment center. The other is a large-scale renewable heating and cooling (RHC) project to replace and optimize existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The project will start with five stores in 2023.

A wide range of UPM Specialty Papers’ label papers have been certified as industrially and home compostable, helping brand owners and label converters meet their target of prioritizing materials with a sustainable end of life. The following papers are now proven to be industrially and home compostable according to the EN 13432:2000 and NFT51-800:2015 standards providing high-quality and safe options for sustainable labelling needs: • Face papers: UPM LabelCoat™, UPM LabelCoat Prime™ • Release base papers: UPM Brilliant™, UPM Brilliant™ Pro

The shift to online shopping has accelerated dramatically in recent years. At the touch of a screen, consumers can search for a product, order and have it delivered to their door, sometimes on the same day. As consumers have come to appreciate the safety, speed and convenience of buying products online, they also are increasingly more concerned about how those products are packaged and delivered. European consumers are demanding that retailers do more to ensure their packaging is widely recyclable, and 49% believe that paper-based packaging is easier to recycle than other materials. Recycling data reflects this belief: 82% of paper packaging is recycled, the highest recycling rate of any packaging material. Glass has a recycling rate of 76%, metal 76% and plastic just 38% (Eurostat, 2020).

With a ten-year power purchase agreement, Trioworld Nyborg contributes to the construction of a new Better Energy solar park on the Danish island, Lolland. The agreement is an important element in Trioworld's focus on sustainability, and at the same time, it helps to increase the amount of renewable energy on the Danish electricity grid. The PPA will cover one-third of Trioworld Nyborg's annual electricity consumption, amounting to 7.5 GWh per year. Trioworld Nyborg manufactures plastic packaging for industrial companies in sectors such as petrochemicals, construction, horticulture, forestry, and more. In addition to producing packaging films, Trioworld Nyborg also has facilities for plastic recycling, providing the company with a stable source of valuable raw materials that are crucial to its overall strategy: leading the way in circular plastic solutions. By signing a PPA with Better Energy, a large portion of Trioworld Nyborg’s annual energy consumption will be covered by renewable energy. Its ambition to reduce emissions from its manufacturing operations in Denmark helps Trioworld move closer to fulfilling its commitment to become net zero in 2050.

Kimberly-Clark, the parent company of leading household brands including Andrex®, Kleenex®, Huggies®, WypAll® and Scott®, is celebrating a major milestone in its ambitious drive towards green energy with the official opening of a new onshore wind farm by Màiri McAllan, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Clydesdale constituency and Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, that will supply around 80% of its UK electrical power needs.

The new Advice Note ADVICE-40-005-26 extends the validity of existing FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessments until replaced by the next versions of corresponding FSC Risk Assessments. Published and effective from 6 September 2023, the FSC Advice Note ADVICE-40-005-26 announces an extension of the validity of existing FSC Controlled Wood Risk Assessments. This Advice Note applies to organizations sourcing FSC Controlled Wood using FSC-STD-40-005 V3-1 Requirements for Sourcing FSC Controlled Wood. Formulated in accordance with FSC normative requirements, it received approval from the FSC Managing Director on August 30, 2023, following a recommendation by the Policy Steering Group (PSG) on July 11, 2023.

Over the last three decades, the U.S. paper industry’s deep-rooted commitment and voluntary investment of billions of dollars in recycling infrastructure have transformed the circularity of paper products from vision to reality – something no other industry has been able to achieve. At a time when there’s growing alarm about the low recycled rates of other materials, paper recycling is a clear exception. LISTEN at: https://twosidesna.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2023/09/TMTS-3.mp3

Two Sides is excited to announce that the Confederation Of Paper Industries (CPI) will join as formal members, to better collaborate and collectively tell the sustainable story of paper products. CPI is the leading trade association representing the UK’s paper-based Industries, comprising paper and board manufacturers and converters, corrugated packaging producers, makers of soft tissue papers, and collectors of paper for recycling. CPI unifies the UK’s Paper-based Industries behind the promotion of paper’s intrinsic value as a uniquely renewable and recyclable resource. They aim to enhance the industry’s competitiveness by advocating an appropriate legislative and regulatory regime in the UK, EU and globally, and also by sharing best practice within the CPI membership.

