Buckeye Technologies Inc. announced the release of its 2012 Sustainability Report. This report (which summarizes calendar year 2011 results) highlights Buckeye's continuing efforts to reduce fossil fuel usage, water usage, solid waste production, and air emissions.
Buckeye has reduced greenhouse gas emissions which are generated by fossil fuels and purchased electricity by over 10% per ton since 2007, and now generates 77% of its total energy needs from renewable biomass. In addition, significant reductions of water used daily were achieved (down 6% since 2007) while reducing wastes by 30% since 2007.
The report also shares information about Buckeye's social impacts, including employees' impressive response to a renewed corporate-wide commitment to safety, reducing the Total Incidence Rate from 3.5 to 2.0 during the reporting period.
Buckeye announced separately in May 2012 that our Foley plant located near Perry, FL, achieved certifications from three internationally recognized organizations that promote responsibly managed forests: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). These certifications followed a rigorous year-long process of developing documents, manuals and procedures to guide fiber procurement and track fiber chain of custody.
The purpose of these certifications is to ensure that companies which use forest resources meet society's needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Buckeye is committed to monitoring and reviewing its sustainable forestry programs and to continually improving and broadening the practice of sustainable forestry. Certification to these standards further demonstrates Buckeye's commitment to meeting customer demand for products that are derived from forest fiber that is legally harvested and well-managed.
John Crowe, Chairman and CEO, emphasized that "Buckeye is continuing to make progress on our sustainability strategy which embraces the importance of protecting the environment and resources for future generations while leveraging long-term business and shareholder value."
