Domtar Corp. has met or exceeded three of its six 2020 sustainability goals this year, according to its 2018 Sustainability Update report, which highlights the pulp and paper company’s efforts to take a longer-term view of creating and preserving value for all stakeholders.
“Sustainability is an integral part of our long-term growth strategy, which is exactly why we have been able to meet or surpass half of our 2020 sustainability goals already in 2018 – and why we are well on track to achieve the remaining,” John D. Williams, President and CEO, said.
In the 2018 update, Domtar says its commitment to integrating sustainability into its long-term growth strategy has resulted in key accomplishments, including:
• An 18 percent reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 2010, surpassing its 2020 goal of 15 percent. The 2020 goal has been to reduce total direct and indirect GHG emissions from purchased energy at pulp and paper mills 15 percent by 2020 from 2010 levels. Fuel switching of six power boilers from coal to natural gas over the past few years provided the majority of reductions.
• Completion of a water-cost model for its pulp and paper mills ahead of 2020 schedule. The 2020 goal to develop a model for the company’s pulp and paper mills to measure and more strategically manage the full cost of using water was achieved this year. The model was informed by conducting pilot studies at five mills over the past two years to incorporate unique, site-specific water conditions. Domtar plans to begin operationalizing the full cost of water into its business decisions and conducting additional water-cost assessments at other mills this year.
• An increase in the level of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fibre procured for Domtar pulp and paper mills to 22 percent of total fibre use, exceeding the 2020 goal of 20 percent.
The sustainability update highlights that the company is on track to achieve its remaining 2020 goals, including:
• An expansion of the EarthChoice Ambassador (ECA) program to 76 percent of company facilities. As of 2018, Domtar has established ECA teams in 26 locations across four countries, bringing the company closer to its goal of engaging employees in sustainability through its ECA program in every facility by 2020.
• Reduction of total waste sent to landfills from pulp and paper mills by 36 percent since 2013, approaching the 2020 goal of 40 percent reduction from 2013 levels. Progress on reducing the amount of materials the mills send to landfills is the result of source reduction initiatives and new and expanded beneficial use programs, says the company.
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