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Environment

BRIGHTON, UK , May 6, 2021 (Press Release) -Packaging producers can now achieve safer, more sustainable and responsible compliance with the packaging regulations, with the launch of a pioneering quality standard for recycling evidence.

Developed by Clarity Environmental, this new standard is an industry first for the packaging waste supply chain, enabling packaging producers to make informed and responsible purchasing decisions for packaging recovery notes, the evidence of recycling needed by producers to comply with the packaging regulations.

Managed by an in-house supply chain intelligence division, Clarity’s Recycling Evidence Quality Standard (CREQS) will carry out over 40 assessment checks on UK reprocessors and exporters. Purchasers of packaging recovery notes (PRNs), such as compliance schemes and direct registrants, will be given an overall assurance score and thorough audit report prior to agreeing the purchase of recycling evidence. This score will allow businesses to confidently purchase safer, quality PRNs from approved suppliers.

Clarity Environmental will work with those reprocessers and exporters who are awarded lower scores, providing support and guidance to enable them to become a trusted partner and a supplier of recycling evidence to its customers.

"Recycling evidence has been bought blind for far too long, with the only driving factor being price and a total absence of any indicators of quality. But that can now change. Our new recycling evidence quality standard provides a level of reassurance and visibility that has never been seen before, which will help to support producers’ ever demanding CSR requirements."

David Honcoop, Founder and Managing Director

Clarity Environmental Founder and Managing Director, David Honcoop, said of the launch: “Recycling evidence has been bought blind for far too long, with the only driving factor being price and a total absence of any indicators of quality. But that can now change. Our new recycling evidence quality standard provides a level of reassurance and visibility that has never been seen before, which will help to support producers’ ever demanding CSR requirements.

“The UK government has been clear that embracing a green recovery is now key to achieving economic success. With increasing emphasis on businesses to get control of supply chains, our quality assurance score will support those we work with to grow and thrive in a post-covid recovery, driving a more sustainable industry and allowing our customers to make decisions that put people and planet first.”

On 23 April 2021, the Environment Agency warned that it will be able to cancel packaging recovery notes (PRNs) and packaging (export) recovery notes (PERNs) issued by accredited reprocessers or exporters that are found to be ‘incorrect’ from July 2021.

David Honcoop added that Clarity’s Recycling Evidence Quality Standard has been designed to support these regulatory efforts to ensure PRNs are legitimate. He said: “The PRN system has long been criticised for its lack of transparency, with far too much opportunity for fraudulent activities that could be putting the environment and lives at risk. The absence of any standards has also put buyers in an extremely vulnerable position. We are proud to be leading the efforts to provide a safer and more informed way for businesses to comply with the packaging regulations, providing a whole new level of clarity to the process.”

Clarity Environmental launches industry first quality standard for recycling evidence in packaging waste supply chain

Posted in: Environment 05/06/2021 - 07:42

BRIGHTON, UK , May 6, 2021 (Press Release) -Packaging producers can now achieve safer, more sustainable and responsible compliance with the packaging regulations, with the launch of a pioneering quality standard for recycling evidence.

Developed by Clarity Environmental, this new standard is an industry first for the packaging waste supply chain, enabling packaging producers to make informed and responsible purchasing decisions for packaging recovery notes, the evidence of recycling needed by producers to comply with the packaging regulations.

Managed by an in-house supply chain intelligence division, Clarity’s Recycling Evidence Quality Standard (CREQS) will carry out over 40 assessment checks on UK reprocessors and exporters. Purchasers of packaging recovery notes (PRNs), such as compliance schemes and direct registrants, will be given an overall assurance score and thorough audit report prior to agreeing the purchase of recycling evidence. This score will allow businesses to confidently purchase safer, quality PRNs from approved suppliers.

Clarity Environmental will work with those reprocessers and exporters who are awarded lower scores, providing support and guidance to enable them to become a trusted partner and a supplier of recycling evidence to its customers.

"Recycling evidence has been bought blind for far too long, with the only driving factor being price and a total absence of any indicators of quality. But that can now change. Our new recycling evidence quality standard provides a level of reassurance and visibility that has never been seen before, which will help to support producers’ ever demanding CSR requirements."

David Honcoop, Founder and Managing Director

Clarity Environmental Founder and Managing Director, David Honcoop, said of the launch: “Recycling evidence has been bought blind for far too long, with the only driving factor being price and a total absence of any indicators of quality. But that can now change. Our new recycling evidence quality standard provides a level of reassurance and visibility that has never been seen before, which will help to support producers’ ever demanding CSR requirements.

“The UK government has been clear that embracing a green recovery is now key to achieving economic success. With increasing emphasis on businesses to get control of supply chains, our quality assurance score will support those we work with to grow and thrive in a post-covid recovery, driving a more sustainable industry and allowing our customers to make decisions that put people and planet first.”

On 23 April 2021, the Environment Agency warned that it will be able to cancel packaging recovery notes (PRNs) and packaging (export) recovery notes (PERNs) issued by accredited reprocessers or exporters that are found to be ‘incorrect’ from July 2021.

David Honcoop added that Clarity’s Recycling Evidence Quality Standard has been designed to support these regulatory efforts to ensure PRNs are legitimate. He said: “The PRN system has long been criticised for its lack of transparency, with far too much opportunity for fraudulent activities that could be putting the environment and lives at risk. The absence of any standards has also put buyers in an extremely vulnerable position. We are proud to be leading the efforts to provide a safer and more informed way for businesses to comply with the packaging regulations, providing a whole new level of clarity to the process.”

Read more

EDINBURGH, UK, May 6, 2021 (Press Release) -“General market sentiment suggests a difficult start to the year for the recycling sector. Lockdown has continued to disrupt supply and demand for secondary commodities both in domestic and international markets. Whilst waste exports have been hampered by Brexit, regulatory change and restrictions and ongoing challenges in shipping. However, the release of the Q1 PRN data suggests it’s not all doom and gloom with strong supply across the majority of materials giving cause for optimism, despite demand (which could be significantly impacted by covid) not being released until 14th May.

