Industry highlights leadership, economic contributions at Forest Products Advocacy Day

cindyNEWS

AF&PA CONTACT: Barbara Riley/Chuck Fuqua, (202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org
NWPPA: Chris McCabe, (360) 529-8638, chris@nwpulpandpaper.org
WFPA: Cindy Mitchell, (360)-352-1500, Cmitchell@wfpa.org

Forest Products Industry Highlights Sustainable Manufacturing Leadership, Economic Contributions in Washington State

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Northwest Pulp & Paper Association (NWPPA) and the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) are partnering to host today’s Forest Products Advocacy Day in Olympia, Washington. In meetings with legislators, they plan to highlight industry sustainability successes, including current greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and the recently-announced goal, and discuss upcoming legislation.

Following the success of GHG emission reductions by member companies, AF&PA has announced its new GHG reduction goal of 20 percent by the year 2020. In 2014, sustainable manufacturing practices under the association’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative led to a 16 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by member facilities, surpassing the previous 15 percent reduction goal ahead of schedule. In meetings with Washington state lawmakers, they will discuss how any legislation to regulate or tax GHG emissions should account for industry leadership on emissions reductions.

“Washington’s paper and wood product industry manufactures the products that make everyday life easier and remains committed to sustainability. That focus has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions today and will contribute to further reductions in the years ahead,” said AF& PA President & CEO Donna Harman. “We hope state lawmakers will account for that leadership on the road ahead, allowing Washington’s forest industries to remain globally competitive.”

The Washington forest products industry supports family-wage jobs for 106,000 workers and generates $5.2 billion in wages annually. In Washington alone, forests absorb and store 28.6% of the state’s climate emissions in live trees and harvested products.

“Our companies are faithful stewards of Washington’s abundant natural resources and dedicate themselves to the manufacturing practices that preserve and protect our state’s environment and reduce greenhouse gasses in the process” said NWPPA Executive Director Chris McCabe. “The Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 results speak for themselves. On the road ahead, we look forward to sharing ideas to build on this success without implementing costly and complex new legislation.”

“Washington’s working forests play a valuable role in our state’s economy and help mitigate carbon dioxide, a principal greenhouse gas. Companies, families and individuals work day-in and day-out to produce forest products that are climate friendly and renewable and operate under the most environmentally friendly and sustainable practices that embrace the values of well-managed forests,” said WFPA Executive Director Mark Doumit. “WFPA focuses on promoting balanced forest policies that allow them to continue that work.”

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About AF&PA

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative – Better Practices, Better Planet 2020.The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures over $200 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.

About Northwest Pulp & Paper Association

Formed in 1956, the Northwest Pulp & Paper Association (NWPPA) is an Olympia-based trade association representing 14 member companies and 17 pulp and paper mills in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The association advocates at the state level for its members on legislative and regulatory issues, including environmental and energy policy. NWPPA members produce nearly eight million tons of paper products a year and provide approximately 10,000 predominantly union jobs that pay an average of more than $70,000 a year in wages and benefits. To learn more about NWPPA, visit www.nwpulpandpaper.org or follow them on Twitter @nwppa.

About Washington Forest Protection Association

The Washington Forest Protection Association represents private forest landowners growing and harvesting trees on about 4 million acres in Washington State. Members of the 100-year-old association are large and small companies, individuals and families who practice sustainable forestry in Washington’s private forests. For more information, go to www.wfpa.org.