Forests are home to more than trees, and Domtar helps support biodiversity efforts to keep plants and wildlife plentiful in the areas where we operate. Our company has partnered with nurseries, fish and wildlife organizations and landowners to create rich habitats for a variety of plants and animals. A recent initiative brought together Domtar, the Four States Timberland Owners Association, Hunter-Wasson Inc., and Love Creek Nursery in Okolona, Arkansas, to help beautify wooded acres with an array of wildflowers. The seed mix will provide landowners with seven to 12 wildflower species, both annuals and perennials. “Each box will provide enough native wildflower seeds to plant up to a 1,500-square-foot patch, which will benefit butterflies and pollinator species,” says Cathrine Jackson, wood and fiber procurement administrator at our Ashdown Mill. “We aim to provide habitat for species in need and colorful beauty on landowners’ properties. We can’t wait to see the blooms in the near future.” She says the wildflower project may become an annual effort if it proves successful.

Two Sides are excited to announce its newest partner member, the B2B direct mail, leaflet distributor and printer, Greener Mail. Greener Mail prides itself in showing its customers how to make their marketing greener and that using mail can be a sustainable choice. Having the environmental standard ISO14011, users of Carbon Balanced Paper, offsetting emissions with World Land Trust, committing to the SME Climate Pledge and now joining Two Sides, Greener Mail is continuously looking for ways to be more sustainable. “Sustainability and being ‘greener’ is at the forefront of our company ethos and we are constantly thinking of ways that we can improve our own business. Greener Mail is continuously investing in our buildings and machinery to reduce carbon emissions and the energy we use, where a simple upgrade can make a profound difference. Beyond offering sustainable services to our customers (direct mail, door to door, print and pick & pack), we also help educate them through the process and explain how becoming greener is so much easier than they think."

The deadline to give your feedback on the second draft of ST 1004, requirements for certification bodies operating sustainable forest management certification, is just a few days away. This is the second public consultation for this vital benchmark standard, with the first consultation concluding earlier this year. The working group developing the document discussed the feedback received during the first consultation and revised the draft standard accordingly. Now we need to hear from you again. Give your comments, feedback, and suggestions, to help us ensure this standard meets your needs and expectations. The deadline for comments is 5 September 2023.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member, the Sheet Plant Association (SPA), the UK trade association that promotes the interests of the corrugated sheet plant sector. The SPA co-ordinates and pursues matters affecting the co rrugated packaging industry, the Sheet Plant sector and the wider paper industry. It co-operates with associations having similar aims and objectives, not only in the UK, but also in Europe and the USA. “The SPA is delighted to become a member and support Two Sides. We provide a forum for members involved in the corrugated cardboard sheet plant industry to meet and discuss matters of common interest in the sector. One important topic on our minds is sustainability. We want our customers, brands and retailers to be aware of the sustainable attributes of our products and that our industry is committed to be part of the circular economy. Our partnership with Two Sides will allow us to use a variety of facts and stats to help us do just that.” says Tim Gray, Chairman of the UK Sheet Plant Association.

On August 16, OPI published on its opinion page a piece titled “The Sustainable Argument for Going Paperless” in which an executive from DocuWare, a document management and workflow software company, asserted with no factual evidence that electronic communication and document management are more environmentally sustainable than using paper. Among other claims, he wrote: “Reducing paper usage offers significant environmental benefits, such as leaving a lighter environmental footprint by conserving forests. Forest loss harms wildlife and increases soil erosion. Meanwhile, paper production, which also relies on chemicals and water – emits greenhouse gas emissions.” Is going digital really more environmentally sustainable than using paper? Your readers were recently warned (“The sustainable argument for going paperless,” August 16, Benedikt Dischinger) that there is a “Code Red for Humanity” caused by human-caused climate change, and that one response to this legitimate threat to the future of humankind is…use less paper. What Mr. Dischinger wants us to believe is that we should toss overboard the only form of communication rooted in a truly circular paper industry that relies on biobased energy, an infinitely renewable resource and some of the highest recycling rates in favor of more electronic communication, which is rooted in an industry that scours the planet for finite rare earths and other diminishing resources, relies almost exclusively on fossil fuels to meet its increasingly greedy demands for energy, and features embarrassing recycling rates.