Paper

Buoyant Recovered Paper prices underpinned by strong UK and European demand has resulted in another strong quarter, continuing the recovery seen in Q4 of 2020. PRN prices have been sliding since January and fell an additional 19% to £4.00 per tonne following the release of the data.

Plastic

A potentially significant (yet still unverified) reporting error in the Q1 data has only added to the state of confusion in the Plastic markets. The recent downward price trend - PRN prices have fallen 62% from the year high in the weeks leading up to the data release – suggests an imbalance in supply yet this contradicts the widely held sentiment that PRN generation would contract in Q1 following new export restrictions enforced from the beginning of the year. Trading looks set to stall until clarity is provided on the supply data and a true and quantifiable assessment on the health of the Plastic market can be made.

Glass Remelt

Q1 data suggests a slow start to the year for Glass Remelt with PRN generation falling nearly 6% on the 2020 average. Supply that is likely to fall short of an anticipated obligation rise. Prices have strengthened on the back of this, rising to a 29 month high of £33.50.

Aggregate Glass

Strong Q1 PRN data for Glass Other suggests generation has been unaffected by its lower opening PRN values and a decoupling from the Remelt price. Glass Other prices had improved on the back of the recent rise in the Remelt price but have subsequently fallen back on the strength of the Q1 data. Currently trading at £10.00 per tonne.

Aluminium

Aluminium has maintained its strong performance from 2020 with a record opening quarter in 2021, up 16% on the same period last year. Prices have adjusted down, falling 17% to £25.00.

Steel

Steel’s Q1 PRN generation has surpassed market expectation with a strong domestic performance more than offsetting a slow-down in export markets. Spot prices have fallen 11% from £18.00 to £16.00 on the news.

Wood

A strong opening quarter is likely to comfortably meet a decline in the Wood demand this year. Prices remain pegged to the paper price, falling to £4.00 following the release of the data.”

Note:This analysis is based on the Q1 Interim Recovery and Recycling Data released by the NPWD on Thursday 22nd April 2021, which is unverified data. The PRN supply figures may change between now and the verified figures being published on Friday 14th May 2021

About t2e:The Environment Exchange (t2e) provides a transparent trading platform where members can trade PRNs. t2e’s unique position lets members use the power of the marketplace to gain access to the best available prices, which are displayed live on the trading boards. Trading is made easy with our dedicated account management service and swift settlement process. Members are kept informed with daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly market reports.

UK Environment Agency releases 1Q PRN report 2021

Posted in: Environment 05/06/2021 - 07:28

EDINBURGH, UK, May 6, 2021 (Press Release) -“General market sentiment suggests a difficult start to the year for the recycling sector. Lockdown has continued to disrupt supply and demand for secondary commodities both in domestic and international markets. Whilst waste exports have been hampered by Brexit, regulatory change and restrictions and ongoing challenges in shipping. However, the release of the Q1 PRN data suggests it’s not all doom and gloom with strong supply across the majority of materials giving cause for optimism, despite demand (which could be significantly impacted by covid) not being released until 14th May.

Paper

Buoyant Recovered Paper prices underpinned by strong UK and European demand has resulted in another strong quarter, continuing the recovery seen in Q4 of 2020. PRN prices have been sliding since January and fell an additional 19% to £4.00 per tonne following the release of the data.

Plastic

A potentially significant (yet still unverified) reporting error in the Q1 data has only added to the state of confusion in the Plastic markets. The recent downward price trend - PRN prices have fallen 62% from the year high in the weeks leading up to the data release – suggests an imbalance in supply yet this contradicts the widely held sentiment that PRN generation would contract in Q1 following new export restrictions enforced from the beginning of the year. Trading looks set to stall until clarity is provided on the supply data and a true and quantifiable assessment on the health of the Plastic market can be made.

Glass Remelt

Q1 data suggests a slow start to the year for Glass Remelt with PRN generation falling nearly 6% on the 2020 average. Supply that is likely to fall short of an anticipated obligation rise. Prices have strengthened on the back of this, rising to a 29 month high of £33.50.

Aggregate Glass

Strong Q1 PRN data for Glass Other suggests generation has been unaffected by its lower opening PRN values and a decoupling from the Remelt price. Glass Other prices had improved on the back of the recent rise in the Remelt price but have subsequently fallen back on the strength of the Q1 data. Currently trading at £10.00 per tonne.

Aluminium

Aluminium has maintained its strong performance from 2020 with a record opening quarter in 2021, up 16% on the same period last year. Prices have adjusted down, falling 17% to £25.00.

Steel

Steel’s Q1 PRN generation has surpassed market expectation with a strong domestic performance more than offsetting a slow-down in export markets. Spot prices have fallen 11% from £18.00 to £16.00 on the news.

Wood

A strong opening quarter is likely to comfortably meet a decline in the Wood demand this year. Prices remain pegged to the paper price, falling to £4.00 following the release of the data.”

Note:This analysis is based on the Q1 Interim Recovery and Recycling Data released by the NPWD on Thursday 22nd April 2021, which is unverified data. The PRN supply figures may change between now and the verified figures being published on Friday 14th May 2021

About t2e:The Environment Exchange (t2e) provides a transparent trading platform where members can trade PRNs. t2e’s unique position lets members use the power of the marketplace to gain access to the best available prices, which are displayed live on the trading boards. Trading is made easy with our dedicated account management service and swift settlement process. Members are kept informed with daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly market reports.

Read more

LONDON, April 22, 2021 (Press Release) -Packaging is a constant part of daily life for all consumers. Whilst this allows for fresh and portable products, the rise of single-use packaging, especially those made from plastic, is having disastrous effect on the environment and our health. 

