In a recent press release, Green Bay Packaging announced that its mill achieved "net-zero water in its production of 100% recycled containerboard paper, the first-ever UL with validation of this environmental claim."

Green Bay Packaging's press release goes on to state: "Environmental sustainability has always been at the core of Green Bay Packaging's values. Our goal is to operate the most environmentally friendly mill system in the United States, with water quality in our communities a primary focus," says Green Bay Packaging President and CEO, William Kress.

The Net-Zero Water system at the Green Bay mill reduces water demand through use of reclaimed water and alternative water sources, offsetting the need for freshwater consumption. The goal in achieving net-zero water is to transform a water-intense process into a more efficient process, returning more water to the water source than has been removed.

Green Bay Packaging has been a strong stakeholder in developing a rigorous procedure for assessing site water balance, said William Hoffman, research scientist in UL's Retail and Consumer Products group. By achieving Net-Zero Water Use based on the UL Environmental Claim Validation Procedure, Green Bay Packaging has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and preserving water resources for future use.

UL, the global safety leader, established the first industrial global standard of its kind with the UL 1397, Environment Validation Claim Procedure for Net-Zero Water, published January 27, 2022. Green Bay Packaging's implemented water-use strategy to minimize the impact of water use on the watershed and increase water resiliency, parallels the net-zero concept.

The EPA has resources on its website for achieving Net-Zero and states that:

"Net Zero and Net Positive (NZ/NP) strategies emphasize taking a systems approach to reduce water, energy, and waste footprints in installations and communities. These NZ/NP strategies provide long-term solutions for sustainability and resilience by meeting the environmental objectives of clean air and water, and reducing or eliminating waste sent to landfill, while ensuring the long-term viability of resources is not only maintained but also improved. At their core, NZ/NP strategies represent sustainability in action.

"Net Zero means consuming only as much energy as is produced, achieving a sustainable balance between water availability and demand, and eliminating solid waste sent to landfills.

"Achieving Net Zero Water means limiting the consumption of water resources and returning it back to the same watershed so as not to deplete the resources of that region in quantity or quality over the course of the year."

Congratulations to Green Bay Packaging for its achievement.