■ Product Stewardship

Product stewardship is a product-centered approach to environmental management which calls on those in the product life cycle—manufacturers, retailers, users, and disposers—to share responsibility for reducing the environmental impacts of products. As consumer preferences evolve to include elements of product origin and ‘supply chain’, Buckeye has become more engaged in providing products and services which meet these expectations. Here are a few examples:

In our 2009 report, we announced that our Steinfurt, Germany, plant achieved FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification) Chain of Custody and Controlled Wood Certification for select products. This certification assures customers that sourcing of either FSC or PEFC certified or controlled wood fiber is documented as it passes through the supply chain from the forest through the Steinfurt manufacturing process to our customers. In 2010, this certification allowed the Steinfurt plant to produce the first table top products with these Chain of Custody endorsements. We are currently looking to expand this line of products.

Click here to read the requirements of controlled wood fiber.

ORGANIC PROCESSOR

Our Lumberton, North Carolina, plant responded to industry requests for organic hygienic cotton products by completing the requirements for Certified Organic Processor under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Program.

Sustainable Forest Management

Buckeye made a strategic purchase of more than 8,100 acres of forestland adjacent to its Perry, Florida, plant site this year. This land is suitable for further expansion of our biomass crop production efforts and provides a secure source for the slash pine we use for our specialty pulps. With this acquisition, Buckeye is expanding its sustainable forest certification from only fiber procurement to include forest management and Chain of Custody certification.