As a contribution to Earth Day 2021, that has a vision for “the world to hold sectors accountable for their role in our environmental crisis while also calling for bold, creative, and innovative solutions,” Consumers International launched a snapshot of the current consumer journey when purchasing everyday goods and the sustainability choices they are faced with. 

On World Consumer Rights Day 2021, it was highlighted that consumers want and are demanding change in making sustainable choices more readily available and accessible for all. Nearly 74% of consumers in Europe, the United States, and South America are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging.

Inspired by Which? research, assessments were conducted on the packaging of 11 internationally available branded products across nine countries. The aim was to understand the unique consumer experience of recycling and the sustainability choices they are faced with.

This research was led by nine Consumers International members in India (CAG), United Kingdom (Which?), Brazil (PROTESTE), Australia (CHOICE), New Zealand (Consumer NZ), Portugal (DECO), France (UFC Que Choisir), Malaysia (FOMCA), and Hong Kong (Hong Kong Consumer Council) – representing around 1.8 billion consumers.

Across all nine participating countries, it was found that consumers were facing packaging that was misleading, unclear, and not recyclable in practice. Unequal access to adequate recycling infrastructure across and within countries fails consumers who are often motivated and willing to recycle.

As a result, the research highlights the urgent actions needed from companies, governments, and standard setters to apply a consumer rights lens to create an accessible, comprehensive, and effective consumer recycling experience.

To ensure this piece of research reflects all regions, Consumers International also reached out to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe. Due to capacity, CCZ was unable to participate in carrying out the research. However, they still shared insightful comments on the current consumer experience with packaging in Zimbabwe. They noted that plastic packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste and do not meet the biodegradable standard. Such packaging is often discarded in landfills or in the environment. 

+ KEY TAKEAWAYS

Recycling is not working: Consumers in all nine countries are unable to easily recycle all products in practice. On average, 35% of the packaging weight across all 11 products is not easily recycled in practice, even for consumers who are motivated to recycle

Burden of responsibility: No product was labelled clearly across all nine countries. There was misleading, unclear, and confusing labelling leaving consumers with limited choice at purchase and at recycling.

Unequal access: Packaging recyclability and labelling information varied across the nine countries. There is a vast difference in how easy it is to recycle the 11 product’s packaging in practice across the nine countries

Voluntary commitments: Progress towards sustainable packaging is inconsistent. Companies can help make recycling in practice easier for consumers by upholding their commitments.

Recyclability in practice: In some cases, products were labelled as recyclable, but not recyclable in practice. To be truly sustainable, the full journey of the product must be taken into account.

WHAT NEXT?

Now is a critical time to address the sustainability of everyday packaging. The marketplace must respond to consumers’ desire for change in making the sustainable choice easier for all. It should no longer fall on the shoulders of consumers to make decisions, based on poor and confusing packaging information.

Companies, governments, and standard setters must apply a consumer rights lens to deliver a safer, fairer, and more sustainable marketplace for all. 

Consumers International launches snapshot of current consumer journey when purchasing everyday goods and sustainability choices

Posted in: Environment 05/06/2021 - 03:31

LONDON, April 22, 2021 (Press Release) -Packaging is a constant part of daily life for all consumers. Whilst this allows for fresh and portable products, the rise of single-use packaging, especially those made from plastic, is having disastrous effect on the environment and our health. 

As a contribution to Earth Day 2021, that has a vision for “the world to hold sectors accountable for their role in our environmental crisis while also calling for bold, creative, and innovative solutions,” Consumers International launched a snapshot of the current consumer journey when purchasing everyday goods and the sustainability choices they are faced with. 

On World Consumer Rights Day 2021, it was highlighted that consumers want and are demanding change in making sustainable choices more readily available and accessible for all. Nearly 74% of consumers in Europe, the United States, and South America are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging.

Inspired by Which? research, assessments were conducted on the packaging of 11 internationally available branded products across nine countries. The aim was to understand the unique consumer experience of recycling and the sustainability choices they are faced with.

This research was led by nine Consumers International members in India (CAG), United Kingdom (Which?), Brazil (PROTESTE), Australia (CHOICE), New Zealand (Consumer NZ), Portugal (DECO), France (UFC Que Choisir), Malaysia (FOMCA), and Hong Kong (Hong Kong Consumer Council) – representing around 1.8 billion consumers.

Across all nine participating countries, it was found that consumers were facing packaging that was misleading, unclear, and not recyclable in practice. Unequal access to adequate recycling infrastructure across and within countries fails consumers who are often motivated and willing to recycle.

As a result, the research highlights the urgent actions needed from companies, governments, and standard setters to apply a consumer rights lens to create an accessible, comprehensive, and effective consumer recycling experience.

To ensure this piece of research reflects all regions, Consumers International also reached out to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe. Due to capacity, CCZ was unable to participate in carrying out the research. However, they still shared insightful comments on the current consumer experience with packaging in Zimbabwe. They noted that plastic packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste and do not meet the biodegradable standard. Such packaging is often discarded in landfills or in the environment. 

+ KEY TAKEAWAYS

Recycling is not working: Consumers in all nine countries are unable to easily recycle all products in practice. On average, 35% of the packaging weight across all 11 products is not easily recycled in practice, even for consumers who are motivated to recycle

Burden of responsibility: No product was labelled clearly across all nine countries. There was misleading, unclear, and confusing labelling leaving consumers with limited choice at purchase and at recycling.

Unequal access: Packaging recyclability and labelling information varied across the nine countries. There is a vast difference in how easy it is to recycle the 11 product’s packaging in practice across the nine countries

Voluntary commitments: Progress towards sustainable packaging is inconsistent. Companies can help make recycling in practice easier for consumers by upholding their commitments.

