Water

What is the Environmental Impact of the Paper Industry?

SManger — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:50:44 +0000

What is the Environmental Impact of the Paper Industry?

SManger Mon, 06/03/2024 - 09:50

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?

1 Billion +

trees are planted each year

No. The U.S. pulp and paper industry is not linked to global deforestation and forest degradation.

U.S. forests are strong and stable. More than 1 billion trees are replanted in the U.S. each year.

The U.S. paper industry is a responsible steward of our planet’s resources. We have a long history of sustainable forest management and innovation.

Our industry uses trees from working forests. These forests are continuously replanted, ensuring a healthy balance for the future.

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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}

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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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.

Green Bay Packaging Achieves Net Zero Water Certification

SManger — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:03:31 +0000

Green Bay Packaging Achieves Net Zero Water Certification

SManger Thu, 04/21/2022 - 10:03

Water is essential to making paper and vital to our planet. The paper and wood products industry is constantly innovating to find new ways to preserve this critical natural resource for today and future generations.

An exciting innovation comes from Green Bay Packaging. This year, their Green Bay mill achieved net-zero water. This is the first time this has ever been accomplished.

“[We] designed a water system that moves water in a way that makes paper while consuming less water. Water is also reused many times before new water is added to replenish the supply needed to make paper,” said Lisa Bauer-Lotto, Corporate Director, Environment & Sustainability at Green Bay Packaging. “In fact, the amount of recycled and reclaimed water we use is more than the amount of fresh water to the mill.”

At the Green Bay mill, the total gallons of reused and reclaimed water is more than the amount of new freshwater supply. This concept is commonly called net-zero water use.

“Green Bay Packaging’s net-zero water system embraces the paper industry’s stewardship on the protection of water resources, the water quality in the community and aligns with AF&PA’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 water goal to drive water stewardship throughout the industry manufacturing operations,” Bauer-Lotto said.

This project was validated by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), a global leader in establishing standards and third-party validation in the areas of environment, science and sustainability. This was important to the credibility and transparency of the project.

Both the validation and net-zero water are landmark achievements for Green Bay Packaging and the paper and wood products industry. This project significantly increases the amount of water reused and reduces the reliance on fresh water from the Great Lakes.

“The paper industry’s continuous reductions on impacts to water resources and improvements to water quality are noteworthy. The paper industry drives innovation to conserve and recycle water to close the water loop through consistent technological advancements, innovation and industry goals,” Bauer-Lotto said.

While this project focuses on water, Bauer-Lotto said there are many examples of how the paper and wood products industry is contributing to a circular economy.

“The paper industry has been implementing sustainability practices of recycling (circular economies of fiber) and water recycling long before it was a social model,” she said.

You can’t make paper without water. Bauer-Lotto said that’s why the use and management of water is key. Water stewardship is about preserving critical resources for today and future generations.

“These water stewardship efforts and investment are poised to yield even larger benefits to our environment as consumers increasingly shift to sustainable paper packaging and display their expectations on improving sustainability performance,” Bauer-Lotto said.

Access to Water

CCozort — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 16:42:46 +0000

Access to Water

CCozort Mon, 11/22/2021 - 11:42

Procter & Gamble

Access to water is vital for everyone. P&G is teaming up with organizations in water stressed regions to help protect and restore water in those communities.

https://twitter.com/ProcterGamble/status/1435663728083673092?s=20

Industry Priorities

Water

2030 Goal: Drive Water Stewardship

superuser — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 20:12:20 +0000

2030 Goal: Drive Water Stewardship

superuser Wed, 08/04/2021 - 16:12

A Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 goal is to advance sustainable water management through a watershed approach throughout our manufacturing operations.

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Washington State Water Quality Comparable Risks

superuser — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 18:12:32 +0000

Washington State Water Quality Comparable Risks

People are exposed to risks in many ways every day and some are more likely than others, and there are many regulatory programs to address those risks. The comparable risk chart helps explain how EPA's new risk policy for Washington state's water quality is more strict than several other programs.

superuser Mon, 08/02/2021 - 14:12

Spotlight in Brief: 2020 Sustainability Award Winner for Sustainable Water Use

superuser — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:45:41 +0000

Spotlight in Brief: 2020 Sustainability Award Winner for Sustainable Water Use

superuser Tue, 04/20/2021 - 20:45

Leadership in Sustainability Award: Sustainable Water Use

Member Spotlight Sappi North America

Water is an essential part of the pulp and papermaking process, making water stewardship critical.

