Sustainability in 2014

Danielle Jerschefske interviews a supplier, trade organization, converter and a recycler of packaging waste to see how far the North American industry has moved towards a sustainable future
Sustainability in 2014

The global labels industry has come to understand that sustainability is about reducing the impact that our manufacturing and trade places on the planet and its resources. Avery Dennison is playing its part as a leading international materials supplier by driving transparency in the value chain, by setting new standards and by serving as a resource for education and support.

Says Rosalyn Bandy, senior sustainability manager for Avery Dennison’s Materials Group, ‘Sustainability is a value chain issue, and overcoming the challenges of reducing impact is very hard to do in isolation.’

More brand owners are expressing interest in the environmental and social impacts within the paper supply chain. They are not willing to jeopardize brand equity with the incorporation of at-risk paper sourced from High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) into their packaging.

In 2013 Avery Dennison introduced its Responsible Paper Procurement Policy. Over the course of this year the company is taking action towards implementing the policy and making it a reality.

The policy covers PCW papers, recycled content papers and papers made from pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests. Avery Dennison has partnered with the Rainforest Alliance and uses the NGO’s Smartsource platform as a tool for evaluating its supply chain management initiatives. Says Bandy, ‘In this way, converters can share that information with their customers.’

Danielle Jerschefske

  • Sustainability columnist