WASHINGTON - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) presented its 2016 Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Awards at AF&PA's annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 11 in Cary, North Carolina.

Five AF&PA member companies received awards from 23 outstanding submissions across the industry: http://afandpa.org/sustainability/sustainability-award-winners

"Our members' efforts to improve the sustainability of their operations aid progress toward the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 goals and keep our industry at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing," said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. "We applaud the ingenuity and commitment of these award-winning initiatives."

2016 AF&PA Sustainability Award Winners

Leadership in Sustainability - Paper Recovery for Recycling
Dart Container Corporation: Dart Container Employee Recycling Center

Leadership in Sustainability - Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Sappi North America: Hood Heat Recovery Project at Somerset

Leadership in Sustainability - Safety
WestRock Company: Safety First, Safety Always

Leadership in Sustainability - Water
Procter & Gamble: Water Conservation Response

Innovation in Sustainability
Georgia-Pacific: Protecting Endangered Forests and Special Areas

Designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry, AF&PA's annual awards are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories. Projects that support progress toward the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals qualify for recognition in the "Leadership" category, which has five subcategories that correspond to the goals: Paper Recovery for Recycling, Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Sustainable Forest Management, Safety, and Water. The "Innovation in Sustainability" award is reserved for projects that merit recognition for their contribution to sustainable business practices, not one of the goals specifically.

AF&PA's 2016 Sustainability Report showed that the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals. For more information, visit sustainability.afandpa.org.