Movement to transform paper packaging gains momentum
Today, twelve brands and innovators from across the retail spectrum have acted to address the growing climate and biodiversity crises by committing to keep Ancient and Endangered Forests out of the paper packaging and Man-made Cellulosic Fibre (MMCF) supply chains. The commitments are part of solutions-driven non-profit Canopy’s Pack4Good and CanopyStyle initiatives which currently represent over 403 and 547 brand partners respectively. Together the initiatives are shifting supply chains away from vital forests to low-impact, circular Next Gen Solutions.
“At Cheekbone, it is our mandate to develop sustainable colour cosmetics with traditional indigenous teachings weaved into every step of the product development process,” said Jenn Harper the CEO and founder of Cheekbone Beauty. “With Pack4Good we can also be part of the movement to end paper packaging’s impact on forests, and to shift to alternatives that are better for our planet. We look forward to showing leadership in the beauty industry and to our work with Canopy.”
Paper packaging is a key driver of forest loss globally, as 3.1 billion trees are cut down annually to produce the boxes and bags that products are packaged and shipped in. Paper packaging production has increased 65% over the past two years, with main drivers being the rise in e-commerce and necessary shifts away from plastic.
“The range of companies and sectors represented in today’s announcement reflects the breadth of market response to the growing climate and biodiversity crises and intensifying supply chain disruptions,” said Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy. “Today’s brand partners add significant momentum to global conservation efforts and the movement to transform ‘take, make, waste’ supply chains to be lower-impact and Next Gen.”
Today’s Pack4Good adopters have committed to:
- Eliminate Ancient and Endangered Forests from their paper packaging supply chain.
- Reduce material use through design innovation.
- Maximize recycled content.
- Explore and scale alternative Next Gen fibres (such as agricultural residues).
- Where virgin fibre is necessary, use FSC-certified fibre.
Sourcing for MMCF-based viscose and rayon textiles is responsible for over 300 million trees being logged every year. CanopyStyle policies help to accelerate the MMCF supply chain’s transition to lower-impact, Next Gen alternatives.
Today’s brand partners bring the Pack4Good initiative to 403 brand partners representing 203 billion USD in annual collective revenue, and the CanopyStyle initiative to 547 brand partners representing one trillion USD in annual collective revenue.
Read more about the companies in today’s announcement here.
Read quotes from the companies here.
Packaging Facts:
- 55% of U.S. survey respondents said they were extremely or very concerned about how product packaging would impact the environment. (McKinsey)
- When paper rots, it emits methane gas, which is 25 times more toxic than CO2.
- 88% of respondents reported being concerned about deforestation related to (assuming paper) packaging.
- Agricultural conversion for key commodities like beef and leather, soy, palm oil, timber and pulp and paper drives around 60% of deforestation.
For more information, please contact:
Laura Repas, Communications Marketing Specialist
+1 416-729-7484
Communications@canopyplanet.org
About Canopy
Canopy is a solutions-driven not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting forests, species, and climate. Canopy has collaborated with more than 900 companies to develop cutting-edge environmental policies that transform unsustainable supply chains, spark innovative solutions, and protect our world’s remaining Ancient and Endangered Forests. www.canopyplanet.org
