Packaging
Graphic Packaging Committed to Environmental Leadership through SFI Standards
Monday 01. September 2008 - Achieves SFI Fiber Sourcing Certification for Mills and Converting Facilities
Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE:GPK), today announced that it has achieved fiber sourcing certification to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI Inc.) for all of its converting facilities, which extends certification for the companys kraft mills By achieving SFI certification, Graphic Packaging joins a growing community of companies, land-owners, and social and environmental organizations who are committed to improving forest practices on a global scale.
Formed earlier this year by the combination of Graphic Packaging Corporation and Altivity Packaging LLC, Graphic Packaging is the worlds largest producer of paperboard folding cartons and beverage packaging, with leading positions in food packaging, multi-wall bags and specialty packaging. The company is also the leading producer of coated unbleached kraft (CUK) paperboard and recycled-coated board.
Demand for products from responsibly-managed forests is increasing worldwide and with todays announcement, Graphic Packaging, as a global packaging supplier, makes a strong statement by joining a growing number of companies that are demonstrating their environmental commitment through certification to the SFI program, said SFI Inc. President and CEO Kathy Abusow. At a time when just 10 per cent of the worlds forests are independently certified, Graphic Packaging has taken a leadership role by supporting global efforts to improve forest practices.
Achieving SFI. fiber sourcing certification is an important part of our overall commitment to Sustainability. It keeps us continuously improving and strengthening our efforts to manage our business according to responsible environmental policy, said David Scheible, President and CEO, Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Certification to the SFI Standard means that we are positioned to meet the increasing market demand for responsible sourcing of raw materials and environmentally-friendly products. We serve our customers more reliably by providing fiber products that are certified to consistently high standards for responsible forest management. In turn, our customers can support their own environmental commitment by the products they purchase with confidence from Graphic Packaging.
To complement SFI fiber sourcing certification, Graphic Packagings commitment includes active involvement in other environmentally related industry organizations and programs, including:
* American Forest & Paper Association
* Paperboard Packaging Council
* Sustainable Packaging Coalition
* Paper Recycling Coalition
With over 152 million acres certified across North America, the SFI sustainable forestry certification program is one of the largest in the world, with a standard based on principles and measures that promote responsible environmental behavior and sound forest management including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk and forests of exceptional conservation value. Fiber sourcing certification means a company has verified that at least 66% of their supply comes from a SFI certified procurement operation.
The SFI program stands apart from other certification programs by addressing the fact that 90 percent of the worlds forests are not certified to a credible standard. Through the SFI Standard, program participants are required to track the uncertified content and promote responsible forestry by encouraging landowners to reforest areas that have been harvested, to use best management practices for protecting water quality and to identify and protect important habitat elements for wildlife, including imperiled and critically imperiled species and communities. For areas outside of North America without effective laws, SFI program participants must take measures to procure all fiber from known and legal sources. In these circumstances program participants also must complete a risk assessment to avoid illegal sources and promote conservation of biodiversity hotspots and major tropical wilderness areas as defined by Conservation International.