Updates
Seaman Paper Awarded Innovation in Sustainability Award for Vela™ Bags by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA).
Seaman Paper, a leading global manufacturer of lightweight specialty paper and packaging solutions, has been honored with the “Innovation in Sustainability Award” by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) as part of its 2023 Better Practices, Better Planet Sustainability Awards program.
The award recognizes Seaman Paper’s innovative Vela™ bags, a paper alternative to replace single-use plastic poly bags. Vela™ bags are transparent paper transport bags that are FSC® certified, weather-resistant, durable enough to withstand supply chain demands, and certified recyclable.
Seaman Paper is currently partnering with hundreds of environmentally conscious brands – across 36 countries – in progressing their sustainability goals of reducing single-use plastics through their global supply chains.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the AF&PA, it's a true testament to our deep-rooted history in innovation, our commitment to sustainability, and brings our motto ‘people, paper, packaging, for a sustainable world’ to life.” said Seaman Paper CEO, Ken Winterhalter. “Vela™ bags not only reduce plastic waste from entering landfills and our oceans, but they also support ocean research and conservation projects through our ‘Sea the Difference’ initiative.”
The Innovation in Sustainability Award is part of the AF&PA’s Better Practices, Better Planet program, which is one of the longest standing sustainability initiatives for a U.S. manufacturing industry. The program was established more than a decade ago and encompasses the entire value chain of paper and wood products manufacturing.
The 2023 Sustainability Award winners were selected by a judging panel with representatives from Clemson University, the Department of Energy, GreenBlue, the National Association of Manufacturers, Pure Strategies, and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
“Our sustainability awards are outstanding examples of our goals in action,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “We received our highest number of sustainability awards applications to date. We are so pleased to present these awards and deeply value the innovative work being done across our industry to advance safety, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
For more information about Vela™, visit www.vela.eco.
Visit afandpa.org/priorities/sustainability/sustainability-awards for videos of the award-winning projects.
About Seaman Paper Company
Seaman Paper, headquartered in Gardner, Massachusetts, is a leading global manufacturer of environmentally sustainable specialty paper and packaging solutions. The family-owned company has been making paper in Massachusetts since 1946. Over the last decade, Seaman Paper has grown domestic and global manufacturing operations to meet the needs of their customers worldwide. The company’s paper-based, sustainable solutions help customers protect what is most important to them. To learn more about Seaman Paper, visit www.seamanpaper.com
About The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA)
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recyclable resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative —Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.