Recyclability in practice: In some cases, products were labelled as recyclable, but not recyclable in practice. To be truly sustainable, the full journey of the product must be taken into account.

WHAT NEXT?

Now is a critical time to address the sustainability of everyday packaging. The marketplace must respond to consumers’ desire for change in making the sustainable choice easier for all. It should no longer fall on the shoulders of consumers to make decisions, based on poor and confusing packaging information.

Companies, governments, and standard setters must apply a consumer rights lens to deliver a safer, fairer, and more sustainable marketplace for all. 

Read more

LONDON, May 5, 2021 (Press Release) -Today we can proudly announce that we have achieved another of our Now and Next Sustainability targets; training 100% of DS Smith’s designers, across 26 countries in our Circular Design Principles.

WHAT ARE THE CIRCULAR DESIGN PRINCIPLES?

To a large extent, the environmental impact of a product is determined during the design stage, from the materials used to the way the products are manufactured; this is why we collaborated with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to design the Circular Design Principles in 2020.

OUR NOW AND NEXT SUSTAINABILITY TARGET

Our Now and Next Sustainability Strategy set a target of training 100% of our designers in our Circular Design Principles to help us deliver packaging solutions that are circular ready.

These principles help our Designers adopt a re-use, return, repurpose and recycle mindset  during the design stage and encourages them to follow our Materials Hierarchy, where 100% of our solutions are reusable or recyclable and are fully optimised for our customer supply chains.

Circular design 'is the new frontier of opportunity’ according to Joe Iles, Circular Design Programme Lead for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. These principles go beyond recyclability alone, and look at regenerative sourcing and re-use models, shifting us away from the take, make, waste — or linear — system that we have today.

They offer a radical re-wiring of the way we create our products, always designing with the end use in mind.

The Circular Design Principles translate the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy model into practical techniques, tools and process that we can use everyday to support our customers’ transition to more circular packaging solutions. By training 100% of our designers in these principles we set the industry standard for design and innovation. We can proudly claim that from the start of the design process we are working towards our Purpose, ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’, creating exciting new products which tackle the sustainability challenges we face Now and Next. — Alan Potts, Design and Innovation Director

OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

This May we celebrate two years of being a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Since establishing this partnership in 2018, our efforts to support the transition to the Circular Economy have continued to strengthen. Our designers were trained in the Circular Design Principles with the support of the Foundation.

DS Smith achieves new sustainability targets by training 100% of its designers across 26 countries in Circular Design Principles

Posted in: Environment 05/05/2021 - 09:11

LONDON, May 5, 2021 (Press Release) -Today we can proudly announce that we have achieved another of our Now and Next Sustainability targets; training 100% of DS Smith’s designers, across 26 countries in our Circular Design Principles.

WHAT ARE THE CIRCULAR DESIGN PRINCIPLES?

To a large extent, the environmental impact of a product is determined during the design stage, from the materials used to the way the products are manufactured; this is why we collaborated with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to design the Circular Design Principles in 2020.

OUR NOW AND NEXT SUSTAINABILITY TARGET

Our Now and Next Sustainability Strategy set a target of training 100% of our designers in our Circular Design Principles to help us deliver packaging solutions that are circular ready.

These principles help our Designers adopt a re-use, return, repurpose and recycle mindset  during the design stage and encourages them to follow our Materials Hierarchy, where 100% of our solutions are reusable or recyclable and are fully optimised for our customer supply chains.

Circular design 'is the new frontier of opportunity’ according to Joe Iles, Circular Design Programme Lead for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. These principles go beyond recyclability alone, and look at regenerative sourcing and re-use models, shifting us away from the take, make, waste — or linear — system that we have today.

They offer a radical re-wiring of the way we create our products, always designing with the end use in mind.

The Circular Design Principles translate the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy model into practical techniques, tools and process that we can use everyday to support our customers’ transition to more circular packaging solutions. By training 100% of our designers in these principles we set the industry standard for design and innovation. We can proudly claim that from the start of the design process we are working towards our Purpose, ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’, creating exciting new products which tackle the sustainability challenges we face Now and Next. — Alan Potts, Design and Innovation Director

OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

This May we celebrate two years of being a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Since establishing this partnership in 2018, our efforts to support the transition to the Circular Economy have continued to strengthen. Our designers were trained in the Circular Design Principles with the support of the Foundation.

Read more

PARCHMENT, MI, May 4, 2021 (Local News) -A $11.9 million settlement was reached in a lawsuit filed over high levels of PFAS contamination in Parchment drinking water.

Jesika Sage, Parchment resident, said her family of nine, like many others in Parchment, have been dealing with contaminated waters for years.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction but how do you put a price tag on a community that’s been poisoned for years on end for profit," Sage said.

WWMT - $11.9M settlement reached over PFAS contamination in Parchment drinking water

Fastmarkets RISI is not responsible for the reliability or availability of content on external websites.

Georgia-Pacific, 3M reach $11.9M settlement over PFAS contamination in Parchment, MI, drinking water

Posted in: Environment 05/04/2021 - 20:19

PARCHMENT, MI, May 4, 2021 (Local News) -A $11.9 million settlement was reached in a lawsuit filed over high levels of PFAS contamination in Parchment drinking water.

Jesika Sage, Parchment resident, said her family of nine, like many others in Parchment, have been dealing with contaminated waters for years.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction but how do you put a price tag on a community that’s been poisoned for years on end for profit," Sage said.

WWMT - $11.9M settlement reached over PFAS contamination in Parchment drinking water

Fastmarkets RISI is not responsible for the reliability or availability of content on external websites.

Read more

RICHMOND, BC, May 3, 2021 (Press Release) -Skookumchuck Pulp has recently received three different administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) from the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for non-compliance events that occurred between 2017 and 2020. Skookumchuck Pulp’s performance has not changed significantly over the last two years; however, all the AMPs the mill has received in its 53-year history have occurred in the last two years. The BC Ministry of Environment has begun using this tool more frequently with all industrial operators in the province.

