Despite their significance to life as we know it, forests are disappearing at a rapid rate. In the past 30 years, we have lost more than 1.3 million square kilometres of forests – an area bigger than South Africa.
This warning by Nampak Liquid Cartons managing director Raymond Dube comes as South Africa recently celebrated Arbour Week.
The forestry sector contributes 1.2% to GDP and employs just more than 200 000 people, according to the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development.
As a paperboard packaging manufacturer, Dube says it recognises that forests carry far more value than just the paper they supply.
“But if we are to secure the long-term availability of this natural resource, as well as safeguard our planet’s well-being, it is critical that we support the sustainable management of forests,” he says.
What does it actually mean?
Simply put, sustainable forestry balances the needs of the environment, wildlife and forest communities while ensuring the longevity of forests for future generations, says Dube. In commercial forestry, this means planting, harvesting and replanting in rotation, so that there are always trees of different ages growing at the same time.
Sustainable forests not only provide a renewable resource, but they preserve natural habitats and promote local socio-economic development.
Dube explains that at Nampak Liquid Cartons, for example, 100% of the paper used in their paperboard packaging is from sustainable forests.
Its suppliers have partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) to ensure that their material is sourced from certified sustainable forests, and the wood can be traced through every step of the supply chain.
Graham McKinon, managing director for Stora Enso Southern Africa, a supplier to Nampak Liquid Cartons, explains, “We source wood sustainably for our renewable products, considering the economic, social and environmental aspects. We know the origin of all the wood we use, promoting forest certifications and third-party traceability systems, and make every effort to ensure that more trees are grown than harvested.
“Our ambition is to be a global leader in the circular economy with high-quality renewable packaging materials that address the needs of today’s eco-conscious consumers, and replace fossil-based materials with low carbon, renewable and recyclable alternatives.”
Protecting biodiversity
Integral to the forest certification programmes is the protection of valuable ecosystems, where sustainable forestry can support and maintain biodiversity, adds Dube. Measures include setting aside areas as habitats for wildlife or increasing decaying wood at harvesting sites.
Hundreds of species are dependent on dead wood for their survival, such as insects, small mammals, birds and other plants, which contribute to forest health and stability. Dead wood encompasses lying timber, but also standing dead trees, which can be artificially snagged to promote forest biodiversity.
Contributing to the circular economy
If we are to ease our impact on the planet’s resources by reducing our waste, we need to favour materials that are also recyclable, believes Dube.
He says, “Sustainable forests provide strong, high-quality virgin wood fibres in paper products that allow them to be recycled up to seven times. Choosing a packaging solution that combines renewability and recyclability, such as sustainably sourced paperboard, can help close the loop in the circular economy.”
Dube concludes that Arbour Week offers an opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contribution of healthy, thriving forests to the environment, economy and society. “Supporting sustainable forestry practices can help us to continue reaping these benefits now and into the future.”
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