Sonoco’s Forestry Management Program Receives SFI Certification

HARTSVILLE, S.C.—Sonoco announced it has received certification from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)® for the management of its forests. The certification recognizes businesses and industries that demonstrate responsible and sustainable forestry practices.

Sonoco currently owns and manages approximately 56,490 acres of timberland that are included within the scope of the SFI Standard. These Company-owned forests are primarily hardwoods and provide a fiber source used to produce corrugated paper at Sonoco’s Hartsville-based paper mill. The Company ensures maximum utilization of the trees harvested by using “in-woods” whole tree chippers.

Sonoco began participating in the SFI program in 1995 and achieved independent certification by:
• practicing sustainable forestry
• regenerating the forest and maintaining productive capacity
• protecting and maintaining long-term forest and soil productivity
• protecting water resources
• protecting special sites and biological diversity
• promoting and protecting wildlife habitat
• complying with appropriate legal requirements
• continually working to improve its overall forest management practices

“Receiving the SFI certification for forestry management was important to us because it’s a responsibility we’ve always taken very seriously at Sonoco,” said Jim Bowen, senior vice president Sonoco Recycling and Internal Supply. “The certification certainly validates our commitment to sustainable forestry practices and reflects the hard work and dedication of the employees who made it happen. It also shows that we’re effectively implementing the highest environmental standards possible in our forestry management program.”

A number of specific standards must be met by companies seeking SFI certification for forestry management. These standards include: annual audits, proper record keeping and other written documentation, interviews with responsible personnel and inspection of field sites.