Exceeding Permitted Discharge Limits of Treated Wastewater

Skookumchuck’s Wastewater Treatment Process

The mill operates a wastewater treatment plant which treats effluent so it is non-toxic when discharged to the Kootenay River. Most of the treatment occurs in the plant’s aeration basins, which supply oxygen and nutrients to bacteria and other microorganisms. These microbes convert organic matter discharged from the pulp mill process into carbon dioxide, water and new microbial biomass. The effluent discharged to the Kootenay River is tested weekly to confirm it is non-toxic.

Events Leading to the Administrative Monetary Penalty

In January 2021, the mill received an AMP of $52,000 for exceeding certain permitted discharge limits of its treated wastewater between December 2018 and February 2020. These exceedances occurred during a period in which the mill was experiencing upset conditions, which forced shutdown on several occasions during the cold winter months. During start-up, issues relating to the cold air temperature impacted the ability of the wastewater treatment system to effectively remove contaminant from the effluent before being discharged into the Kootenay River.

The mill reported these exceedances to the province, as required under its permit. The BC Ministry of Environment has issued an administrative monetary penalty and the federal regulator, Environment and Climate Change Canada, has noted the events but not pursued other enforcement actions.

For some context, on a percentage basis the mill remains in 99% compliance with its permitted effluent discharge requirements. The AMP concerned 9 days in which the mill exceeded non-filterable residue limits, 1 day in which it exceeded biochemical oxygen demand limits and 4 days in which it exceeded toxicity limits, which are the total non-compliances with its permit over the last 4 years.

Skookumchuck’s Response and Improvements Made

The mill’s team has closely examined mill processes to determine the causes for the upset conditions that led to the exceedances. Several outside laboratories and consultants specializing in biological treatment systems have been consulted to help improve the treatment plant’s performance and avoid future events.

Changes undertaken include:

  • reducing mill liquid discharges during upset mill conditions,
  • installing additional aerators in the plant’s aeration basins, and
  • installing equipment that allows additional bacteria to be added to the treatment system to enhance its performance.

Since these actions were taken, there have been no further issues with effluent discharge quality.

Air Emissions Non-Compliance

Skookumchuck’s Air Emissions Tracking

The mill monitors all air emissions sources either continuously or with one-off tests every month or quarter as mandated by government. These sources include the mill’s boilers, lime kiln, and pulping and bleaching systems.

Events Leading to the Administrative Monetary Penalty

On April 21, 2021, the mill received an AMP of $18,800 for non-compliance events relating to air emissions, specifically exceedances of opacity and chlorine dioxide residual concentrations in its bleach plant stack between November 2017 and January 2020. The mill reported these exceedances to the province, as required under its permit.

For some context, the mill is in compliance 99.99% of the time. Each incidence of exceeding power boiler opacity is only three minutes long. Since January 2020, we have exceeded the permit for 156 minutes.

Skookumchuck’s Response and Improvements Made

The mill’s team has closely examined mill processes and the root cause of the elevated levels of chlorine dioxide discharge from the bleach plant was identified to be equipment related.

Changes undertaken include:

  • Maintenance work was immediately performed on the power boiler along with operating adjustments which resulted in a significant improvement in discharge opacity.
  • The mill has instituted a yearly preventative maintenance program for the bleach plant scrubber whereby regular inspections and cleaning is performed.

The mill continues to monitor its performance in these matters closely.

Landfill Non-Compliance

Skookumchuck’s Landfill

The mill has a fully engineered landfill designed to contain lime wastes and ash from burning bark. The mill relied on a leak detection survey completed when the landfill cell was constructed. The mill has added additional groundwater monitoring wells around the landfill, which are sampled and tested on a prescribed schedule with results reported to the Ministry.

Events Leading to the Administrative Monetary Penalty

On April 20, 2021, the mill received an AMP of $40,000 for failing to maintain a leak detection system at its landfill. Currently, the mill’s permit includes a requirement for a leak detection system. In late 2015, the mill and Ministry of Environment agreed it was appropriate for the mill to pursue a permit amendment that would eliminate the need for a leak detection system at the landfill and use the systems described above. However, while the mill does use the systems described above, it failed to pursue this permit amendment, so the requirement for a leak detection system remained in the permit longer than intended.

Skookumchuck’s Response

The mill has gone back to its external consultants and leading experts on landfill design and confirmed that the current design and operation of the landfill meets or exceeds industry standards. The mill will now seek the permit amendment first discussed in 2015 to update its permit to reflect the status of its current landfill operations which meets industry standards.

Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers. The company operates seven mills and a large-scale cargo distribution centre in Canada producing and shipping over 2.8 million tonnes annually with a workforce of more than 2,800. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products.

Paper Excellence: Skookumchuck, BC, pulp mill's response to its environmental penalties for non-compliance events occurs between 2017 and 2020

Posted in: Environment 05/04/2021 - 12:21

RICHMOND, BC, May 3, 2021 (Press Release) -Skookumchuck Pulp has recently received three different administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) from the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for non-compliance events that occurred between 2017 and 2020. Skookumchuck Pulp’s performance has not changed significantly over the last two years; however, all the AMPs the mill has received in its 53-year history have occurred in the last two years. The BC Ministry of Environment has begun using this tool more frequently with all industrial operators in the province.

Exceeding Permitted Discharge Limits of Treated Wastewater

Skookumchuck’s Wastewater Treatment Process

The mill operates a wastewater treatment plant which treats effluent so it is non-toxic when discharged to the Kootenay River. Most of the treatment occurs in the plant’s aeration basins, which supply oxygen and nutrients to bacteria and other microorganisms. These microbes convert organic matter discharged from the pulp mill process into carbon dioxide, water and new microbial biomass. The effluent discharged to the Kootenay River is tested weekly to confirm it is non-toxic.

