Certification Validates the Company's Commitment to Sustainable Forestry Initiatives
HARTSVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2009--Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging
companies, today announced it has received certification from the
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)(R) for the management of its
forests. The certification recognizes businesses and industries that
demonstrate responsible and sustainable forestry practices.
Sonoco currently owns and manages approximately 56,490 acres of
timberland that are included within the scope of the SFI Standard. These
Company-owned forests are primarily hardwoods and provide a fiber source
used to produce corrugated paper at Sonoco's Hartsville-based paper
mill. The Company ensures maximum utilization of the trees harvested by
using "in-woods" whole tree chippers.
Sonoco began participating in the SFI program in 1995 and achieved
independent certification by:
-- practicing sustainable forestry
-- regenerating the forest and maintaining productive capacity
-- protecting and maintaining long-term forest and soil productivity
-- protecting water resources
-- protecting special sites and biological diversity
-- promoting and protecting wildlife habitat
-- complying with appropriate legal requirements
-- continually working to improve its overall forest management practices
"Receiving the SFI certification for forestry management was important
to us because it's a responsibility we've always taken very seriously at
Sonoco," said Jim Bowen, senior vice president Sonoco Recycling and
Internal Supply. "The certification certainly validates our commitment
to sustainable forestry practices and reflects the hard work and
dedication of the employees who made it happen. It also shows that we're
effectively implementing the highest environmental standards possible in
our forestry management program."
A number of specific standards must be met by companies seeking SFI
certification for forestry management. These standards include: annual
audits, proper record keeping and other written documentation,
interviews with responsible personnel and inspection of field sites.
About SFI Inc.
SFI Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit charitable organization, and is solely
responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving the Sustainable
Forestry Initiative program (www.sfiprogram.org),
a sustainable forestry certification program that is internationally
recognized and among the largest in the world. Across North America,
152.6 million acres (61.7 million hectares) are certified to the SFI
2005-2009 Standard, which is based on principles and measures that
promote sustainability, including measures to protect water quality,
biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk and forests with
exceptional conservation value. The SFI Standard includes unique fiber
sourcing requirements that promote responsible forest management on all
suppliers' lands. SFI Inc. also has chain-of-custody certification,
which is used to tell buyers how much certified fiber is in a specific
product.
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a $4.0 billion global manufacturer of
industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services,
with more than 300 operations in 35 countries, serving customers in some
85 nations. For more information the Company, go to our Web site at http://www.sonoco.com.
CONTACT: Sonoco
Robin Montgomery, 843-383-7509
robin.montgomery@sonoco.com
Source: Sonoco