AF&PA member Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, is challenging industry standards and innovating new methods for sustainability by repurposing and reducing waste at all locations.

At their Somerset mill in Skowhegen, Maine, Sappi’s “Caustic Reclaim and Reuse” project focused on reducing the cost of the Somerset mill’s boiler flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) and volume of purchased caustic.

The mill achieved both: reducing the amount of purchased caustic by 660 tons per year and overall mill water use by 12,000 gallons per day.

The reduction process method has surpassed the industry standard, which benefits the mill’s fiscal position and helps the Somerset mill meet its environmental ambitions and maintain a positive relationship with the surrounding community.

Learn more about AF&PA’s Sustainability Initiative.

Using Water Sustainably to Manufacture Essential Products

superuser — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 19:34:56 +0000

Using Water Sustainably to Manufacture Essential Products

superuser Mon, 08/03/2020 - 15:34

Learn how one AF&PA member is innovating on water use in the paper and wood products industry.

Perhaps no season sheds light on the importance of water more than the hot summer months. Whether you’re drinking water, trying to cool off, or going with the flow, water is an essential resource – and it’s also why the Environmental Protection Agency designates August as National Water Quality Month.

AF&PA members, including Green Bay Packaging (GBP) – which last year won AF&PA’s Sustainability Award for Water – help contribute to the sustainable use of water. In her own words, GBP Corporate Director of Environmental and Sustainability Lisa Bauer-Lotto explains the economic, social and environmental benefits of a closed-water system.

Q: What’s one thing you want people to know about water use, and the paper products we use each day?

Water is key to the papermaking process, so we are reliant on, and a stakeholder in, sustainable use of water resources. For every ton of paper fiber recycled, it is estimated 550 gallons of water are conserved, and significant water impacts are avoided. Using paper products contributes to the sustainable renewable fiber circular economy that promotes the recycling of paper and benefits water resources from responsible paper recycling.

Q: What impact has your closed-water water system made?

The circular water economy of a closed-process water system results in cost savings and avoided impacts to the watershed. This includes savings of energy and resources for offsite water transport and treatment because water is recycled onsite.

The Green Bay Mill’s closed process water reuse-recycling program has avoided the use of more than 5 billion gallons of water. In addition, the mill’s closed-water system has prevented millions of pounds of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and solids discharge over the life of our closed water system, resulting in significant environmental benefits to our Fox River watershed, which is an impaired water body for both BOD and suspended solids. The closed-process water program at our Green Bay Mill, implemented in 1992, was one of the first recycling mills in the United States to have a closed water loop.

This year, our Green Bay Mill is implementing phases of our new mill’s water reclaim-recycling system, which eliminates all direct contact with the Fox River. This best-in-class water system will reclaim and recycle millions of gallons of water per day with an adjacent water municipality, from there and back to our mill.

Q: What does it mean for you and your company to win AF&PA’s Sustainability Award for Water?

It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by our industry for water achievements. GBP takes pride in continued water conservation that reduces water impacts and provides benefits to our watershed community. Doing more with less water, while maintaining product quality, is a tribute to teamwork and collaboration across all mill departments.

The GBP Green Bay Mill has a legacy of water stewardship. In 1994, the mill was recognized, by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Brown County, as a pollution warrior and ‘Clean Bay Backer’ for water recycling. The stewardship effort continues into 2021, with the building of our new mill and 100 percent reclaim-recycling water system. The water system is estimated to contribute to significant reductions in water use per ton of paper production, continuing our mill water achievements.

To learn more about sustainable water best practices, water stewardship and the industry’s water use goal, read AF&PA’s 2020 Sustainability Report update on our Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 goals.