Amazon plans to eliminate plastic in its mailer bags as part of an effort to cut down on waste, decarbonize and improve overall sustainability, according to the company’s 2022 sustainability report released this week. It’s also boosting attention to packaging lightweighting and elimination. The company is “phasing out padded bags containing plastics in favor of recyclable alternatives,” the report says. Some of the bags are solely made of plastic while others are a blend of plastic and paper; the mixed materials can present recycling challenges. In the U.S. and Canada last year, the company replaced 99% of padded bags made from a mix of plastic and paper with paper-padded bags that the company says are recyclable.

High recycling rates are a priority for Domtar—and for our industry partners. We’ve worked together to boost the rate that paper and packaging are recycled throughout the U.S. And it’s working. The pulp and paper industry continues to achieve a high recycling rate for its products, according to newly released data from the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA). In 2022, 93.6% of all cardboard boxes and corrugated containers were recycled, an increase from the previous year’s 91.4%. And the paper recycling rate in 2022 was 67.9%, holding nearly steady compared to 68.1% in 2021. We’re doing our part by using recycled cardboard containers at our newly re-started Kingsport Mill, Domtar’s first 100%-recycled manufacturing facility. It produces containerboard to make cardboard boxes.

Port Hawkesbury Paper is committed to sustaining a healthy environment in our forests and facilities. The natural resources entrusted to our company are managed for long-term sustainability and biodiversity while conserving the social and cultural values of the community. In accordance with our new environmental policy, we will meet—and strive to exceed— all applicable regulations, legal obligations, and other requirements to which Port Hawkesbury Paper (PHP) subscribes. This includes setting or complying with the appropriate environmental objectives and targets, creating applicable action plans, reviewing progress, conducting periodic reviews and annual updates, and making adjustments as required.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced that nearly 68% of paper consumed in the United States (67.9%) was recycled in 2022. The paper recycling rate held approximately steady to the 2021 rate and has remained consistently high. In fact, the paper recycling rate has met or exceeded 63% each year since 2009. In 2022, the recycling rate for old corrugated containers (OCC), also known as cardboard, was 93.6%, an increase over last year's rate. Meanwhile, the 3-year average (2020-2022) for OCC was 91.3%.

Sustainable forest certification on paper and packaging is a reassuring sign for earth-conscious consumers. This certification means the manufacturing process won’t threaten the long-term health of forests. Wood is one of our greatest renewable resources, so it’s important that creating pulp and paper doesn’t contribute to widespread deforestation in North America. Fortunately, net forest area in the U.S. has increased over the past three decades, and remained stable in Canada. Sustainable forest certification is an important tool for ensuring responsible harvesting and manufacturing. That’s why we were early supporters of using third-party certification that ensures wood is responsibly sourced. Supply chain transparency offered by certification has existed for nearly 30 years — far longer than similar standards for other commodities.

“Our guiding principle was that we should find opportunities to act, rather than using the war as a reason to do nothing,” said Pavlo Kravets, Director of FSC Ukraine, “with the number one priority to keep people safe.” That included finding safer places to work, adapting to hybrid working at home and in the field, sourcing electricity at times and co-working spaces that could offer internet access. Oksana Pavlishchuk, forest management certification manager, says they quickly turned fear and worry into resilience and endurance. “The new reality of the war required different organization of work processes and everyday issues, combining offline and online work,” she explained. As soon as Russia invaded Ukraine, FSC agreed to adapt its framework to allow certification in Ukraine to continue in areas not affected by the war, allowing the country to continue to benefit from its standards.

