Making paper is a process. But making paper right? That’s a choice.
The paper industry often gets a bad rap. Many people think papermaking harms the environment. In reality, when it's sourced and manufactured sustainably, paper can actually benefit the environment.
We strive to keep forestland forested.
So, how do we do that?
We begin in a working forest.
Forests cover over 30% of the earth’s surface—almost 10 billion acres.
Almost two-thirds are working forests, which are actively managed to provide multiple benefits, such as wood fiber, recreation, wildlife, aesthetics, clean water, and environmental restoration. Less than 1% of the wood from these forests is harvested each year.
The demand for wood for paper products has not only protected working forests but also contributed to an increase in forest cover in the developed world. There are more trees and forests today in the U.S. than there were 60 years ago.
Owners of working forests plant even more trees than they harvest. In fact, over 1.7 million trees are planted in working forests every single day!
90% of forestland in the U.S. is owned not by corporations, but by private forestland owners, which are typically individual families.
For generations, these 'tree farmers' have managed the land to ensure the long-term health of the forest. By sustainably managing their forests, they can earn money from their land while making sure that their forests can be passed down to the next generation.
The Hammermill brand works to ensure that the forests we source from practice responsible forest management, using techniques that are friendly to the environment and forest ecosystem.
Now that you know how making paper the right way starts, let’s look at the papermaking process in all of its glorious detail.
Choosing sustainably sourced Hammermill® paper is an easy way for businesses—both large and small—to demonstrate a commitment to CSR.
Your customers and consumers care about their communities and the environment. To support our local communities, Hammermill paper is produced here in the United States, and made with renewable resources from sustainably managed forests and/or recycled pulp.
Plus, unlike imported papers, the Hammermill brand helps to employ thousands of American workers in forests and mill towns across the country. In fact, each of our mill jobs supports 3.25 more jobs in supplier industries and local communities.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of Hammermill’s papermaking process.
By sourcing sustainable fiber, we create more forests and healthier ecosystems, ensuring a better future for future generations. But it’s about more than planting trees.
Through reduction projects and process improvements, we continue to reduce our energy use and emissions. We also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by fuel switching—replacing fossil fuels with renewable biomass.
Sylvamo, our parent company, fosters healthy, sustainable watersheds by continuously reducing water use per ton of paper produced and by continuously improving the quality of the water we return to the environment.
Throughout every step of our value chain, we contribute to and promote a circular economy that is restorative and regenerative by design. The way we make paper supports good jobs, helps our communities thrive, and provides essential products worldwide.
Your demand for paper, packaging, and other forest products provides an economic incentive for working forest owners to grow, harvest, and regenerate these forests for continuous, sustainable use—assuring that trees will continue to be regrown and that our precious forests will be preserved for the future.
Now you know how paper—the medium for how ideas are exchanged, innovations are made and creativity is explored—is made.
What will you do with it?