At its recent annual meeting in San Antonio, the American Forest & Paper Association presented eight Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability awards to seven companies.

The recipients included Evergreen Packaging, for paper recovery for recycling; WestRock Company, for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction by a large company; Seaman Paper Company for energy efficiency and emissions reductions by a small company; and Domtar, for sustainable forest management.

Others receiving awards were Resolute Forest Products, for safety and working toward zero accidents; and International Paper, for partnering with the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority in safeguarding clean water. Domtar was recognized for innovation in sustainability in its Plymouth K-lime project, and Verso Corporation for innovation in identifying and mapping vernal pools in Michigan state lands.

AF&PA said that its sustainability report shows that the US pulp, paper, packaging and wood products industry has made significant, measurable progress toward sustainability goals for the year 2020.