Paperboard itself is made from a renewable resource, but converters need to focus on the whole package.

By Missy Smith

It also comes from forestland, a natural, renewable resource, according to the Abundant Forests Alliance (AFA). The AFA supports sustainable forestry certification programs conducted independently from the industry that grant certification to forestland managed according to strict environmental guidelines and standards. “[Paperboard is] as abundant today as it was a century ago thanks to improving sustainable forestry practices,” explains Rod Lowman, president, AFA. “Additionally, the fibers in paperboard can be recycled, biodegraded, composted, or incinerated to produce energy. The PPC points out that 70 percent of the industry’s raw material needs is met with recovered paper fibers.”