Creve Coeur, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois, USA, 06 January 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NYSE: SSCC) announced today that all of its U.S. paper mills have been recommended for chain-of-custody certification to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards.
Having its mill system fully certified allows Smurfit-Stone to trace and verify the origin of the fiber used in its papermaking operations. This is becoming an increasingly important requirement for many companies that are looking to partner with packaging manufacturers that can help them meet their social and environmental goals.
"Smurfit-Stone is committed to responsible and sustainable fiber sourcing, and completing this certification process division-wide reaffirms our beliefs," said Mike Exner, senior vice president and general manager, Mill division. "The chain-of-custody certification also helps us better support our customers in meeting their sustainability goals."
The chain-of-custody certification audits were conducted over a two-week period at the end of 2010. Smurfit-Stone's mills will have the following certifications:
- SFI Certified Fiber Sourcing – U.S. mills' procurement system;
- SFI chain-of-custody certification – U.S. mills;
- PEFC chain-of-custody certification – all pulp and paper mills; and
- FSC chain-of-custody certification – all pulp and paper mills.
Smurfit-Stone's Matane, Quebec, mill also has been recommended for PEFC and FSC certifications, and its La Tuque, Quebec, mill received PEFC and FSC certifications in 2009. Smurfit-Stone anticipates extending the chain-of-custody certifications within its converting operations throughout 2011 and 2012.
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is one of the industry's leading integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging producers and one of the world's largest paper recyclers. The company is a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Chicago Climate Exchange. Smurfit-Stone generated revenue of USD 5.57 billion in 2009; has led the industry in safety every year since 2001; and conducts its business in compliance with the environmental, health, and safety principles of the American Forest & Paper Association. Fo additional information, visit www.smurfit-stone.com.
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