On the 27th of February 2015, employees from Sappi Europe’s Headquarters in Brussels headed out to the Forêt de Soignes with a batch of 1,400 saplings, ready to be planted. A further 2,600 will be planted by Natuur en Bos on behalf of Sappi. This will bring to over 12,000 the number of trees replanted by the group since the initiative started 5 years ago.
Sappi’s employee-led tree planting initiative stated in Spring 2010 in association with ANB (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos), the equivalent of the Department of Forestry. This organisation is responsible for the planting of approximately 30,000 trees in the Forêt de Soignes every year as part of the National Forest Management Plan (Belgium).
The tree-planting initiative is just one of a series of actions clearly showing that sustainability is at the heart of everything that Sappi does. Here at Sappi, we have chosen to be eco-effective. This is how we function both as people, and as a company, integrating our approach to business and the environment. Sustainability relies on each individual choosing to be responsible and engaging in regular sustainability related initiatives, no matter how big or small.
Jens Kriete is the Environmental Manager at Sappi Europe, “Sappi is a paper manufacturer and by producing our paper we make sure that forests are managed in a sustainable manner. It’s important that we take the time to go back literally to our roots. Through this team building exercice, not only do we reconnect with this fact, but we can also make the link between sustainability theory and practice.”
La Forêt de Soignes is a forest located in the south-eastern part of Brussels covering an area of over 4400 hectares - http://www.zonienwoud.be
Sappi Fine Paper Europe Tree Planting Expeditions have planted the following numbers of trees:
- Spring 2010 – 1250 trees
- Spring 2011 - 2200 trees
- Winter 2011 – 2000 trees
- Winter 2012 – 2750 trees
- Spring 2015 – 4000 trees
Sappi’s approach to sustainability is based on a holistic view of Planet, People and Prosperity (the 3P’s). These values and commitments underpin everything we do.
Planet: contributing to a world of biodiversity, renewable energy and environmental care
People: adding to the wellbeing, safety and health of employees and communities
Prosperity: aiming at long-term profitability and customer satisfaction through innovation and ethical conduct.
About Sappi
Sappi Europe SA is the leading European producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Sappi Europe is recognised for innovation and quality. Its graphic paper brands include Magno™, Quatro™, Vantage™, Royal™, Galerie™, GalerieArt™ and Jaz™ ranges. Algro®, Fusion®, Leine® and Parade® are the brands for speciality labelling, topliner, packaging papers and boards. Sappi papers are produced in mills accredited with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification and EMAS registration for all our mills in the EU. Sappi European mills hold chain-of-custody certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and/or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™) schemes.
Sappi Europe SA is a division of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with over 12,800 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries, sales offices in 50 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. Learn more about Sappi at www.sappi.com.