Energy

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Explore How Working Forests Store Carbon

Learn More About Working Forests

How Does the U.S. Paper Industry Source its Wood Responsibly?

The industry prioritizes responsible wood sourcing. We do this in a few ways. Here's how:

Sustainable Fiber Procurement: AF&PA members adhere to sustainable fiber procurement principles as a condition of membership. Procurement is how our members get the wood they need to make the products we rely on.

These principles assure the suppliers our members source wood from are committed to sustainable forest management and harvesting practices.

Sustainable Forest Management Best Practices: We commit to sustainable forest management practices including:

Forest certification programs to provide standards, guidelines, and structure for sustainable forest management.
Fiber sourcing programs that are third-party verified and are recognized globally.

Complying with the Lacey Act: The Lacey Act combats illegal logging worldwide. It bans the import of wood, pulp and paper products that are sourced from illegally harvested forests. U.S. paper companies have to follow it.

Explore Our 2020 Forestry Goal Achievements

Check Out an Award-Winning Member Project

How Much Water is Used, and What Happens to it After Papermaking?

10x

The amount of times water can be reused

Water is an essential part of the pulp and papermaking process. The U.S. paper industry is committed to sustainable water management. Our members are continuously innovating to reduce and reuse water.

Most of the water gets returned to the environment, often cleaner than before! Water can be reused 10 times throughout the manufacturing process, saving tons of fresh water.

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Explore our Water Management 2030 Sustainability Goal

Dive into Green Bay Packaging’s Net-Zero Water Project

Is the Paper Industry a Responsible and Sustainable Manufacturer?

24% +

reduction in GHG emissions since 2005

Yes! The U.S. paper industry is a crucial part of the climate solution.

We took early, voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since 2005, AF&PA members have reduced GHG emissions by more than 24%. And they’ve committed to reducing GHG emissions by 50% by 2030!

We’ve also improved our energy efficiency by more than 13% since 2005. This is largely due to the increased use of renewable energy like biomass.

As part of our 2030 sustainability goals, we’re advancing a circular value chain through the production of renewable and recyclable products.

That includes increasing the percentage of our products that are recyclable or compostable. We’re also increasing the use of secondary materials like recycled paper and wood leftovers.

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Get a Closer Look at How Our Industry Achieves Sustainability

Get the Facts About Energy Use in the Paper Industry

Where Can I Learn More About the U.S. Paper Industry's Sustainability Efforts?

Learn more about our Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 sustainability initiative and our previous accomplishments.

Our industry takes the environmental impact of paper production seriously. Our members are leading the way towards a more sustainable future for paper through our commitment to responsible forestry, water management and reducing GHG emissions.

^{Photo credit: Domtar}

Facts About Energy Use and the Paper Industry

SManger — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:52:12 +0000

Facts About Energy Use and the Paper Industry

SManger Tue, 02/20/2024 - 09:52

Advancing Sustainability Through Energy Efficiency

The paper industry plays a vital role in our daily lives. Paper is all around us in our homes, schools and offices. It’s a product to feel good about because the industry has taken steps to advance sustainability through energy efficiency.

Understanding Energy Consumption in the Paper Industry

Purchased energy is the 3rd largest operating cost for the paper and wood products industry.

Purchased energy is when a company or person gets their electricity, heat, cooling, etc. from an outside source. For our industry, it includes all fuels, electricity and steam purchased from other providers.

One of our industry’s fundamental energy management goals has been to increase energy efficiency to use less energy overall.

For starters, it helps to know the stages involved in paper production. Let's break it down:

Sourcing Raw Materials: The paper industry uses wood fiber from sustainably managed forests and recycled paper fibers to make new products.

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing: Making pulp and paper involves several energy-intensive processes, such as pulping and drying. Today, advances in technology have led to substantial energy efficiency improvements.

Does the Paper Industry Use A Lot of Energy?

58%

of electricity was self-generated in 2020

Energy consumption is part of making paper. The industry is continuously working to increase energy efficiency.

In 2020, AF&PA member pulp and paper mills self-generated 58% of the electricity needed to power their mills. Primarily through use of biomass energy.

New technologies and innovation have significantly improved energy consumption and helped the industry advance its sustainability goals.

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Advances in Energy Efficiency by Paper Industry

The forest products industry was one of the first manufacturing industries to set quantifiable sustainability goals. Improving energy efficiency was one of those goals.

AF&PA members surpassed their goal for energy efficiency by reducing purchased energy by more than 13% between 2005 and 2020.

Here are some notable initiatives our industry took to reduce our energy use:

Investing to upgrade equipment used in manufacturing operations. Things like upgrading drying sections and digesters.
Replacing energy equipment with newer, more efficient ones that use cleaner fuel sources.
Using technologies such as combined heat and power, which produce electricity and heat from a single energy source.
Using renewable energy, including biomass. This is left over materials from the manufacturing process like tree bark, saw dust and liquid biomass.
Switching to LED lighting to reduce electricity consumption.

See What’s Next for Our Sustainability Goals!

AF&PA has 5 quantifiable sustainability goals that the industry aims to meet by 2030. Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 is a voluntary industry initiative that builds on decades of success to advance sustainable products for a sustainable future.

Reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030
Advance a circular value chain through the production of renewable and recyclable products
Advance more resilient U.S. forests

Dive into our goals

Explore How the Forest Products Industry is Advancing Sustainability

Is the Paper Industry Sustainable?

How the Paper Industry Champions Sustainable Forestry

Understanding the Circular Economy and the Forest Products Industry

A Closer Look at How the Paper Industry Achieves Sustainability

CCozort — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 19:44:25 +0000

A Closer Look at How the Paper Industry Achieves Sustainability

CCozort Wed, 09/13/2023 - 15:44

Sustainability is an important consideration across industries.

The paper industry was one of the first manufacturing industries to voluntarily set quantifiable sustainability goals. Quantifiable means they’re measurable so we can track our progress.

Since 2011, AF&PA members have made significant strides in sustainable practices. We met or exceeded many of the goals we set in 2011. Now, we’re building on our success and commitment with sustainability goals for 2030.

Let’s dive into how the paper industry is embracing sustainable practices.

Sustainable Forest Management

About 2%

of working forests are harvested each year

As a condition of membership, AF&PA members are committed to sustainable forest management and sourcing wood from responsibly managed, working forests.

Working forests are carefully and sustainably managed by landowners, foresters, engineers, scientists and harvest managers.

These professionals help take care of the forest to ensure the trees are healthy. 90% of the wood that is used to produce the essential paper and wood products that Americans use every day is sourced from private, sustainably managed working forests.    

And, about 2% of working forests are harvested each year.  

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Resource Efficiency Through the Circular Economy

The paper industry is committed to optimizing resource efficiency throughout its production processes.

We also have an inherently circular supply chain.

It starts with sustainably managed forests which are continuously replanted to supply fiber and enhance the environment. Then it starts again with a highly developed recycling system to turn recycled paper and packaging into new products. Our industry’s manufacturing practices do more with less by:

Maximizing efficient use of resources, including fiber
Reusing water and other resources multiple times Utilizing manufacturing byproducts to produce carbon-neutral biomass energy
And optimizing the use of non-renewable resources

Innovative technologies have led to significant reductions in water consumption, energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Our 2030 goal, “Advance a Circular Value Chain Through the Production of Renewable and Recyclable Products,” will help strengthen the role our industry plays in the circular economy.

Paper Recycling and Waste Reduction

About 80%

of U.S. paper mills use recycled paper

The paper industry is a recycling champion. It’s an important part of our manufacturing process.

About 80% of U.S. paper mills use recycled paper to make new products. The vast majority of Americans also have access to a community paper and paperboard recycling program.

The industry continues to invest in paper recycling. We’re investing in manufacturing infrastructure as well as recycling innovations.

One of the ways is innovative packaging design to make packaging more recyclable. Another is technology to recycle more kinds of paper products. Both innovations help to extend the useful life of fiber and promote product circularity.

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Minimizing Our Carbon Footprint

More than 24%

reduction in GHG emissions by AF&PA members since 2005

The paper and wood products industry is a crucial part of the climate solution.

We took early voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since 2005, AF&PA members have reduced GHG emissions by more than 24%. And they’ve committed to reducing GHG emissions by 50% by 2030!

We’ve also improved our energy efficiency by more than 13% since 2005. This is largely due to increased use of renewable energy like biomass.

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Sustainable Water Management

More than 8%

reduction in water use by AF&PA members since 2005

Water is an essential part of the pulp and papermaking process. That makes water management a critical part of our sustainable practices.

AF&PA members are constantly striving to find new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle water in the manufacturing process. Since 2005, AF&PA members have reduced water use by more than 8%.

Water can be reused 10 times or more throughout the pulp and paper mill process before it is discharged. And 88% of water used for production is treated in wastewater systems and returned to the environment.

Our 2030 goal to advance sustainable water management aims to build on our success and further our efforts. Sustainable practices are the foundation of the paper and wood products industry.

As a leader in sustainability, the industry aims to balance the demand for paper products with the need to protect and preserve our planet's valuable resources.

Explore how our industry is advancing sustainable practices:

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https://www.gp.com/news/2019/10/naheola-is-a-shining-energy-star#:~:text=Georgi…

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Green Bay Packaging Achieves Net Zero Water Certification

You can’t make paper without water. That’s one reason water stewardship is so important to the paper and wood products industry. Lisa Bauer-Lotto shares news of Green Bay Packaging’s ground-breaking net-zero water achievement and how the industry is advancing sustainability.

Juno is an Innovative Recycling Technology

With its Juno technology, Georgia-Pacific is diverting trash from landfills and recovering valuable materials for recycling. John Mulcahy explains how this innovation works and why paper recycling is important.

Sustainable Forestry is Key to a Healthy and Lasting Paper Industry

Paper and wood products touch our everyday lives. From the structure of buildings that we live in, to the hygiene products we use, we rely on forest products.

