SCA Commits to 100% Recycled and Certified Fresh Fiber for Tork Products by 2014

SCA, Philadelphia, Pa., USA, this week announced that all of its Tork® brand of away-from-home tissue products in North America are now made from either 100% recycled fiber or from "fresh fiber" sourced from suppliers with Chain of Custody certification. The company is also committing to achieve Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or comparable certification on all Tork products made from fresh fiber in North America by 2014.

"We've been leaders in sustainable practices since SCA began 80 years ago," said Don Lewis, president of SCA Americas. "The majority of our Tork products are made from 100% recycled content. We've extended our industry-leading sustainability approach to our recently launched Tork premium products in North America by initially ensuring the fresh fiber comes only from non-controversial sources through suppliers with Chain of Custody certification. And by 2014, the premium products will also have earned FSC or similar certification."

SCA is the largest owner of private forests in Europe. All SCA forests are certified under the FSC standard and SCA is the world's largest supplier of FSC certified forest industry products. Globally, since 2005, SCA has mandated that all of the company's fiber comes from only non-controversial sources.

"SCA plants three trees for every tree we harvest in our forests," Lewis said. "In 2012, we've grown 100 million seedlings at our nursery in the Swedish forest. It's this understanding and respect for nature that drives SCA's sustainability practices in North America and around the world."

All of SCA's Tork products made from 100% recycled content in North America have earned EcoLogo and/or Green Seal certifications. Most are made in mills certified to ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems. Globally, SCA has earned inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index 2012, the WWF Environmental Paper Company Index 2011 as Best in Tissue, and has been among Ethisphere's world's most ethical companies for five years.

"We developed our new line of premium products with sustainability in mind," Lewis said. "We offer customers the best of both worlds – products made from either 100% recycled or fresh pulp – all with environmental credentials that ensure customers are making solid sustainable choices for their businesses."

TAPPI
http://tappi.org/