Sustainability Report 2018

At Sappi North America, we recognize that strong, sustainable companies don't merely manage against quarterly financial targets — they invest in the people they employ, they make commitments to protect the planet from the wasteful use of natural resources, and they have a clear vision for achieving profitable growth and prosperity for current and future generations.

Since the release of our first Sustainability Report in 2011 we have consistently demonstrated a commitment to transparency, innovation and doing good - environmentally, socially and economically.

The three pillars of sustainability – People, Planet and Prosperity – remain core to our operations. We are committed to helping all our partners across the supply chain understand the true footprint of our business so that they can trust that when they do business with us, they are doing business with the leader in the industry.

The year was filled with transformation including the completion of a paper machine rebuild at Sappi’s Somerset Mill, the development of a new packaging line, the launch of a new dissolving pulp product brand, Verve, and the introduction of a new sustainability leadership team. This team of experts is committed to maintaining a collaborative work environment and driving sustainability efforts with successful employee engagement. Together, they bring a diversified approach that will continue to strengthen Sappi’s leading sustainability strategies and build a strong path toward solving the challenges of the future.

Highlights of our 2018 Sustainability Report include:

  • Excellent industrial safety performance with a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate of 0.35 for the year—the lowest in Sappi North America’s history.
  • Among the lowest carbon footprints in our sector, with just 0.38 tons of CO2 generated per ton of product made. In fact, over 75% of our total energy needs are derived from renewable resources like woody biomass.
  • 100% of our wood and pulp is sourced in conformance with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) Fiber Standard and 58% is third-party certified under either SFI®, FSC®, PEFC™ or as part of a Point of Harvest program.  
  • Strong and innovative waste reduction initiatives, including reuse of byproducts to avoid landfill.  Looking at pulp mill operations alone, this year we reduced waste by 18 percent from our 2014 baseline.

We have our eye to the future, not only for the evolution of our business and products, but the impact that we will continue to have on our environment. We strive to find sustainable solutions to everything that we do, and we thank you, our stakeholders, for helping us along the way.

To learn more, download a PDF of Sappi North America’s 2018 Sustainability Report here.

Content from this campaign

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Letter From Jennifer Miller
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.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Why Social Indicators are an Important Part of Sappi North America's Sustainability Strategy
Sappi takes a very active approach to social responsibility, both regionally and globally. Our three primary stakeholder groups are our employees, our customers, and the communities in which we operate.

Sustainable Development Goals

Moving Away from Landfills
Total solid waste to landfill (kg/admta) Beneficial use of solid waste (tonne/yr) and Intensity metrics reflect the impact per air-dried metric ton of saleable product (including market pulp).

Sustainable Development Goals

Sappi Continues to Sustainably Manage Water in Accordance with Comprehensive Environmental Permits
Our North American mills draw water from surface sources (rivers and lakes) and return treated water to the same primary sources.

Sustainable Development Goals

Setting the Standard for Fiber
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.

Sustainable Development Goals

Emissions at Sappi: Meeting Aggressive Goals to Lower Impact on Environment
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.

Sustainable Development Goals

Measuring Energy Use: How Sappi Ensures Consistency and Accuracy of Environmental Metrics
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.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Finding Community in the Forests
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.

Sustainable Development Goals

Updating Policies: Sappi Group Takes a Fresh Look at Wood Fiber Procurement
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.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Why Sappi North America is Committed to Sourcing Wood and Fiber Responsibly
Responsible manufacturing begins with responsible sourcing.
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