It Really Does Matter What You Spec!
.jpg "It Really Does Matter What You Spec")
To put it mildly, there has been a lot of bad environmental news lately. That’s why I’m excited to bring you some good news.
When was the last time print and paper production was treated like the bad guy? Five minutes ago? But the reality is, the forest and paper industry is one of the leaders in sustainability.
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) just released its 2010 report measuring progress by the forest products industry on key sustainability indicators.
Using the latest data available, the new report, “Sustainable Practices: a Foundation of the Forest Products Industry,” shows that despite the severe impact made by the recession, continued investments by AF&PA member companies in more efficient processes and equipment have led to measurable progress on such sustainability indicators as recycling and air emissions.
Among the report’s key findings:
- In 2009, 63.4% of U.S. paper consumed was recovered – surpassing AF&PA’s 60% recovery goal three years ahead of schedule.
- On an absolute basis, both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions at member pulp and paper and wood products industry facilities have decreased.
- In 2008, 65% of the energy needed to operate member pulp and paper mills was produced from renewable fuels. At wood products facilities, renewable fuels produced 73.5% of needed energy.
- Compared to 2006, pulp and paper mill sulfur dioxide releases decreased 14.6% and total reduced sulfur releases were reduced 18.6%.
I don’t know about you, but to me, that’s incredible.
After all, consider just how huge the forest and paper industry is. How much of what you use on a daily basis comes from forest products of some kind? Everything from the school supplies in your child’s backpack to the wood fiber in the RTA furniture in your office to the construction materials used to rebuild New Orleans. Not to mention the substrate used in the jobs lined up in your press queue!
Now the news gets even better. When you look at the great strides this massive, powerful industry is making, you the creative, printer, or business owner can take part of the credit for it. That’s because the forest and paper industry wouldn’t focus on sustainability if customers didn’t care about it.
Let’s hear it for customers who care about sustainability! You are the engine that drives this level of change.
Click here to read the entire AF&PA “Sustainability Report” for 2010.