WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) presented its first ever Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Awards at the association’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 9 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives, the awards are to be given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories. This year, five companies were chosen to receive awards.

“These awards symbolize our commitment to sustainability and the strides our members have made to constantly improve our business practices,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “We have long been sustainability leaders, and now AF&PA is recognizing the very best of our members’ leadership and innovation across the spectrum of what constitutes sustainability.

“Thanks to our members’ efforts, we will continue to make progress toward achieving the industry’s sustainability goals, setting the bar for other industries.”

2012 Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Award Winners

Leaders in Sustainability – Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Large Company)

Georgia-Pacific: “Improving Energy Efficiency”

International Paper: “Climate Leadership Initiative”

Leaders in Sustainability – Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Small Company)

Thilmany Papers: “Energy and Water Restructuring Program”

Leaders in Sustainability – Safety

International Paper: “It’s about…LIFE”

Leaders in Sustainability – Water

MWV: “Mahrt Mill Water and Energy Reduction Project”

Innovation in Sustainability

Green Bay Packaging: “Fiber Reclaim Project”

AF&PA member company applicants are considered annually in two categories – “Innovation in Sustainability” and “Leaders in Sustainability” – with six “Leaders” subcategories: Paper Recovery for Recycling, Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Certified Fiber, Illegal Logging, Safety, and Water. Projects that support progress toward the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals qualify for recognition in the “Leaders” category; projects that merit recognition for their contribution to sustainable business practices but that do not specifically address one of these goals may be recognized in the “Innovation” category.

In July, AF&PA released its 2012 Sustainability Report, which showed that the U.S. paper, pulp and wood products industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving the goals of its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability initiative. This is one of the most extensive collections of quantifiable sustainability goals for a major U.S. manufacturing industry.

For more information about the Sustainability Awards program and AF&PA’s Better Practices initiative, visit www.afandpa.org/sustainability.

Source: American Forest & Paper Association