Georgia-Pacific ENERGY STAR Top Project

JTiralla — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 18:55:24 +0000

Georgia-Pacific ENERGY STAR Top Project

JTiralla Fri, 08/13/2021 - 14:55

Georgia-Pacific

Georgia-Pacific's Naheola, AL mill was chosen as a Top Project for 2019 by the ENERGY STAR Industrial Partners. The mill eliminated the use of coal, reduced water consumption and emissions, and increased use of renewable biomass.

Industry Priorities

https://twitter.com/resolutefp/status/1374768468508151819?s=20%20or%20https%3A/…

Energy & Environment

Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 Goals Print Brochure

superuser — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 01:35:23 +0000

Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 Goals Print Brochure

Our ambitious new set of goals, Better Practices, Better Planet 2030, will further advance the role our industry plays in the circular economy and build on our achievements to improve our planet, our people and our communities.

superuser Tue, 08/03/2021 - 21:35

Download the Brochure

Resolute Engineer Featured in Guide

superuser — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 22:27:34 +0000

Resolute Engineer Featured in Guide

superuser Wed, 03/24/2021 - 18:27

Resolute

Devin Hurcombe, from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, a power engineer at Resolute’s Thunder Bay pulp and paper mill was featured in a guide highlighting Indigenous leaders who work in the forest, conservation and parks sectors.

Industry Priorities

Economic Impact

Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc. Wins 2019 AF&PA Sustainability Award for Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction

superuser — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 20:23:15 +0000

Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc. Wins 2019 AF&PA Sustainability Award for Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction

superuser Tue, 11/12/2019 - 15:23

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

Recognized for Let There Be (LED) Light Program

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recognized Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc. with a 2019 AF&PA Leadership in Sustainability Award for Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction for their Let There Be (LED) Light Program. The award was presented at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 9 in Bluffton, South Carolina.

“Seaman Paper improved their energy efficiency while driving down costs and improving lighting quality, which can further improve production quality as well as safety in their facilities,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock.

Seaman Paper reduced their electricity consumption by over 1.2 million kilowatt hours per year by switching a significant portion of their lighting over to LED. The lightweight papers and decorative packaging supplier used energy conservation incentives provided by their utility to replace existing lighting with LED or specify LED lighting in their converting plants and warehouses in northcentral Massachusetts. Cost savings from the project offset payment to the utility and are now accrued by Seaman Paper. In addition, the project improved lighting in the facilities, promoting safety.

“We thank AF&PA for recognizing our Let There Be (LED) Light Program,” said Seaman Paper CEO George Jones. “This program greatly improved our company’s energy efficiency and is appreciated by our stockholders, employees and customers.”

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

AF&PA’s annual awards are designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry and are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories.

Projects that support progress toward the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals qualify for recognition in the “Leadership” category, which has five subcategories that correspond to the goals: Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Paper Recovery for Recycling, Safety, Sustainable Forest Management and Water. The “Innovation in Sustainability” award is reserved for projects that merit recognition for their contribution to sustainable business practices, not one of the goals specifically.

AF&PA’s 2018 Sustainability Report showed that the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals. For more information, visit afandpa.org/sustainability.

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

About Seaman Paper Company

Seaman Paper Company is a global producer of lightweight papers and decorative tissue products, with manufacturing and warehousing in the United States, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Germany, Italy and Great Britain. More information at www.seamanpaper.com.

Press Release

Resolute Forest Products Wins 2019 AF&PA Sustainability Award for Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction

superuser — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:24:59 +0000

Resolute Forest Products Wins 2019 AF&PA Sustainability Award for Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction

superuser Tue, 11/12/2019 - 11:24

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

Recognized for Concrete Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recognized Resolute Forest Products with a 2019 AF&PA Leadership in Sustainability Award for Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction for their Concrete Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions project. This is the third consecutive year AF&PA has honored Resolute for its sustainability advancements. The award was presented at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, November 9, in Bluffton, South Carolina.

“Sharing AF&PA’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goal to reduce GHG emissions, Resolute steadily decreased its environmental footprint by making major investments,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock.

Resolute took concrete action to reduce GHG emissions at its pulp, paper, tissue and wood products facilities across the United States and Canada by improving the energy efficiency of its operations, producing renewable energy, managing water efficiently, and reducing waste and reliance on fossil fuels. These actions have allowed the company to reduce absolute GHG emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 81 percent relative to 2000 levels, benefiting both the environment and its bottom line.

“I would like to thank AF&PA for honoring our achievements in the areas of climate and energy,” said Resolute President and Chief Executive Officer Yves Laflamme. “We know that our long-term profitability depends on preserving the natural resources in our care and being a responsible partner in the communities where we live and work. Striving to minimize our environmental impact is quite simply the right thing to do.”

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

About Resolute Forest Products

Resolute Forest Products is a global leader in the forest products industry with a diverse range of products, including market pulp, tissue, wood products, newsprint and specialty papers, which are marketed in close to 70 countries. The company owns or operates some 40 facilities, as well as power generation assets, in the United States and Canada. Resolute has third-party certified 100% of its managed woodlands to internationally recognized sustainable forest management standards. The shares of Resolute Forest Products trade under the stock symbol RFP on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Resolute has received regional, North American and global recognition for its leadership in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, as well as for its business practices. Visit www.resolutefp.com for more information.

Press Release