Events Leading to the Administrative Monetary Penalty

In January 2021, the mill received an AMP of $52,000 for exceeding certain permitted discharge limits of its treated wastewater between December 2018 and February 2020. These exceedances occurred during a period in which the mill was experiencing upset conditions, which forced shutdown on several occasions during the cold winter months. During start-up, issues relating to the cold air temperature impacted the ability of the wastewater treatment system to effectively remove contaminant from the effluent before being discharged into the Kootenay River.

The mill reported these exceedances to the province, as required under its permit. The BC Ministry of Environment has issued an administrative monetary penalty and the federal regulator, Environment and Climate Change Canada, has noted the events but not pursued other enforcement actions.

For some context, on a percentage basis the mill remains in 99% compliance with its permitted effluent discharge requirements. The AMP concerned 9 days in which the mill exceeded non-filterable residue limits, 1 day in which it exceeded biochemical oxygen demand limits and 4 days in which it exceeded toxicity limits, which are the total non-compliances with its permit over the last 4 years.

Skookumchuck’s Response and Improvements Made

The mill’s team has closely examined mill processes to determine the causes for the upset conditions that led to the exceedances. Several outside laboratories and consultants specializing in biological treatment systems have been consulted to help improve the treatment plant’s performance and avoid future events.

Changes undertaken include:

  • reducing mill liquid discharges during upset mill conditions,
  • installing additional aerators in the plant’s aeration basins, and
  • installing equipment that allows additional bacteria to be added to the treatment system to enhance its performance.

Since these actions were taken, there have been no further issues with effluent discharge quality.

Air Emissions Non-Compliance

Skookumchuck’s Air Emissions Tracking

The mill monitors all air emissions sources either continuously or with one-off tests every month or quarter as mandated by government. These sources include the mill’s boilers, lime kiln, and pulping and bleaching systems.

Events Leading to the Administrative Monetary Penalty

On April 21, 2021, the mill received an AMP of $18,800 for non-compliance events relating to air emissions, specifically exceedances of opacity and chlorine dioxide residual concentrations in its bleach plant stack between November 2017 and January 2020. The mill reported these exceedances to the province, as required under its permit.

For some context, the mill is in compliance 99.99% of the time. Each incidence of exceeding power boiler opacity is only three minutes long. Since January 2020, we have exceeded the permit for 156 minutes.

Skookumchuck’s Response and Improvements Made

The mill’s team has closely examined mill processes and the root cause of the elevated levels of chlorine dioxide discharge from the bleach plant was identified to be equipment related.

Changes undertaken include:

  • Maintenance work was immediately performed on the power boiler along with operating adjustments which resulted in a significant improvement in discharge opacity.
  • The mill has instituted a yearly preventative maintenance program for the bleach plant scrubber whereby regular inspections and cleaning is performed.

The mill continues to monitor its performance in these matters closely.

Landfill Non-Compliance

Skookumchuck’s Landfill

The mill has a fully engineered landfill designed to contain lime wastes and ash from burning bark. The mill relied on a leak detection survey completed when the landfill cell was constructed. The mill has added additional groundwater monitoring wells around the landfill, which are sampled and tested on a prescribed schedule with results reported to the Ministry.

Events Leading to the Administrative Monetary Penalty

On April 20, 2021, the mill received an AMP of $40,000 for failing to maintain a leak detection system at its landfill. Currently, the mill’s permit includes a requirement for a leak detection system. In late 2015, the mill and Ministry of Environment agreed it was appropriate for the mill to pursue a permit amendment that would eliminate the need for a leak detection system at the landfill and use the systems described above. However, while the mill does use the systems described above, it failed to pursue this permit amendment, so the requirement for a leak detection system remained in the permit longer than intended.

Skookumchuck’s Response

The mill has gone back to its external consultants and leading experts on landfill design and confirmed that the current design and operation of the landfill meets or exceeds industry standards. The mill will now seek the permit amendment first discussed in 2015 to update its permit to reflect the status of its current landfill operations which meets industry standards.

Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers. The company operates seven mills and a large-scale cargo distribution centre in Canada producing and shipping over 2.8 million tonnes annually with a workforce of more than 2,800. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products.

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BOSTON, May 4, 2021 (PRNewswire) -Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, today released its 2020 Sustainability Report, illustrating Sappi's continued commitment to sustainable development. The report highlights the ways that Sappi remained innovative and prosperous during the COVID-19 pandemic; its commitment to employee safety and third-party collaborations for sustainability initiatives; and ambitious plans to meet its strategic business goals for 2025.

"In 2020, we continued to build on our sustainability commitments and created a foundation of new strategies to tackle our global business goals which will guide us into 2025," said Mike Haws, President and CEO, Sappi North America. "We are confident in our capacity to grow as a business while contributing toward building a circular, sustainable economy."

Sustainability Achievements

Sappi North America's 2020 results exhibit its commitment to innovation, sustainability and business growth throughout its communities. Highlights from the report include:

  • How Sappi responded to the pandemic as an essential business. Sappi's mills continued to operate as an essential business during the pandemic, and pivoted to creating new products at the onset of the crisis last spring. Its products are now being used to create face shields, packaging for COVID-19 test kits, and disinfecting wipes.
  • A record year for safety. The safety and wellbeing of Sappi employees continues to be a top priority for the company. The company's injury rates in 2020 were the most favorable in Sappi's history, with a lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) of 0.16. This is the third consecutive year that Sappi set a new best-year LTIFR.
  • Recognition of industry-leading sustainability performance. In 2020, Sappi North America was awarded a Platinum score by EcoVadis, a leader in third-party evaluations of business sustainability performance. Sappi scored in the top 1 percent of companies evaluated within its sector, alongside the company's regional counterparts in Sappi Europe and Sappi Southern Africa.
  • Personal and financial resilience. Despite significant challenges over the past year, Sappi finished 2020 on a positive note. Its operational flexibility, and that of its employees and stakeholders, allowed the company to partly mitigate decreasing demand in some sectors by meeting the unexpected need for other products, such as food packaging and pulp for tissue producers.

