At International Paper, we deliver products our customers want and need while ensuring the responsible stewardship of natural resources. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in our legacy of land conservation and forest management, our Global Forest Certification Standards, partnerships with environmental, academic and governmental groups and investments in innovative programs that ensure we are managing natural resources responsibly. We are proud of our heritage as environmental leaders and are dedicated to continuous improvement.
Land Conservation
In 2007 International Paper, The Nature Conservancy, and the Conservation Fund reach historic agreements to protect 287,000 acres of forestlands across 11 states. These agreements included the single largest private land conservation sale in the history of the South, and one of the largest in the nation. The biodiversity and ecological importance of the lands reflect our company’s commitment to the sustainable management of working forests. We continue to work with others in our industry to plant 1.7 million trees per day.
Climate Change
International Paper participates in greenhouse gas trading programs in the U.S. and Europe and continues to learn how to reduce climate impacts in a cost-effective manner. For example:
Membership in the U.S. EPA’s Climate Leaders program and a voluntary commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent between 2000 and 2010
Founding partner and participant in the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), where we helped develop a well functioning market for carbon trading
Participation in the European Union’s carbon trading system though our IP European mills
Fuel & Energy
International Paper isconstantly evaluating andpursuing cost-effective efficiency projects throughout our operations. At the same time, we are reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, which generate greenhouse gases when burned, and increasing our use of bio-renewable fuels. By using less fossil fuel, we have reduced our overall emission of CO2 by 27percent using 2000 as a base year.
Material Recovery
International Paper is a world leader in recycling, managing close to 7 million tons of fiber in 2008. Our commitment to paper recovery and optimal reuse continues to drive US participation in paper recycling. In 2007, an all-time high of 56 percent of paper produced in America was recovered for recycling. We were able to achieve this industry goal five years ahead of schedule.
International Paper Foodservice Business focuses on responsibly sourcing materials, minimizing the impact of our operations, and ensuring our customers have a range of choices for sustainable packaging.
The Materials We Use
International Paper has a long-standing policy of not using trees from illegal sources. Only fiber that has been third-party certified as sustainably harvested is used in the production of our coated paperboard. Certification comes through ISO14001, Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Our U.S. Foodservice converting facilities are also certified to the SFI® Chain-of-Custody standard.
Our paperboard is produced with more than 70 percent renewable energy using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) technologies that do not result in the formation of detectable levels of dioxin.
All of our inks are developed to be low in VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and comply with one or more FDA regulations. Our inks are also CONEG (Council of Northeastern Governors) certifiable and comply with Asian Pacific limitations on the heavy metals lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, antimony, and selenium and their compounds.
Our Operational Impact
A philosophy of continuous improvement across the entire supply chain has allowed International Paper Foodservice to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. Since 2005, the controllable manufacturing spoilage levels have decreased 13 percent. Excess materials generated are collected and reused internally where possible or sold for external reprocessing.
Our on-going practice of retiring older, less energy efficient equipment and replacing it with rebuilt or new equipment has allowed us to consistently reduce our per unit energy requirements. Streamlining and automating portions of our facilities have reduced both raw material and finished goods handling
Understanding the significant impact logistics can have on CO2emissions, International Paper Foodservice has worked with our suppliers and our customers to optimize transportation modes of both inbound and outboard loads. We have also worked with key customer to optimize the use of trailers and shipping containers.
Customer Choices
International Paper Foodservice believes our customers have the right to a choice of environmental options and offer products including both virgin and post-consumer fiber as well as plastics made from both petroleum and plant-based materials. Our dedicated research and development team continues to expand these options through innovation including the award-winning ecotainer® packaging.
As active members of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, the US Composting Council, and the National Recycling Coalition, International Paper has helped shaped generally accepted definitions and guidelines for sustainable packaging as well as helped develop infrastructure and policy that will allow multiple options for the disposal of our products.
In an effort to reduce the environmental impact in our own "back yard," International Paper partnered with the City of Memphis to expand and improve the collection of recyclable materials. This initiative, All Aboard Memphis, added coated paperboard and corrugated board to the accepted materials list. We also executed a comprehensive communication effort resulting in a 10 percent increase in collected material in the first six months of the expanded program.
SFI® Certified -
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® is the largest North American forest certification standard and is an internationally recognized environmental program that works to broaden the practices of sustainable forestry. The moves are part of our commitment to forest stewardship and providing customers a broad range of products made from renewable resources.