Apply for our 2024 Sustainability Awards
AF&PA is now accepting applications for our 2024 Sustainability Awards. Our awards program is open to AF&PA members, only. Apply by May 3, 2024. See 2024 Sustainability Award Program Rules and Criteria.
The AF&PA Sustainability Awards Program has 3 award categories:
Leadership in Sustainability
The Leadership in Sustainability Award recognizes members' outstanding contributions toward meeting the industry’s 5 Better Practices Better Planet 2030 goals through projects or programs.
Innovation in Sustainability
AF&PA recognizes the scope of sustainability is broad and members develop innovative products, programs and projects that add to the industry’s sustainability advancements. These efforts are sometimes outside the scope of our goals. The Innovation in Sustainability Award recognizes these efforts.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE&I)
AF&PA’s DE&I Award recognizes members’ efforts that increase economic and social equity and inclusion, support career development and advancement for all diverse groups and remove barriers that hinder DE&I efforts.
Application Deadline Friday, May 3, 2024.
2023 AF&PA Sustainability Award Winners
LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY — SAFETY
Georgia-Pacific
Save My Life Digital Work Process
Save My Life is a digital platform that was built by and for frontline employees. This system uses technology to provide a guided framework to ensure workers have the best information and control measures to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY — WATER MANAGEMENT
Sappi
Wastewater Reduction at Cloquet Mill
Ongoing efforts and innovative manufacturing processes implemented at Sappi’s Cloquet Mill contributed to an overall reduction in the amount of and improvement in the quality of wastewater being returned to the environment.
LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY — CIRCULAR VALUE CHAIN
Graphic Packaging
Boardio™ Paper-based Packaging
Boardio is a paper-based bottle, developed by Graphic Packaging in collaboration with Perfetti Van Melle for their Mentos gum. The innovative solution provides a renewable and recyclable packaging option.
LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY — GHG REDUCTION
Sonoco
Renewable Natural Gas Project
Sonoco and GreenGasUSA launched the first industrial waste renewable natural gas project in the southeast U.S. By capturing biogas from its Hartsville, SC mill’s wastewater treatment system and displacing the need for fossil natural gas, Sonoco has reduced GHG emissions for the mill by over 90%.
LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY — RESILIENT U.S. FORESTS
International Paper
Forest Bird Conservation
International Paper and the American Bird Conservancy teamed up to enhance bird habitats in working forests. Landowners, suppliers, conservationists and bird specialists work together to advance wildlife habitats.