Amazon plans to eliminate plastic in its mailer bags as part of an effort to cut down on waste, decarbonize and improve overall sustainability, according to the company’s 2022 sustainability report released this week. It’s also boosting attention to packaging lightweighting and elimination. The company is “phasing out padded bags containing plastics in favor of recyclable alternatives,” the report says. Some of the bags are solely made of plastic while others are a blend of plastic and paper; the mixed materials can present recycling challenges. In the U.S. and Canada last year, the company replaced 99% of padded bags made from a mix of plastic and paper with paper-padded bags that the company says are recyclable. Upon announcing the production of its 1 billionth EarthKraft recyclable paper padded mailer last month, Georgia-Pacific noted that Amazon provided feedback in 2020 that consumers are demanding sustainable alternatives to plastic mailers. Walmart is also among the companies switching from plastic to paper mailers for e-commerce.

The report, written in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative, details advancements on a number of important fronts. They include: *Setting a time-bound, numerical target to double the volume of post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene film recycled at its North Vernon, Ind., recycling facility by the end of 2024. *Reporting the company’s “waste footprint” for the first time. In 2022 Novolex implemented a waste-to-landfill measurement program to enable monitoring and reduction of various waste streams from operations. *Increasing the company’s use of Chain-of-Custody certified fiber. *Expanding the use of materials that reflect emerging technologies and customer needs. *Creating a DEI Council comprised of Novolex leaders who guide and support our DEI strategies and objectives.

During the first six months of 2023, 21 additional companies representing approximately 90 million customers have removed greenwashing messages such as “Go green, Go paperless” and “Go paperless to help protect the environment” from their marketing communications. “In addition to misleading consumers, these types of unsubstantiated environmental claims pose a serious threat to the economic security of the more than 7 million people whose livelihoods depend on a healthy North American paper, printing and mailing sector,” says Two Sides North America President Kathi Rowzie. “Our recent research found that 65% of consumers who’ve seen anti-paper greenwashing are influenced to go paperless.” That same research found that the Two Sides Anti-greenwashing Campaign has preserved more than $300 million in annual revenue for the paper, printing and mailing sector over the last decade.

FSC has opened the registration to join the revision process of the chain of custody certification and the chain of custody evaluations standards. Sign up to contribute to the development of key concepts and fundamental aspects that will shape the revision by filling out this form. FSC is revising the FSC-STD-40-004 Chain of Custody Certification and the FSC-STD-20-011 Chain of Custody Evaluations. Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification is the core standard that specifies the requirements which apply to all CoC-certified and applicant organizations with respect to sourcing, processing, labelling, and sale of forest-based products as FSC certified. The standard will be revised together with Chain of Custody Evaluations Standard, which provides the requirements for FSC-accredited certification bodies for auditing CoC organizations against applicable requirements of the FSC normative framework. Please access the process page here to learn more about this joint revision.

Metsä Board has achieved A- rating in Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s latest Circulytics® circular economy assessment. The Circulytics® assessment comprehensively measures the extent to which Metsä Board as a company has achieved circularity across its operations. The company scored the highest scores in the ‘Enablers’ category, which highlights a strong strategic priority to transition to a circular business model. The category encompasses strategy and planning, innovation, people and skills, operations supporting the circular economy, and external engagement. This year’s A- score is an improvement from last year’s score of B, and is an encouraging acknowledgement of Metsä Board’s ongoing work of supporting the circular economy in its operations.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the French Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 21 September. Give your feedback. PEFC France revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The French system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The national 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.

