WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recognized International Paper as a leader in sustainability with a 2015 AF&PA Sustainability Award. The award was presented at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 13 in San Antonio, Texas.
 
International Paper received the Leadership in Sustainability Award for Water conservation efforts, specifically for their Pensacola Mill/Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) Partnership 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.
 
“By introducing the use of reclaimed water to displace freshwater consumption, International Paper is reducing its water use at its Pensacola mill and protecting the local ecosystem,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. 
 
Through the partnership, International Paper’s containerboard mill in Pensacola, Florida receives treated effluent from ECUA that it uses in its industrial processes. This allowed International Paper to reduce its freshwater consumption, while ECUA has found a beneficial outlet for its treated effluent.
 
“I would like to thank AF&PA for acknowledging our achievements at our Pensacola mill,” said International Paper Chairman & CEO Mark Sutton. “This project demonstrates our commitment to water stewardship in the communities where we live and work.”
 
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 Reportshowed 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.