Graphic Packaging Aboard The SFI Certification Movement
By Canadian Packaging Staff
Sustainability Graphic Packaging International Sustainable Forestry InitiativeLeading paperboard folding-carton manufacturer Graphic Packaging International, Inc. has completed the certification of all of its converting facilities to the fiber-sourcing standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI Inc.)—following up the recent certification of all of the company’s kraft mills to the SFI guidelines for responsible forest management.
“Achieving SFI fiber sourcing certification is an important part of our overall commitment to sustainability,” states Graphic Packaging president and chief executive officer David Scheible.
“It keeps us continuously improving and strengthening our efforts to manage our business according to responsible environmental policy,” adds Scheible, who took over as head of the company created through the recent merger of the former Graphic Packaging Corporation and Altivity Packaging LLC.
Now ranking as the world’s largest producer of paperboard folding cartons and beverage packaging, with leading positions in food packaging, multiwall bags and specialty packaging segments—as well as one of the leading producers of coated unbleached kraft (CUK) paperboard and recycled-coated board—the company’s commitment to the environmental cause sets a shining example for other paper product manufacturers to follow, according to the SFI.
“At a time when just 10 per cent of the world’s forests are independently certified, Graphic Packaging has taken a real leadership role by supporting the global efforts to improve forest practices,” says SFI president and chief executive Kathy Abusow.
“With the demand for products from responsibly-managed forests increasing worldwide, Graphic Packaging is making a strong statement, as a global packaging supplier, by joining a growing number of companies that are demonstrating their environmental commitment through certification to the SFI program.”
Introduced as a set of standards aimed at promoting global 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—the SFI fiber-sourcing certification means a company has verified that at least 66 per cent of its supply of raw material comes from a SFI-certified procurement operation.
Says Scheible: “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.
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