Environmental Policy
SCR Envelopes recognise the importance of Environmental considerations and will take these into account at all stages of business planning, development, production and marketing whilst continuing to produce high quality products to our customers specification and satisfaction.
In particular, the following objectives will be pursued as far as it is reasonably practicable.
- Conservation of energy
- Conservation of natural resources used in our manufacturing, packaging and despatch operations.
- Minimisation of waste in production and packaging.
- Reduction of solvents into the workplace and atmosphere.
- Provision of safe, clean and hygienic working conditions.
- Reduction of noise levels to lowest levels practicable for employees and members of the public.
- Safe storage of waste to meet 'Duty of care' requirements.
- The responsible development, operation and maintenance of plant and equipment to reflect the principles above.
Assessment Of Environmental Standards Of Paper Suppliers
Source of Wood Cellulose
A large proportion of paper we use is manufactured by Enso Fine papers at the Veitsiluoto paper mill in Finland and is supplied by the M6 Paper group Limited. Our secondary source is Modo paper of Sweden supplied by the Panther Paper Company.
The majority of wood cellulose used comes from company owned and private forests in Scandinavia. 20% of the wood is imported from Russia and the Baltic States. Both mills have a policy not to fell timber from virgin forests and do not purchase wood that is known to have originated from virgin forests. They do admit however, that although they make every effort to ascertain the origins and harvesting methods of imported timber, it is impossible to check each delivery 100%.
Our suppliers apply and are continually developing a program of environmental protection in the management of their company forests. This involves a project to identify ecologically sensitive areas in their forests so that they can be considered when planning forestry practice. In addition, mills are allowing an increase in the amount of natural regeneration of seedlings, which minimises the disturbance involved in planting and results in healthier trees. During felling, the identification of sensitive areas allows them to be protected and the proportion of other trees left untouched to preserve the landscape value. In a recent study of of 86 sites where felling was taking place, 6% of the land was left untouched.
The National Board of Forestry monitors all forestry in Finland and Sweden for compliance with legislation, promoting sustainable wood production and the maintenance of biological diversity. Enso also try to promote sensitive forestry methods in Russia and the Baltic States, within the framework of each country's forestry legislation.
Paper environmental standards
Enso Oyj Veitsiluoto mills have achieved certification to the following environmental standards: -
- EC Eco ? management and Audit scheme (EMAS)
- Det Norske Veritas quality system (DNV)
Modo Paper have been awarded the Nordic White Swan Accreditation.
Bleaching
The pulp bleaching process used in the manufacture of the papers that we purchase is Elemental Chlorine Free and uses Oxygen, Ozone and Hydrogen Peroxide. Chlorine Dioxide is also used within a closed system.
Optical Brighteners
Minimal optical brighteners are used in the manufacturing process and are not known to have harmful environmental effects.
Emissions
Emissions to water from paper manufacturers are classified as:
- BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demanding substances
- COD Chemical Oxygen demanding substances
- TSS Suspended substances
Modo Paper has submitted the following figures:-
- BOD 3.0 Kg / Tonne of finished product
- COD 40.0 Kg /Tonne of finished product
- TSS 7.0 Kg / Tonne of finished product
In addition, figures for air emissions are as follows:-
- Sulphur 0.8 Kg / Tonne of finished product
- Nitrogen Oxides 1.7 Kg / Tonne of finished product
41 Kg of dry waste per tonne of finished product is also produced, of which the majority is used for agricultural fertiliser.
Energy consumption
The paper mills which manufacture the paper that we buy consume energy in the form of electricity and also in the form of heat generated from burning fuels. Electricity to the mill is taken from three sources:
- The external grid: 58%
- Company owned hydro electric power stations: 25%
- Turbines driven by steam generated within the plant: 17%
The fuels used to generate heat comprise of:
- Pulp products, bark etc: 75%
- Oil or natural gas: 25%
Both companies constantly strive to reduce the electricity and fuel taken from outside sources and to minimise the overall consumption of energy. Modo alone have spent in excess of £130 million on environmental projects since 1985 and have committed £7 million to projects in hand. The Scandinavian paper industry is committed to care for the environment and both mills employ teams of people to review current and proposed legislation, update techniques for the improvement of effluent control and are involved in the recommendation of hardware for tighter control.
Edward Welch,
Sales Director,
June 2006
