Business News
Smurfit-Stone Publishes 2007 Environmental and Social Responsibility Report
Thursday 03. January 2008 - Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NASDAQ:SSCC) has published its 2007 Environmental and Social Responsibility report. Entitled "A Sustainable Commitment", the report highlights some of the company's achievements in the areas of workplace safety, environmental responsibility, operational excellence, and community support.
“Smurfit-Stone is committed to providing high quality packaging products and services while reducing our environmental footprint,” said Patrick J. Moore, Smurfit-Stone chairman and chief executive officer. “One of our core values is to make wise use of our natural resources and to give back to our communities. Smurfit-Stone has a long-standing record of accomplishments in improving the quality of the environment, the character of our communities and the well-being of our employees. This report is a welcome opportunity to share some of our success stories.”
Highlights cited in the 2007 report include:
— The company’s industry-leading safety performance every year since 2001 as demonstrated by its Hodge, LA, mill logging two million hours without a recordable injury.
— Smurfit-Stone’s forest resources group working with a landowner to preserve a rare Jackson Prairie in Louisiana.
— A partnership between the company’s Ontonagon, MI, mill and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, to help restore ecological balance to the south shore of Lake Superior.
— Support for long-term forest health and productivity by annually distributing more than 24 million seedlings for planting on private and public lands.
— Recovery of approximately 6.6 million tons of paper and almost 128,000 tons of non-paper recyclables in 2006, and new equipment installation to recover even more recyclable material.
— Focus on Smurfit-Stone’s responsible environmental practices including information about environmental management systems, investments, training, auditing, and product certification.
— The company’s commitment to its people, local communities, and corporate governance code of conduct.