Sappi North America's 2025 Goals

Sappi Limited's 2020 vision was focused on lowering total energy consumption, reducing waste and increasing certified fiber. For 2025, the company will continue to focus on responsible operations and sourcing, driven by a refreshed corporate brand and purpose as a renewable resources company. Dedicated teams across Sappi evaluated the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) themes and identified seven goals where it can be the most impactful, while addressing broader global concerns. In North America, Sappi is answering the call to help build a better world, in partnership with other global businesses and local communities, to set and achieve ambitious goals for sustainable development.

"We are very pleased with Sappi's achievements over the last year during these unprecedented times," said Beth Cormier, Vice President of Research, Development and Sustainability, Sappi North America. "Across our global operations, the Sappi family was able to adapt and create innovative solutions, a testament to our resourceful and hardworking employees. Our expectations remain high that over the next five years we will see continued success in sustainable development globally and in our local communities."

About Sappi North America, Inc.

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our three diversified businesses – high-quality graphic papers, pulp, and packaging and speciality papers – is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high-quality graphic papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset, and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of dissolving pulp with our Verve brand, a sustainable fiber, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable packaging and specialty papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands, Spectro and Proto, and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers, LusterPrint and LusterCote. We are also one of the world's leading suppliers of casting and release papers with our Ultracast, PolyEx and Classics lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and, state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit.

Sappi North America, Inc. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries.

Sappi North America releases its 2020 Sustainability Report

Posted in: Environment 05/04/2021 - 11:17

BOSTON, May 4, 2021 (PRNewswire) -Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, today released its 2020 Sustainability Report, illustrating Sappi's continued commitment to sustainable development. The report highlights the ways that Sappi remained innovative and prosperous during the COVID-19 pandemic; its commitment to employee safety and third-party collaborations for sustainability initiatives; and ambitious plans to meet its strategic business goals for 2025.

"In 2020, we continued to build on our sustainability commitments and created a foundation of new strategies to tackle our global business goals which will guide us into 2025," said Mike Haws, President and CEO, Sappi North America. "We are confident in our capacity to grow as a business while contributing toward building a circular, sustainable economy."

Sustainability Achievements

Sappi North America's 2020 results exhibit its commitment to innovation, sustainability and business growth throughout its communities. Highlights from the report include:

  • How Sappi responded to the pandemic as an essential business. Sappi's mills continued to operate as an essential business during the pandemic, and pivoted to creating new products at the onset of the crisis last spring. Its products are now being used to create face shields, packaging for COVID-19 test kits, and disinfecting wipes.
  • A record year for safety. The safety and wellbeing of Sappi employees continues to be a top priority for the company. The company's injury rates in 2020 were the most favorable in Sappi's history, with a lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) of 0.16. This is the third consecutive year that Sappi set a new best-year LTIFR.
  • Recognition of industry-leading sustainability performance. In 2020, Sappi North America was awarded a Platinum score by EcoVadis, a leader in third-party evaluations of business sustainability performance. Sappi scored in the top 1 percent of companies evaluated within its sector, alongside the company's regional counterparts in Sappi Europe and Sappi Southern Africa.
  • Personal and financial resilience. Despite significant challenges over the past year, Sappi finished 2020 on a positive note. Its operational flexibility, and that of its employees and stakeholders, allowed the company to partly mitigate decreasing demand in some sectors by meeting the unexpected need for other products, such as food packaging and pulp for tissue producers.

Sappi North America's 2025 Goals

Sappi Limited's 2020 vision was focused on lowering total energy consumption, reducing waste and increasing certified fiber. For 2025, the company will continue to focus on responsible operations and sourcing, driven by a refreshed corporate brand and purpose as a renewable resources company. Dedicated teams across Sappi evaluated the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) themes and identified seven goals where it can be the most impactful, while addressing broader global concerns. In North America, Sappi is answering the call to help build a better world, in partnership with other global businesses and local communities, to set and achieve ambitious goals for sustainable development.

"We are very pleased with Sappi's achievements over the last year during these unprecedented times," said Beth Cormier, Vice President of Research, Development and Sustainability, Sappi North America. "Across our global operations, the Sappi family was able to adapt and create innovative solutions, a testament to our resourceful and hardworking employees. Our expectations remain high that over the next five years we will see continued success in sustainable development globally and in our local communities."

About Sappi North America, Inc.

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our three diversified businesses – high-quality graphic papers, pulp, and packaging and speciality papers – is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high-quality graphic papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset, and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of dissolving pulp with our Verve brand, a sustainable fiber, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable packaging and specialty papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands, Spectro and Proto, and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers, LusterPrint and LusterCote. We are also one of the world's leading suppliers of casting and release papers with our Ultracast, PolyEx and Classics lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and, state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit.

Sappi North America, Inc. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries.

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DEERFIELD, IL, May 3, 2021 (Press Release) -Pregis is formalizing its wide-ranging sustainability initiatives into seven concrete goals to be achieved by the year 2030. Here’s what they are.

The things we value deserve to be protected, whether it’s a gift sent to loved ones, a precious keepsake to commemorate a milestone, or just something special to put a smile on someone’s face. At Pregis, what we value most is our planet — it’s our gift, our keepsake, and our bringer of joy in one. Since the beginning, we have been committed to ensuring that the things we do leave the world a better place than we found it, and we are thrilled to formalize that commitment with our 2K30 Sustainability Goals.

