Month: June 2023

BOSTON, June 7, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Sappi North America Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, announced today two notable award wins. Sappi won one of the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards in the Environmental Initiatives category for the TUBEL-flushing improvement project at its Cloquet mill. Sappi also took silver in the Telly Awards, Branded Content – Campaign: Recruitment category, for its Somerset mill video.

“We’re proud to receive this prestigious recognition from both the SEAL and Telly Awards,” said Patti Groh, Director of Communications for Sappi North America. “These initiatives speak directly to our core mission: driving sustainability and empowering our employees. We launched the Cloquet water-savings project with our commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing in mind, and the Somerset recruitment video beautifully highlights how our employees play an integral role in bringing impactful initiatives to fruition.”

The TUBEL-flushing improvement project at the company’s Cloquet mill was recognized by SEAL for its ability to reassess existing systems and develop new best practices for responsible consumption and production. The impact of the project was a reduction in water use of over 2 million gallons of water annually and 3.2 million pounds of steam, resulting in energy, water and cost savings. The SEAL Awards celebrate companies and leaders across the globe that make measurable contributions to sustainability and develop innovative initiatives that will positively impact the environment for centuries to come.

The Somerset mill video, created in collaboration with VSA Partners (VSA) and Mayday Productions, highlights the impact potential recruits can make as a Sappi employee, and how current employees play a vital role in driving world-class sustainability initiatives and research and development work with cutting-edge technology that makes a global impact. The video was recognized by Telly for its ability to expel outdated perceptions of the paper industry, and to demonstrate that Sappi is a dynamic and thriving workplace where talented people are welcomed and empowered.

The Telly Awards recognize local, regional and cable television commercials, as well as non-broadcast video and programming. Telly Award winners are some of the most respected and notable advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world.

To learn more about Sappi’s award-winning initiatives, please visit: https://www.sappi.com/.

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About Sappi North America, Inc.

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. Our four diversified businesses – high-quality Graphic Papers, Dissolving Pulp, Packaging, and Specialty Papers deliver premium products and services with consistent quality and reliability. Our high-quality Coated Printing Papers are used for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Dissolving Pulp, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable Packaging and Specialty Papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers. We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of Casting and Release Papers with lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries.

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries. www.sappi.com

Contact

Christy Reiss
Account Manager
Matter Communications
1 585-489-5006
sappi@matternow.com

In recent years, concerns over environmental contamination and its impact on our planet have become increasingly urgent. Corporations play a significant role in mitigating and remediating any environmental contamination that results from their manufacturing processes, supply chains, and waste management practices. 

This high-level primer will offer your organization a clearer understanding of the types of environmental contaminants, their sources, and their associated health risks.

What Is an Environmental Contaminant?

A contaminant is any substance that is introduced through human activities into an environment where it does not belong. While these substances at times come from natural sources, their introduction into the environment can have harmful effects on human health and the ecosystem. 

For example, lead is a naturally occurring element, yet it has a toxic effect on the human body. If an industry working with lead were to release lead-tainted wastewater into the surrounding environment, it could result in a devastating public health crisis.

Types of Environmental Contaminants

The following categories of environmental contaminants have the greatest negative impact on human health and the ecosystem.

Chemical contaminants

These substances include things like pesticides, industrial chemicals, and heavy metals. Chemical contaminants can enter the soil, air, and water. 

Chemical contaminants can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory problems, cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological problems. They can also harm wildlife and aquatic ecosystems by disrupting the chemistry of natural systems.

Biological contaminants

These contaminants are living organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They can be released into the environment through activities such as agriculture or waste management.

Biological contaminants can cause a range of health problems, from mild skin irritations to severe infections.

Physical contaminants

These are materials or particles that are released into the environment by corporations and can include things like plastic waste, debris, and construction materials. 

Physical contaminants can accumulate in the environment and cause harm to both wildlife and humans. The proliferation of plastics into the environment is a prime example of how physical contaminants can broadly disrupt ecosystems, with fish in the North Pacific ingesting up to 24,000 tons of plastic each year.

Radiological contaminants

These are substances that emit ionizing radiation and can include things like uranium, plutonium, and radium. 

Radiological contaminants can be released into the environment by corporations through activities such as nuclear power generation or nuclear waste disposal. Exposure to these contaminants can have serious health effects.

Mixed contaminants

These are a combination of the above types of contaminants. For example, the waste stream from a manufacturing process may contain both chemical and physical contaminants. 

Mixed contaminants can be particularly challenging to manage and can require specialized treatment and disposal methods.

Sources of Environmental Contamination

Environmental contamination is caused by a variety of human activities. Some of the most significant sources are:

Industrial processes: Industries release a wide variety of contaminants into the environment, including chemicals, heavy metals, and particulate matter.Agricultural activities: Agricultural practices such as the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste can contaminate water, soil, and air.Transportation: Cars, trucks, and other vehicles emit contaminants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.Waste disposal: Improper waste disposal can result in the release of hazardous chemicals and other contaminants into the environment.Energy production: Contaminants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and mercury can be byproducts of energy production.Mining activities: Mining can result in the release of toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the environment.

Health Risks Associated with Environmental Contamination

Environmental contaminants can pose significant health risks to humans. The specific health risks depend on the type of contaminant and the level of exposure.

Health risks associated with environmental contaminants include:

Respiratory Problems: Exposure to airborne particulate matter can cause respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.Cancer: Many environmental contaminants, such as asbestos, benzene, and dioxins, are known or suspected carcinogens. Exposure to these substances can increase the risk of developing various types of cancer, including lung, liver, and bladder cancer.Reproductive Problems: Exposure to certain environmental contaminants, such as lead, mercury, and phthalates, can cause reproductive problems such as infertility, miscarriage, and birth defects.Neurological Problems: Some environmental contaminants, such as lead and mercury, can cause neurological problems such as developmental delays, cognitive impairment, and behavioral problems.Cardiovascular Disease: Exposure to ozone and airborne particulate matter can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and stroke.

It is important to minimize exposure to these substances through effective environmental management practices. The work of industrial hygiene is to understand these environmental risks in the workplace, playing a vital role in the health and safety of workers across the globe.

Learn more about how you can improve your organization’s impact on the environment with Inogen Alliance.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

This Global Volunteer Month, FedEx Cares celebrates Kathy Meyer for her commitment to helping women in her community thrive.

Kathy joined FedEx Office in 2006 and has made her mark in eCommerce, business development and product management roles, but she’s really made a name for herself with her charity work.

Kathy was one of 20 women honored for positively impacting their communities and redefining what happiness and success look like for women everywhere in M&M’S® Flipping the Status Quo Program.

You might have seen the M&M’S® Super Bowl commercial to support this national contest that recognizes outstanding women across the country. Kathy is enjoying her moment in the spotlight, but the real winner is She Supply, the Dallas charity she co-founded in 2016.

She Supply is a nonprofit that helps women and teens in Dallas – Fort Worth. Their mission is to provide a sense of dignity and cleanliness to women in need.

“We provide feminine hygiene products to women who can’t afford them,” Kathy says, “basic necessities that most of us take for granted.”

“Thousands of women here in North Texas make tough decisions each month, whether to pay bills, purchase food for the family or buy their own feminine hygiene products.”

As part of Kathy’s award, she received a grant of $10,000 from M&M’S® to fund additional projects at She Supply.

“I firmly believe in the saying, “You can’t be what you don’t see,” Kathy says. “We are still learning about amazing women of history whose stories were stifled or stolen from their rightful place. Celebrating the accomplishments of women encourages peers and, most important, young girls, to reach for their goals.”