Shorewood Packaging Introduces greenchoice Sustainable Packaging Solutions

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Shorewood Packaging, a business of International Paper, recently announced the launch of greenchoice™ Environmental Solutions for Packaging and Displays, a new program that helps marketers of a variety of consumer and home entertainment products meet sustainable packaging goals. The program is designed for companies who are just beginning to explore sustainable packaging, in addition to those who already have sustainability initiatives well underway.

greenchoice includes a comprehensive analysis of current packaging, with recommendations on package design—and the use of alternative materials—to meet sustainable packaging requirements. The greenchoice Green Toolbox helps customers evaluate and make choices in six key areas:
• Paper and paperboard – both virgin and recycled choices that are renewable, recoverable, recyclable and biodegradable when composted
• Inks and coatings – such as renewable vegetable oil-based inks and water based coatings
• Alternative materials – such as CD/DVD trays made from recyclable paperboard or plant/vegetable-based materials
• “Green” package and display design – right sizing, fewer pieces, sustainable materials
• A more conscientious supply chain – ways to minimize a company’s carbon footprint *
• Third-party programs that link International Paper’s network of environmental partners to “green” projects like community recycling efforts.

greenchoice also serves to identify ways to replace less desirable packaging and display materials with new innovative solutions that enhance retail appeal and make supply chains more efficient, yet are made from renewable materials that are recyclable and compostable in municipal composting systems.

All greenchoice sustainable packaging solutions meet the criteria established by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition as well as “The Seven R’s” of sustainable packaging set forth by Wal-Mart in its 2006 Sustainable Packaging Initiative.

“We named the program ‘greenchoice’ because it really is all about options,” said Bob Anstine, vice president of marketing and business development for Shorewood Packaging. “Weighing the costs and benefits of going green involves a series of complex choices, each with a different impact on both the product and the environment. greenchoice brings order to the complexity of this topic by providing a solid framework to evaluate alternative packaging and display options, measure against sustainability criteria, and ultimately turn ideas into action.”

Shorewood Packaging began introducing greenchoice to select customers in a series of presentations that began in November 2006. According to Anstine, there has been strong enthusiasm and support for the program. “Customers in a variety of packaging categories have become more sustainable by increasing their reliance on renewable paper, paperboard and inks, as well as alternative materials and “greener” package and P.O.P. display design. And, they have done so without compromising performance or aesthetics,” he said.

In addition to the sustainable packaging and display options provided by Shorewood through greenchoice, International Paper is taking a comprehensive approach to sustainability across all of its paper and packaging products to include forest management, manufacturing, and product stewardship. International Paper’s new Office of Sustainability coordinates sustainability efforts with customers, public and external stakeholders, and suppliers by providing information, technical support, and strategies for current and emerging environmental issues.

* A carton footprint is the total weight of CO2 and other green house gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product.