Our targets

How we measure success:

Advance circular solutions throughout our value chain and create innovative products that are 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable
Our approach

We are committed to advancing the circular economy.

Circularity wraps around everything we do at International Paper, from the renewable resources we rely on for our raw materials, to the products we make that can be recycled over and over. Now, our Renewable Solutions strategy challenges us to advance circularity across our value chain to help lead the transition to a circular, low carbon economy.

To achieve our Renewable Solutions goal to accelerate the transition to a circular economy through innovative fiber-based products, our strategy centers on creating products that contribute to a more sustainable, low-carbon future and help our customers achieve their objectives.

We do this by:

  • Creating innovative, 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable products that help our customers achieve their objectives.
  • Sourcing sustainably by investing in circular raw materials, sustainable forestry and in renewable and recycled fiber
  • Using circular manufacturing processes to maximize resources and minimize impacts through the reuse of recovered fiber and all materials and residuals
  • Collaborating with customers, suppliers and circular economy leaders on solutions to contribute to a low carbon economy at every stage of our value chain

We create the products that people depend on every day, and we play a role in ensuring they contribute to a better future for people and the planet.
 

Strategic collaborations and initiatives

We recognize the importance of strategic collaboration to make meaningful progress across our value chain.

  • Ellen MacArthur Foundation Network

    The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Network brings together industry leading corporations, emerging innovators, affiliate networks, government authorities, regions, cities and more to develop and promote the idea of a circular economy to mobilize systems solutions at scale, globally. This membership enables International Paper to advance its contributions to the circular, low-carbon economy, building on its work to evolve the design of its packaging, pulp and paper products so that they can enjoy multiple lives through continuous cycles of recovery and reuse.

  • World Business Council for Sustainable Development

    The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a CEO-led organization of forward-thinking companies that galvanizes the global business community to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment. International Paper has joined the WBCSD and the organization’s Forest Solutions Group, which provides business leadership in expanding sustainable forest-based solutions. During our participation with the Forest Solutions Group, we have helped to launch the Forest Sector SDG Roadmap and the CEO Guide to the Circular Bioeconomy.

  • Sustainable Packaging Coalition

    The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) is a membership-based collaborative with the mission of bringing packaging sustainability stakeholders together to improve packaging systems and lend an authoritative voice on issues related to packaging sustainability.

Cat sitting in a house made of corrugate

Our progress

At IP, we prioritize the use of resources that are renewable, sustainably managed, recovered and reused, through design, production and recovery across our value chain. In 2021, our Renewable Solution teams completed Vision 2030 roadmaps, which identified business-specific targets to guide delivery against our renewable solutions goal.

As of 2021, 95% of IP products are recyclable, reusable, or compostable with 100% compostability of IP pulp products, and 93% recyclability of corrugated packaging