Employer Group Applauds EPA’s Final Decision to Withdraw Unattainable Federal Standards and Approve Clean Water Standards Developed by State of Washington

superuser — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 02:35:57 +0000

Employer Group Applauds EPA’s Final Decision to Withdraw Unattainable Federal Standards and Approve Clean Water Standards Developed by State of Washington

superuser Fri, 04/17/2020 - 22:35

Contacts:

Chris McCabe, Northwest Pulp & Paper Association, chris@nwpulpandpaper.org, 360.529.8638
Lindsay Murphy, American Forest & Paper Association, Lindsay_Murphy@afandpa.org, 202.494.6580
Jason Hagey, Association of Washington Business, JasonH@awb.org, 360.943.1600
Bailey Peters, Washington Farm Bureau, bpeters@wsfb.com, 360.357.9975

OLYMPIA — A coalition of employer trade groups today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to withdraw certain 2016 water quality standards for Washington, thereby confirming rigorous clean water standards developed by the State of Washington’s Department of Ecology.

As the employer trade groups argued in a February 2017 request for reconsideration, the state adopted stringent water quality standards that provide an extremely protective approach to water quality. At the same time, certain new state standards are achievable with significant investment and effort, which was not the case with the federal mandate EPA imposed on Washington.

The employer group includes eight primary petitioners to EPA: Northwest Pulp & Paper Association; American Forest & Paper Association; Association of Washington Business; Greater Spokane Incorporated; Treated Wood Council; Western Wood Preservers Institute; Utility Water Act Group; and Washington Farm Bureau.

“This is a win-win for the people of Washington. We get the highly protective water quality standards that everyone in our state wants, but the regulated community of employers and local governments have a realistic opportunity to comply with the new standards,” said Chris McCabe, executive director of the Northwest Pulp & Paper Association. “To be meaningful, to promote investment and real improvement, a water quality standard must be attainable. The Ecology-developed water quality standards recognize that, and EPA’s decision to withdraw most of its 2016 rule and allow that state-developed rule to stand, underscores that point.”

”We also greatly appreciate the work and assistance of Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers who was instrumental in working to help finalize this rule,” he said.

“Water quality is a critical issue for agriculture, which is the backbone of our state’s economy,” added Washington Farm Bureau CEO John Stuhlmiller. “With these stringent state standards in place, the state Department of Ecology can work with our members and other stakeholders to implement the final rule. Working together with these standards, we can protect all communities across the state, including those who are most exposed to potential toxins in water and fish.”

“EPA’s decision means that Washington will be subject to extremely stringent standards to protect human health for all communities,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “We will continue to work with regulators and the entire regulated community to maintain the important balance between protection and attainability, as well as Washington’s long record of scientifically-based environmental stewardship.”

Gary Chandler, vice president of government affairs for the Association of Washington Business, said the EPA’s decision to withdraw most of the federal rule and accept most of the state rule recognizes the good work that went into its creation.

“The Department of Ecology pulled together a diverse range of interests over the four years they took to create the state rule,” he said. “Employers, local governments, tribes, environmental groups — everyone had a seat at the table. Now it’s time for all these players to focus on successfully implementing the standards.

“The parties can work together, knowing that investments in water quality technologies will result in regulatory compliance, measurable improvement in water quality, enhanced protection of human health, and a stronger economy for all Washingtonians.”

“The state-developed standards now approved by EPA give local employers an opportunity to make water quality improvements without risk of losing family-wage jobs, and allow local governments to control costs for wastewater treatment while benefitting all ratepayers with meaningful water quality improvement,” Chandler said. “It’s the best course for Washington’s future.”

Press Release

Water

AF&PA Statement on EPA’s Finalization of WOTUS Rule

superuser — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 20:35:20 +0000

AF&PA Statement on EPA’s Finalization of WOTUS Rule

superuser Thu, 01/23/2020 - 15:35

CONTACT: Lindsay Murphy
(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of its final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:

“Paper and wood products manufacturers applaud the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for providing clarity around the implementation of Clean Water Act regulations across the United States. All stakeholders – including forest products manufacturers and state and local governments – deserve regulatory certainty as they work to ensure our nation’s waters are protected. As one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation with a successful record of implementing sustainable manufacturing principles and investing in improving water quality, we support EPA’s action to promote the environment, economic growth and job creation.”

Press Release

Water