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We embrace our responsibility to promote the health of the environment for future generations.
Imagining and Delivering on the Promise of a Sustainable Future
Protecting the environment is not only the right thing to do – it is important to our customers, their customers and our business. We work continuously to better the planet: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and waste while building on our legacy of recycling, responsible sourcing, sustainable forestry and water stewardship. Our approach to sustainability also helps us ensure the long-term availability of the raw materials critical to our operations, including high-quality wood fiber and clean water.
Promise of a Sustainable Future
Our Commitments to Bettering the Planet:
- Implement a multi-faceted, strategic approach to managing and reducing emissions in alignment with our science-based target, validated by the Science Based Target initiative.
- Promote sustainable forestry through both direct management of our forestlands and conservation initiatives with private landowners.
- Lead in water stewardship through strategic partnerships, a global employee education campaign and enhanced water management systems at all mills.
Absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 market-based emissions reduction since 2015
GHG emissions reduction per ton of production since 2015
Use of Energy
Energy is essential to powering WestRock’s operations. We are working to improve the energy efficiency of our operations, optimize costs, and build on our use of renewables to become more sustainable, both environmentally and as a business.Reduction in use of coal since 2015
Energy produced from a renewable source
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Customers want to reduce their use of plastic. We provide alternatives: packaging solutions made from materials that are renewable, recyclable and in some cases compostable. We’re one of the largest recyclers in North America, and we look constantly for ways we, and our customers, can become more efficient, minimize waste and increase reuse of materials.FY21 Energy Mix
Tons of recovered paper converted into new paper products in 2021
Responsible Sourcing
Maintaining a stable, sustainable supply chain is vital to WestRock’s success. We require our suppliers to adhere to high standards of business conduct, labor rights, environmental compliance, quality and service, and to comply with applicable laws, legal requirements and regulations of the countries where they do business. Our corporate Procurement and Sustainability teams ensure our procurement practices align with WestRock’s sustainability goals. And we have a goal to spend $975 million annually with diverse suppliers by 2025.Annual target spend with diverse suppliers by 2025
Global suppliers
Sustainable Forestry and Biodiversity
Our future depends on healthy forests. They provide the key raw material for our business, and they are an indispensable natural resource: providing refuge for biodiversity and wildlife, protecting water, soil and air quality, and providing recreation and beauty.
We work with landowners in North America and elsewhere to help them practice sound forest management, and we manage WestRock’s direct landholdings in Brazil using sustainable practices that are certified to global third-party certification standards.
Wholly owned fiber-based manufacturing facilities are chain-of-custody certified to internationally recognized standards such as SFI®, PEFC™ and FSC®
Landholdings in Brazil
Water Stewardship
Water is a vital resource for our business, communities and environment. We have enhanced water management systems at all mills, and we are implementing a global employee education campaign to create a common understanding of the importance of responsible water use. We continue to look for alternative sources of water, investigate options for increasing water recycling and efficiency, and use a risk-based approach to reducing the amount of water we use in strategic locations.
