In the continuation of the Recycling series, companies in the sector reveal how they implement sustainable initiatives to reduce negative impacts
Globally, the pulp and paper industry and the stationery retail sector are notable due to their high demand for natural resources, mainly wood, the raw material for the production of paper and other products, such as pencils.
In Brazil, one of the world’s main producers of cellulose, this sector plays a fundamental role in the economy, with more than 175 thousand employees distributed across around 4 thousand companies, according to data from the Industry Sector Profile, a platform launched by the National Confederation of Industry. Furthermore, approximately 32.5% of this sector’s production is destined for the international market.
In the first part of the Recycling series, propmark highlighted the increase in environmental concerns and how sustainability has become an important focus for companies and brands, and the pulp and paper sector and the stationery retail trade were not left out of this movement.
It is important to note that, compared to other industries, the environmental impacts of the paper, cellulose and stationery sectors are considerably lower. However, these segments face environmental challenges, such as intensive consumption of water, energy, wood and the generation of chemical waste in the production process.
Jos Sarkis, professor of the administration course at Fundão Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP), explains that, over the years, large corporations in these sectors have assumed greater environmental responsibility. This has translated into significant revisions in production processes, with the majority of paper and cellulose produced in the country now coming from reforestation wood.
Environmental impacts
Analyzing in practice, this sector can have several significant environmental impacts, ranging from its manufacture to the end of its useful life.
Starting with deforestation for cellulose production, which often involves cutting down trees. Still talking about the use of natural resources, the manufacture of these products requires the use of large amounts of water and energy, in addition to the use of chemical products, such as bleach and paint.
At the end of this entire chain, solid waste still remains. Inadequate disposal of this waste can cause negative impacts on the soil.
Role of companies
Suzano, Two Sides, Papirus and Faber-Castell share how they implement their sustainable practices in their operations.
Suzano, a Brazilian company that produces paper and cellulose, says that the company’s sustainability actions begin with planting, with sustainable management in the form of mosaics that intersperse plantations and areas of native forest, favoring the conservation of soil, water and biodiversity .
The company highlights the use of technology in the so-called Floresta 4.0, which combines industry with the forestry environment, such as Tetrys, software that combines analytics technology, big data and artificial intelligence and places the right tree in the ideal place, reducing use of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides and water consumption, in addition to reducing the number of trucks on Brazilian roads.
In its product offering, the company is studying application possibilities for cellulose and other materials from eucalyptus. And these are just a few examples of Suzano’s sustainable practices.
Fbio Mortara, president of Two Sides Brazil and Latin America, says that the company was created with the aim of combating greenwash against paper, printed communication and paper packaging. Two Sides promotes awareness of the use of paper globally, showing its renewable origin, its recyclability and even its ability to be biodegradable.
Read the full article in the October 9, 2023 edition
