Sustainability 

In Russia, International Paper has always adhered to rigorous sustainability standards.

Environmental initiatives are aimed to:

• Protect water resources and water usage optimization
• Reduce the impact on the environment and implement environmental initiatives
• Deliver waste management projects
• Provide energy efficiency projects
• Optimize the supply chain 

International Paper in Russia has carried out numerous environmental initiatives, including: 

• Building a facility for the collection and incineration of odorous gases;
• Rebuilding a treatment plant at BCTMP;  
• Rebuilding gas cleaning equipment using hardwood pulp manufacturing, etc.

At International Paper, we care about air quality. We track and report air emissions from our manufacturing facilities and we control these emissions to remain environmentally compliant.Since 2010, International Paper has reduced GHGs by 8.3 percent and improved energy efficiency by 6.1 percent by improving processes, equipment, and procedures.

The construction of the new landfill facility in Svetogorsk provides another good example of company’s activity, aimed at fostering a responsible attitude towards natural resources; the landfill site will be used for the disposal of solid industrial waste from the company's processing plant, and for the disposal of domestic waste from the city. It is important to note that International Paper in Russia has made approximately a twofold cut in the amount of industrial waste since 2010: from 60,000 tons to 32,000 tons a year. 

International Paper has carried out energy efficiency initiatives in Russia to improve efficiency in resource use. We think that the pulp and paper industry can benefit from resource efficiency programs more than others because of its high resource consumption and technological sophistication. Reducing water, wood and energy consumption leads to significant savings and improves operational efficiency.

The launch of a new Combined Heat and Power gas turbine system (CHP) is another great example of our commitment to energy efficiency in Russia. The CHP system is able to generate electricity for the Svetogorsk Mill’s own needs.  Thus, resource efficient technologies and management practices help us to cut operating costs and make business more competitive. 

Forests are the lifeblood of our business and, at the same time, the forest is a natural habitat for animals, plants and micro-organisms. That’s why we care about forests and promote sustainable forest management practices.

Sustainable forest management means managing forests responsibly, improving forest infrastructure, ensuring proper reforestation, certification of origin control for purchased wood raw materials, refusing to supply wood from illegal sources, such as forests where the natural resources are endangered and interests of the local communities and other parties are violated.

Approximately 10 thousand hectares of valuable forests are identified and voluntarily preserved by International Paper in Russia. In 2015, International Paper together with World Wildlife Fund launched a project aimed at biodiversity protection.

Every year we pay great attention to forest recovery. Every year in Russia, International Paper plantes over 2 million seedlings. We also demonstrate our commitment to sustainable forest management by planting new trees every year on Reforestation Day.

Our own initiatives are carried out in collaboration with the agencies from the Tikhvin District local administration responsible for forest management under a framework covering forest procurement and reforestation and also providing support for the school forestry unit.

We contribute to the promotion of intensive forest management in Russia, since it can play a key role in improving the situation in the forest sector and forest management by actively engaging the other interested parties in the sector of ecology, business and society. 

International Paper participates in and organizes forums and working groups dedicated to improving forest legislation including issues related to the implementation of sustainable forest management on federal and regional levels. In particular, International Paper is a member of a working group under the lead of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation focused on improving forest legislation. In 2015, the working group under the lead of Timber Industry Union in the Leningrad region was created.

International Paper is a standing participant in forums and working groups to develop forest-related legislation at both federal and regional levels. International Paper is a member of the work group under the lead of the Committee for Natural Resources of the Leningrad Region. In 2016 International Paper Russia and the Saint-Petersburg Forestry Research Institute (SPFRI) have launched a joint project aimed at employing a sustainable forestry model (SFM) in the Leningrad and Vologda regions.

We pay particular attention to the certification of our forest management activity and wood supply under Independent Certification system standards and principles. All forests used by International Paper in Russia for both leasing, managing and the supply chain of raw wood materials are certified to Forest Stewardship Council^® standards.

• Due Diligence System for compliance with requirements for procurement of FSC^®-controlled wood, annex 1, annex 5 (documents are available in Russian)

Please view our reports for more information (documents are available in Russian):

• 2014 Svetogorsk Wood Report
• 2014 Tikhvin Wood Report
• 2015 Wood Resume
• 2016 Svetogorsk Wood Report
• 2016 Svetogorsk Wood Resume
• 2016 Tikhvin Wood Report
• 2016 Tikhvin Wood Resume
• 2017 Svetogorsk Wood Report
• 2017 Tikhvin Wood Report

Safety is one of International Paper's key priorities, and creating a safe working environment is crucial to us as a company. In 2010, the LIFE program to promote occupational safety was launched at the company's Svetogorsk facility.

Under the LIFE program, the company provides a safe working environment at every level. The company analyzes how jobs comply with the safety criteria, modifies policies and procedures on an ongoing basis, improves equipment and provides all members of staff with the required personal safety equipment. 

“Sustainability is part of our DNA at International Paper in Russia. From improving our energy efficiency and becoming more energy self sufficient, investing in world class waste management systems and increasing the amount of FSC^® certified wood we use to 70% by 2017, all the way through to our philanthropic initiatives and giving programs for hospitals, education and sport in the communities where we operate, sustainability really is at the core of everything we do”.