WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recognized Evergreen Packaging as a leader in sustainability with a 2015 AF&PA Sustainability Award. This is the second consecutive year AF&PA has honored Evergreen for its sustainability advancements. The award was presented at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 13 in San Antonio, Texas.
 
Evergreen received the Leadership in Sustainability Award for Paper Recovery for Recycling for their On-Packaging Recycle Use project. Designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry, AF&PA’s annual sustainability awards are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories.
 
“Evergreen took a creative and constructive approach to increase recovery for recycling,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “Their proactive efforts have helped educate their customers and the wider public about the recyclability of paper cartons.”
 
Surveys show that consumers look for a recycle logo on a carton to determine whether it is recyclable. Given the importance of on-package logo use, Evergreen developed and implemented a recycle logo tracking system for the cartons they produce. This information is used to work with customers to include the logo on their cartons and communicate to consumers that those cartons are recyclable, thereby increasing recovery.
 
“Many thanks to AF&PA for recognizing Evergreen Packaging with the 2015 Leadership in Sustainability Award for Paper Recovery for Recycling,” said Evergreen Packaging President and CEO John Rooney. “Our On-Packaging Recycle Logo Use Tracking Project reflects our commitment to carton recycling and our larger corporate commitment to sustainable packaging. This project enables us to enhance the sustainability efforts of our customers and improve the recycling of the cartons we produce.”
 
AF&PA member company applicants are considered in two categories. Projects that support progress toward the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals qualify for recognition in the “Leadership” category, which has five subcategories that correspond to the goals: Paper Recovery for Recycling, Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Sustainable Forest Management, Safety, and Water. The “Innovation in Sustainability” award is reserved for projects that merit recognition for their contribution to sustainable business practices, not one of the goals specifically.
 
AF&PA releases its sustainability report every other year. The 2014 Sustainability Report showed that the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturing industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving its Better Practices, BetterPlanet 2020 sustainability goals.  
 
For more information about the Sustainability Awards program and AF&PA’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative, visit afandpa.org/sustainability.