the paper story

*DESIGN CONCEPT I
The paper story
Made by Nature
Made
byNature
Why choose paper? In a world drowning in waste and running out of non-renewable resources, paper is natural,
renewable, recyclable and biodegradable - one of the few truly sustainable resources available.

SAPPI PLANTS MORE TREES THAN IT HARVESTS, AND DEVOTES 34% OF THE LAND
IT OWNS TO BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROJECTS.

In South Africa, Sappi owns or has access to more than Stewardship Council (FSC) for exemplary forestry
550 000 hectares of land. Of this, 34% has been left in its management. The trees we do plant, which are an
natural state, and is carefully managed in order to agricultural commodity cultivated for certain
protect and promote indigenous biodiversity. properties, are either pine or eucalyptus.

The remaining land, which is used to cultivate trees for
paper production, is exceptionally productive. This is
partly due to the fact that growth rates in South Africa
are up to ten times greater than in the northern
hemisphere, and partly because Sappi’s tree stock
improvement programmes have resulted in a 15%
higher yield per tree over the past 15 years.
At Sappi, we plant more trees than we harvest every
year to ensure sustainability, and we make maximum
use of the land we have under cultivation. We plant an
average of 1,667 trees per hectare, and use land that is
usually not suitable for any other form of cultivation.
We never harvest trees from old growth or indigenous
forests, but only from our own or partner plantations, all
of which are certified by the international Forestry
Apart from new or virgin fibre derived from trees, Sappi
uses both sugar cane fibre (bagasse) and reclaimed fibre
to manufacture its ranges of fine, commodity and
packaging papers. In fact, Sappi’s Triple Green range,
which is manufactured at Sappi Saiccor Mill in
KwaZulu Natal is one of the most environmentally-
sound ranges in the world. It is made using mainly
bagasse, a by-product of the sugar industry, is elemental
chlorine free, and the wood fibre used in the production
process is obtained from Sappi’s sustainable and
internationally-accredited tree plantations using an
independently-audited chain of custody.
Sustainability
At Sappi, we believe that sustainability isn’t just about
reducing our consumption of non-renewable resources
but, in a more proactive way, we believe it’s about
making sure we contribute to maintaining the natural
integrity of the planet, and its ability to support and
sustain life. In many rural areas, development has
resulted in a dramatic reduction in habitat for many
species, and tree plantations are therefore becoming
more than just agricultural enterprises, they also
provide refuge for animals such as leopard, caracal,
bush pig and antelope. Over 460 bird species have been
recorded in our plantations, and 52 Red Data List
species such as Oribi, the critically-endangered Blue
Swallow and various rare cycads have also been
recorded on Sappi land.
Sappi has further implemented a system of wetland and
riparian delineation to ensure that trees planted for
commercial purposes don’t encroach on these zones.
Made
byNature...
Sappi Forests has even voluntarily removed
approximately 8 000 hectares of trees from sensitive
areas, despite the fact that these trees were planted
legally.
Growing trees and making paper is an ancient art and a
contemporary science, and we at Sappi aim to combine
the best of both.
The bottom line is that Sappi fine paper and paper
packaging is made from a well-managed, renewable
resource, and it is this renewability that makes paper
such an earth-friendly choice. Unlike paper, computers
use approximately 40 mined elements, none of which
are renewable, and the same goes for packaging
materials like plastic and polystyrene, which are made
from crude oil.

“For in the true nature of things,

If we rightly consider, every green tree is far more
glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”
- MARTIN LUTHER -