Recognized for Let There Be (LED) Light Program 

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recognized Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc. with a 2019 AF&PA Leadership in Sustainability Award for Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction for their Let There Be (LED) Light Program. The award was presented at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 9 in Bluffton, South Carolina.

“Seaman Paper improved their energy efficiency while driving down costs and improving lighting quality, which can further improve production quality as well as safety in their facilities,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. 

Seaman Paper reduced their electricity consumption by over 1.2 million kilowatt hours per year by switching a significant portion of their lighting over to LED. The lightweight papers and decorative packaging supplier used energy conservation incentives provided by their utility to replace existing lighting with LED or specify LED lighting in their converting plants and warehouses in northcentral Massachusetts. Cost savings from the project offset payment to the utility and are now accrued by Seaman Paper. In addition, the project improved lighting in the facilities, promoting safety.

“We thank AF&PA for recognizing our Let There Be (LED) Light Program,” said Seaman Paper CEO George Jones. “This program greatly improved our company’s energy efficiency and is appreciated by our stockholders, employees and customers.”

The 2019 AF&PA Sustainability Award winners were selected by a judging panel of sustainability experts from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy; the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University; GreenBlue; Quad Packaging; Two Sides; and the U.S. Department of Energy.

AF&PA’s annual awards are designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry and are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple 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: Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Paper Recovery for Recycling, Safety, Sustainable Forest Management 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’s 2018 Sustainability Report showed that the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving its Better Practices, BetterPlanet 2020 sustainability goals. For more information, visit afandpa.org/sustainability.

Ryan Lichwell