Important reminder for companies still certified against the 2013 version of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard, or certification bodies issuing PEFC chain of custody certificates: any certificates issued against the 2013 version will no longer be valid as of 14 November 2023. If you are a company still certified against the 2013 standard, please reach out to your certification body for assistance or to organise your next audit against the 2020 standard. It is important to note that the transition to the new version does not impact the certification cycle, so it can happen during a surveillance audit. If you still have existing stocks of products and printed material covered by a 2013 chain of custody certificate and carrying the PEFC trademarks according to the previous 2008 Trademarks standard, you can still sell them once you have transferred your chain of custody system to the 2020 version of both these standards.

As part of the commitments laid out in its Twentyby30™ sustainability program to help advance responsible supply chains, Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com) has expanded its Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certifications into the Asia Pacific region. The Company's Nong Khae and Crown TCP beverage packaging plants in Thailand were recently awarded the ASI Performance Standard certification, bringing the total facilities in Crown's network with the designation to 12. Crown's operations in Brazil and Mexico have also achieved ASI Performance Standard certification. The ASI Performance Standard addresses environmental, social and governance principles for the aluminum value chain, confirming the recipient's production practices are responsible. Beyond meeting the required criteria as part of an independent, third-party audit, the recent certifications in Thailand can be linked to advancing employee training around biodiversity, safety and human rights.

PEFC invites stakeholders globally to give their feedback on the second draft of ST 1004, Requirements for Certification Bodies operating Certification against PEFC Endorsed Forest Management Standards. This is the second public consultation for this vital benchmark standard, with the first consultation concluding earlier this year in January. The working group developing the document discussed the feedback received during the first consultation and revised the draft standard accordingly. Thank you to everyone that gave their feedback during the first consultation, we have tried to address all the comments in this new draft. Now we need to hear from you again. Give your comments, feedback, and suggestions, to help us ensure this standard meets your needs and expectations.

NOVA Chemicals Corporation has made a significant expansion of its Circular Solutions business today by announcing an investment into developing its first mechanical recycling facility in Connersville, Ind. The facility will process post-consumer plastic films to produce the company’s SYNDIGO™ recycled polyethylene (rPE) at commercial scale as early as 2025, delivering over 100 million pounds of rPE to the market by 2026. NOVA Chemicals plans to expand its recycling footprint over the next several years to help it reach its industry-leading 2030 ambition of 30 per cent recycled content as a share of its total polyethylene sales. The company recently announced its 2030 Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership aspirations, including its anticipated investment of between US$2-4 billion by 2030 to expand its sustainable product offerings, decarbonize its assets, and build a state-of-the-art mechanical recycling business while exploring new advanced recycling technologies.

The French Forest Certification 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 24 July to 21 September 2023. PEFC France revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The revised French Forest Certification System also includes new Trees Outside Forests (TOF) requirements. TOF certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.

PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, and Domtar, a leading provider of a wide variety of fiber-based products; announce that the two companies have partnered to launch a special sustainability program for PRINTING United Expo 2023. In this partnership, Domtar has committed to working with local small forest landowners to dedicate land to plant two trees for every registration made for the 2023 Expo, being held in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 18-20. Domtar will additionally highlight other sustainability initiatives, products, and services at its booth on the show floor where attendees can learn more. “Attending the latest Major American Trade Show Organizers (MATSO) meeting in Anaheim, CA, I was able to participate in a group discussion around sustainability and got to hear to what the other top Expos are doing in this space,” says Mark J. Subers, president, PRINTING United Expo. “As the printing and packaging industry, with great partners such as Domtar, we can take actionable steps to not only ensure we are following best practices, but to also be proactive. I’m thrilled that the team at Domtar is collaborating with the Alliance to drive this initiative forward.”

The FSC Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Non- Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for Vietnam has been published. Organizations can now certify their NTFPs, supporting the promotion of responsible forestry around the world by ensuring social responsibility, environmental protection, and economic sustainability. In Vietnam, NTFPs including bamboo, rattan, bamboo shoots, edible plant, fruit, and herbal plants carry good potential for organizations and communities to generate additional income from forest resources; especially for natural forests over which a logging ban has been put years ago. Thus, NTFP utilization can have many positive impacts on rural livelihood. The rubber sector in Vietnam includes both larger corporate forests and plantations managed by smallholders. This standard will help to remove bottlenecks and boost the supply of FSC certified NTFPs such as bamboo, rattan, oil from community/ natural forests, and latex from rubber plantations which are increasing in demand in Vietnam, thereby supporting sustainable forest management.

