Arjowiggins Graphic FSC COP21 Interview
Arjowiggins Graphic, has signed the recent FSC manifesto at COP21, working to preserve the value of forests and fighting to mitigate climate change.
As pioneers of global forest preservation, FSC wants to challenge decisions makers by launching a manifesto. Why? To work with key stakeholders to provide a solution in the preservation of forests and to make FSC more mainstream, for public and private businesses and also for consumers.
Gilles Lhermitte, Sustainable Development Director at Arjowiggins Graphic, explains in the following interview why Arjowiggins Graphic signed this manifesto.
Gilles' comments can also be read below:
Why did you sign this manifesto?
The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a major objective for Arjowiggins Graphic; not only in its own installations and processes, but also through its supply of raw materials. We are also convinced that forests have a major role to play in the fight against global warming. As such, since 2009 we have been in partnership with FSC France to promote responsible forestry management. It was thus completely logical that we support FSC France’s manifesto within the framework of COP21.
What part does FSC certification play in Arjowiggins Graphic’s policy ?
Arjowiggins Graphic’s policy falls into two areas. The first one being the generalisation of a high quality offer of recycled paper with a high whiteness which applies to all the graphic applications of today. The second being our commitment to only ever use virgin fibers sourced from forests managed in a responsible way. As a result, all the ranges proposed by Arjowiggins Graphic today are available with FSC certification, the guarantee of our commitment in a responsible management for forest resources.
Forests for all, for ever.
For further information, visit the FSC dedicated website: www.fsccop21.com
As an official event partner of COP21, Arjowiggins Graphic has aimed to promote and develop the use of recycled papers – in Europe recycled paper only accounts for 12%* of paper usage and yet omits 38% less CO2 than a non recycled paper.
The company pioneered eco-responsible paper solutions embracing the principles of the Circular Economy and significantly reducing the impact of paper manufacture on the environment. Arjowiggins Graphic in partnership with La Poste, provided an immediate demonstration of this approach at the COP21 event. Arjowiggins Graphic provided 4,000,000 sheets of 100% recycled A4 paper to used by negotiators and attendees, including the paper the COP21 agreement was signed on.
At the end of COP21, La Poste collected and sorted the waste paper and transported it directly to Arjowiggins Graphic Greenfield mill, just 100km away, the waste paper will then be deinked and transformed into a high white paper pulp which will then be manufactured into reams of high white office paper at the Le Bourray paper mill.
* source: CEPI 2014
The production of recycled paper, compared to the production of a virgin fibres paper:
- Requires up to 2.5 times less water and energy
- Reduces CO2 emissions up to - 38%
- Diverts waste paper from landfill
*Source: Water and energy (BREF, Arjowiggins Graphic), CO2 (Labelia Conseil)