Lisa McTigue Pierce / Packaging Digest

Hasbro's new paper packaging policy supports sustainable forest management

Hasbro Inc. has unveiled a new Paper and Forest Procurement Policy (PFPP) intended to ensure that procurement decisions align with the company's commitment to environmental sustainability and support sustainable forest management.

The PFPP reiterates the company goal of industry-leading 90 percent usage of paper packaging and in-box game content derived from recycled material or sources that practice sustainable forest management by 2015. The policy also sets stringent vendor requirements for credible third party certification (such as the Forest Stewardship Council) of fiber. In addition, as one facet of the PFPP's standards related to avoiding fiber from controversial sources, the company is requiring that no sources of Mixed Tropical Hardwood (MTH) virgin fiber be used in products, including packaging. Earlier this year, Hasbro directed suppliers to stop using paper coming from unsustainably managed forests.

"Hasbro's new policy, together with the processes we have put in place to ensure successful implementation and monitoring, will help ensure that the paper and wood fiber sourced for our products are sustainable," says Kathrin Belliveau, Hasbro's vp, corporate responsibility and government affairs. "We view leadership in the area of corporate social responsibility as both a strategic goal and the right thing to do, and our new PFPP is yet one more very tangible example of how we are committed to continuous improvement in a range of important CSR areas."

Prior to announcing the specifics of the policy, Hasbro conducted rigorous reviews of its supply chain and met with various stakeholders, both within the supply chain and in the environmental community, to evaluate the best possible policy.

The company has also taken the additional step of achieving FSC certification for its U.S. manufacturing facility and is pursuing similar certification for its manufacturing facility in Ireland.

"We applaud Hasbro's efforts to support responsible management of the forests and communities that produce the resources for its packaging," says Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, svp of Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a global leader in independent certification and verification of environmental, sustainability, stewardship, food quality, food safety and food purity claims.

The new PFPP and manufacturing facility certification build upon the company's November, 2010 announcement of new environmental sustainability goals, which included the 2011 elimination of wire ties in packaging; and the aforementioned goal of 90 percent usage of paper packaging and in-box game content derived from recycled material or sources that practice sustainable forest management. For 2011, the goal is 75 percent.