On the program’s 20th anniversary, 11 projects receive funds for social impact campaigns
Press Release
BOSTON, September 26, 2019 /3BL Media/ — Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the 2019 recipients of its annual Ideas that Matter grant program. Celebrating its 20th year, the program provides funding to support the production and distribution of social impact print projects with integrated campaigns.
Looking back on 2018, I am struck by the degree to which sustainability-driven values, ideas, and strategies were an integral part of Sappi North America’s business success. We have a market advantage as a renewable resource company, offering customers around the globe sustainably sourced printing papers, packaging, and specialties, and dissolving wood pulp products.
Each year we survey our performance in important areas of environmental and social responsibility by monitoring key metrics for fiber, emissions, energy usage and the impact of our operations on air, water and solid waste. We use this data to set improvement goals for our operations and interactions with key stakeholders.
Each year we survey our performance in important areas of environmental and social responsibility by monitoring key metrics for fiber, emissions, energy usage and the impact of our operations on air, water and solid waste. We use this data to set improvement goals for our operations and interactions with key stakeholders.
Forest management and harvesting can be contentious and controversial, especially when done in a densely populated area or on public lands that are cherished for their serenity, recreational opportunities, and conservation values. At Sappi, we believe that the right approach when managing timber is to integrate forest management—especially timber harvesting—into the local culture by sharing information and collaborating with local communities and the public, as showcased in these three coastal Maine harvests.
In 2018, the Sappi Group updated its Woodfibre Procurement Policy to set clearer parameters for our wood, chip and pulp procurement operations as well as to establish clearer direction to our suppliers. The policy requires that all wood and pulp sourced for Sappi globally must come from well-managed forests and be third-party verified that it is from controlled and noncontroversial sources. The policy reflects Sappi’s inclusive approach to support all three of the leading international forest certification systems, namely the FSC, SFI and PEFC programs.
Responsible manufacturing begins with responsible sourcing. In the US, a strong legal framework has instilled responsible forestry practices for generations. The Clean Water Act first established the requirement for best management practices (BMPs) in the 1970s. BMP’s are adopted at the state level and are evaluated and revised over time by each state. Third-party forest certification standards have led to additional improvements and provide a scalable assurance mechanism for stakeholders.
For more information on third-party forestry certification programs, please visit:
Lucas (Luke) Lamond grew up in the forestry business working in the woods with his father, a consulting forester who taught him everything about forest management. Luke is a graduate of the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in Forest Operations, Bioproducts and Bioenergy. In 2014 he was awarded the College of Forest Resources’ Dwight B. Demeritt Forestry Award, which is issued to recognize the top students in forest resources and wildlife.
Sappi North America highlights winning projects of Ideas that Matter program
Multimedia with summary
For the past 19 years, Sappi has empowered great ideas by supporting designers that use their time and talent for good. Since the inception of the Ideas that Matter program, Sappi has donated over $13 million in grants to support more than 500 charities. Sappi is giving back by encouraging local initiatives and making a difference in communities around the United States and around the world.
