Forest products industry builds a sustainable record.

The forest products industry has a unique relationship with the environment. Its products originate with wood--a renewable, environmentally superior material that is recyclable, can store carbon, and provides a source of renewable energy.

The livelihood of those in this industry depends on responsibly managing the natural resources and manufacturing products in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. The industry has taken significant steps toward creating sustainability. This includes setting aggressive recycling goals; adopting an industry commitment to environmental, health, and safety principles; reducing air, water, and waste emissions; reducing water use; and using biomass to become more energy efficient.

Since the early 1990s, companies have invested approximately US$ l0 billion in new recycling capacity to make greater use of recovered paper, in 2001, 48% of all paper produced was recovered for recycling. For some paper grades such as corrugated boxes and newspaper the recovery rate was more than 65%. Recovered fiber now accounts for approximately 37% of domestic material supply and 83% of American paper mills use recovered fiber to manufacture new products.

EHS IMPROVEMENTS

AF&PA established the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Principles Program in 1998. This is a collective effort by AF&PA members to demonstrate adherence to EHS principles, track progress by the industry, communicate information about EHS performance, and promote continuous improvement. The EHS program is a membership requirement. It demonstrates dedication to worker safety, energy conservation, and environmental considerations.

EHS data shows that the forest products industry has significantly reduced air, water, and waste emissions since 1975. The paper industry has spent more than US$ 1 billion since 1988 to convert the pulp bleaching process to avoid generating dioxin in wastewater. New bleaching processes virtually eliminate dioxin and allow manufacturers to use less wood fiber in the papermaking process.

Similarly, the industry has made great strides in increasing energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Since 1972, average total energy use has decreased 17%, fossil fuel purchased energy consumption has fallen 38%, and biomass fuel use has increased 46%. Renewable energy sources generate almost 85% of the on-site electricity for the industry.

The industry also funds and participates in Agenda 2020, a joint research project with the U.S. Department of Energy. Agenda 2020 is a consortium of industry, research institutions, and national laboratories with a mission to develop new technologies and processes to make manufacturing products more energy efficient and cost effective. This effort has produced successful technology such as the methane deNOx sludge boiler, increasing efficiency, and reducing NOx emissions.

The program is also working on gasification--an energy efficient technology. The gasification technology would convert pulping extractives and other forms of biomass into clean, combustible gases that burn like natural gas. If fully commercialized, these technologies would make the industry energy self-reliant and a net exporter of electricity. The technology would also reduce emissions by more than half and provide significant carbon reductions.

On the forestry side, the industry established the Sustainable Forestry Initiative[R] program. Over the past six years, AF&PA members have dramatically changed their approach to forest management. Under SFI[R], the industry emphasizes natural resource and wildlife conservation, prompt reforestation, and a deeper awareness of environmental responsibility and stewardship.

The SFI program is a comprehensive system of principles, objectives, and performance measures that integrate the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with protecting wildlife, plants, soil, water, and air quality. The program has demonstrated that responsible environmental stewardship and sound business decisions can coexist. Participation in the program is mandatory for all AF&PA members.

About the authors: Sharon Kneiss (pictured) is vice president, regulatory affairs and Cathy Foley is vice president, paper group for the American Forest & Paper Association, Contact Kneiss by email at [e-mail], and Foley by email at [e-mail].