Every October is an exciting time for the industry as we celebrate National Forest Products Week and get to remind the world of the many benefits of choosing paper and paper packaging. At home, school, the workplace and all points in between, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products provide undeniable value to consumers and communities across the country. And the best part of using forest products for everyday use is they are made from a renewable and recyclable resource. In 2015, the industry recovered 66.8 percent of paper and paperboard in the U.S. And we achieve continuously high recovery rates through the voluntary, market-driven recovery system. Compared to other recyclable commodities, the recovery rate of paper and paper-based packaging from municipal solid waste streams is very high. Promoting increased paper recycling is an integral part of our industry’s sustainable practices. Since AF&PA instituted the first paper recovery goal, the industry has worked with partners to promote increased paper recovery in communities, on college campuses, in schools, and businesses. click Read More below for more of the story

Ahlstrom-Munksjö and Metsä Fibre continue the collaboration by focusing on responsible wood sourcing. As part of a resource-intensive industry Ahlstrom-Munksjö, as a significant wood pulp consumer, and Metsä Fibre, as the world’s leading producer of bleached softwood pulp, have a particular responsibility to advance environmental performance and sustainability throughout their operations and supply chains. “We are committed to contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by reducing negative impact across the value chain. The collaboration with both the suppliers and customers is very important in developing and implementing our sustainability strategy, and thereby achieving these goals,” says Heli Nykänen, Manager, Group Sustainability and Capital Investments. The project that started in 2019 has mainly focused on responsible wood sourcing in the value chain from the forest to the end-products.

The world’s top producer of plastic waste has gone on the offensive to ensure a greener future for its citizens. If China succeeds, it could offer lessons for the rest of the globe. Over the past few years, the phrase “war on waste” has been popping up frequently in Chinese media headlines. Last year, China’s state news agency Xinhua described tackling the waste problem as “a tough and drawn out battle.” The campaign began in March 2017, when the Chinese central government set out a waste sorting plan with the goal of recycling 35% of municipal solid waste in 46 of the country’s major cities by 2020. Shanghai and Beijing, the two largest cities, have since amended the municipal rules to enforce mandatory waste classification – in July 2019 and May 2020, respectively. In January this year, a state commission announced another ambitious goal: to eliminate all non-biodegradable plastic bags across the country by 2025.