The new FSC Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Slovenia has been published and becomes effective from 01 October 2023. Forest Stewardship Standards (FSS) are the key mechanism to transfer FSC’s Principles & Criteria into forest management on the ground. They are FSC‘s tool to promote responsible forestry around the world, by ensuring social responsibility, environmental protection, and economic sustainability. The process for developing the IFSS for Slovenia included consultations with various stakeholders, reaching a consensus with social, environmental, and economic interests. An additional public consultation of the HCV Framework was conducted to raise awareness in interested parties on this process, and to organize open discussion on key changes. Relevant comments were incorporated into HCV Framework draft, and one representative of environmental interests said: "It is the first time that the protection of sacred natural sites in Slovenia is mentioned in this kind of document."

Today, too much plastic waste ends up in incineration or landfill in the EU instead of being recycled back into new products. According to the latest statistics, 35% of post-consumer plastic waste went to recycling, 42% to energy recovery and 23% to landfill in 2020*. High-quality recycling of plastics is an important contributor to our climate goals both at the EU level, within member states and for companies. Together with our customers, we at Trioworld can increase the amount of plastic waste going to recycling. The goal for the EU is to be climate neutral by 2050 to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The transition to a climate-neutral society, with net zero emissions of greenhouse gases, is both an urgent challenge and an opportunity to build a better future. The strategy to reach this objective is called the European Green Deal and one essential aspect is the new circular economy action plan. A new regulation is now being negotiated stating that all packaging on the EU market needs to be reusable or recyclable in an economically viable manner by 2030. This regulation will also come with requirements for the amount of recycled plastic allowed within the packaging.

Present in Santa Catarina for over 50 years, Klabin remains committed to promoting environmentally responsible actions that contribute to the sustainable development of the region. The results of the Company's effort can be seen in the 2023 Public Summary of Klabin's Forest Management Plan in the state, now available to society at the link. The document brings important evolutionary data on the forestry management adopted by the company, as well as on the environmental education actions implemented by the company. According to the material, Klabin's forestry base reached 141 thousand hectares, distributed in 44 municipalities in Santa Catarina, in the West, Middle West, Serra Catarinense, North and Alto Vale regions, in addition to the Northeast, Center Northeast and East of Rio Great South. The Company also has forests in Paraná and São Paulo, with information available in separate documents.

We’re thrilled to share the success of our recent tree-planting initiatives in Australia. In May, our Southern Operations colleagues joined forces with various organizations, including the Busselton-Dunsborough Environment Centre, to plant over 1,000 native seedlings near our Wonnerup Mine. Together, we built protective fencing to ensure the saplings’ growth. Continuing our commitment to environmental stewardship, a dedicated crew of 70 employees and their families, including visitors from the U.S., gathered at our Northern Operations. Over the course of the day, we planted a remarkable 8,500 seedlings along the Yalyal Brook, significantly contributing to the restoration efforts. We partnered with the Chittering Landcare Center for the 22nd consecutive year, resulting in an incredible 170,000 trees planted thus far.

The landmark EU anti-deforestation Regulation (EUDR) enters into force. The EUDR provisions will become applicable as of 30 December 2024. FSC has supported the development of the EUDR since the beginning, and is now ready to work together with the EU Commission, EU Competent Authorities, NGOs, and businesses to make it a success. The EUDR prohibits placing or exporting products in/from the EU market that do not comply with its legality and sustainability requirements. Companies must conduct due diligence to ensure that the products they source are legal and are not linked to land that has been deforested or degraded after 31 December 2020. The EUDR's main goal is to reduce the EU's impact on global deforestation by promoting the consumption of ‘deforestation-free’ products.