Sustainability

Safety excellence is a top priority for AF&PA and our member companies. “Goal Zero” is more than a target – it’s a mindset. In 2020, member company recordable incidence rate was 30% lower than the 2006 baseline. 
 

The paper and wood products industry was among the first to take voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2020, AF&PA members surpassed their goal, reducing GHG emissions by 24.1% from the 2005 baseline. 

Increasing energy efficiency is a fundamental energy management objective of AF&PA members. In 2020, member purchased energy use per ton of product was 13.3% lower than the 2005 baseline.

AF&PA members adhere to sustainable fiber procurement principles. In 2020, members procured 99.2% of the total wood fiber from forests, used for product, through a certified fiber sourcing program.

Water is an essential part of the pulp and papermaking process. Therefore, water management is critical. In 2020, AF&PA member pulp and paper mills decreased water use (per ton of product) by 8.3%, from the 2005 baseline.

The paper industry has been striving to increase paper recycling since the 1990s. Every year since 2009, the recycling rate has met or exceeded 63%. In 2022, we recovered nearly 50 million tons of paper for recycling and the paper recycling rate was nearly 68%.