Climate change is no longer an abstract issue — it poses a future threat to the availability of resources for generations to come. Pew Research found that citizens of 13 out of 26 nations they surveyed view climate change as the top threat in the world. According to research by Kearney, people remain highly concerned about the environment, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why 2K30?

For over 50 years, Pregis has been working on improving our products, processes, and partnerships towards being more sustainable and earth-friendly. When the UN declared 2020 as the Decade of Action, we saw a chance to magnify our impact by aligning what we were already doing with the UN’s broad 2K30 goals. This opportunity to do even more and leave an even bigger mark led to our formal goals.

By the year 2030, Pregis will:

  1. Eliminate one million unnecessary reshipments.
  2. Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 25%.
  3. Save 15 million new trees from harvest.
  4. Make 100 percent of Pregis products recyclable, reusable, or with a minimum 30 percent reduced reliance on new fossil-based ingredients.
  5. Achieve 100 percent product and process waste reduction at Pregis facilities globally.
  6. Invest $15 million in circular, scalable, and sustainable material, process, and waste solutions at our facilities globally.
  7. Make a positive impact on 25 million lives.

What We’re Working Toward

Building a more sustainable future isn’t just about making packaging more recyclable, though that’s certainly an important step. Reaching true sustainability requires more than just working around the edges. Our goal at Pregis is to help build a new kind of circular economy — one where products and processes are designed from the very beginning to use fewer resources, create less waste and pollution, and create a seamless transition between use, reuse, and recycling.

That means working toward making every one of our products less wasteful to produce and easier to recycle. It also means working with our partners to ensure their packages are better protected to ultimately reduce reships, a major contributor to waste. It means investing in better technologies and greener ways of doing things, and giving back to the communities we live and work in. It means monitoring our carbon footprint, and helping the companies we work with monitor theirs. And it means keeping track of everything we do each day and constantly asking, “Is there a more sustainable way of doing this?”

Sustainability Is a Journey

Sustainability doesn’t just happen. It’s a series of steps taken daily by millions of people. It’s the recognition that what we do every day matters, which pushed us to ensure our commitment wasn’t just a set of vague goals, but a true plan. And it’s that recognition that inspired our Pregis Purpose Awards, which we dedicate to partners that have joined us on the journey toward a greener future. Because we can’t make this journey alone.

For over half a century, Pregis has committed itself towards positive change — for ourselves, for our partners, our loved ones, and the world at large. With our 2K30 goals, we have made this commitment formal, and we want to invite everyone to follow us on this journey at the Pregis 2K30 Hub. And we hope that you join us in committing to sustainability with your own 2K30 pledges.

Pregis announces its 2K30 sustainability goals

Posted in: Environment 05/04/2021 - 11:07

DEERFIELD, IL, May 3, 2021 (Press Release) -Pregis is formalizing its wide-ranging sustainability initiatives into seven concrete goals to be achieved by the year 2030. Here’s what they are.

The things we value deserve to be protected, whether it’s a gift sent to loved ones, a precious keepsake to commemorate a milestone, or just something special to put a smile on someone’s face. At Pregis, what we value most is our planet — it’s our gift, our keepsake, and our bringer of joy in one. Since the beginning, we have been committed to ensuring that the things we do leave the world a better place than we found it, and we are thrilled to formalize that commitment with our 2K30 Sustainability Goals.

Climate change is no longer an abstract issue — it poses a future threat to the availability of resources for generations to come. Pew Research found that citizens of 13 out of 26 nations they surveyed view climate change as the top threat in the world. According to research by Kearney, people remain highly concerned about the environment, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why 2K30?

For over 50 years, Pregis has been working on improving our products, processes, and partnerships towards being more sustainable and earth-friendly. When the UN declared 2020 as the Decade of Action, we saw a chance to magnify our impact by aligning what we were already doing with the UN’s broad 2K30 goals. This opportunity to do even more and leave an even bigger mark led to our formal goals.

By the year 2030, Pregis will:

  1. Eliminate one million unnecessary reshipments.
  2. Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 25%.
  3. Save 15 million new trees from harvest.
  4. Make 100 percent of Pregis products recyclable, reusable, or with a minimum 30 percent reduced reliance on new fossil-based ingredients.
  5. Achieve 100 percent product and process waste reduction at Pregis facilities globally.
  6. Invest $15 million in circular, scalable, and sustainable material, process, and waste solutions at our facilities globally.
  7. Make a positive impact on 25 million lives.

What We’re Working Toward

Building a more sustainable future isn’t just about making packaging more recyclable, though that’s certainly an important step. Reaching true sustainability requires more than just working around the edges. Our goal at Pregis is to help build a new kind of circular economy — one where products and processes are designed from the very beginning to use fewer resources, create less waste and pollution, and create a seamless transition between use, reuse, and recycling.

That means working toward making every one of our products less wasteful to produce and easier to recycle. It also means working with our partners to ensure their packages are better protected to ultimately reduce reships, a major contributor to waste. It means investing in better technologies and greener ways of doing things, and giving back to the communities we live and work in. It means monitoring our carbon footprint, and helping the companies we work with monitor theirs. And it means keeping track of everything we do each day and constantly asking, “Is there a more sustainable way of doing this?”

Sustainability Is a Journey

Sustainability doesn’t just happen. It’s a series of steps taken daily by millions of people. It’s the recognition that what we do every day matters, which pushed us to ensure our commitment wasn’t just a set of vague goals, but a true plan. And it’s that recognition that inspired our Pregis Purpose Awards, which we dedicate to partners that have joined us on the journey toward a greener future. Because we can’t make this journey alone.

For over half a century, Pregis has committed itself towards positive change — for ourselves, for our partners, our loved ones, and the world at large. With our 2K30 goals, we have made this commitment formal, and we want to invite everyone to follow us on this journey at the Pregis 2K30 Hub. And we hope that you join us in committing to sustainability with your own 2K30 pledges.

Read more

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