ABC Tissue

ABC Tissue

Earthcare products - more information

ABC and the Environment

As a manufacturer of natural products, ABC Tissue Products is acutely aware of the importance of the environment.  Clearly the sustainability of forests and ecosystems that provide us with raw materials are crucial to our future success.

ABC Tissue Products uses resources approved by one of the world's largest forest certification systems for sustainable forest management. Their marks of approval are your guarantee that by buying our products you are helping to protect forests for future generations and promoting the responsible sourcing of timber resources worldwide.  Furthermore, we do that extra bit for the environment by operating our own paper recycling plant in Brisbane.

TOILET TISSUE PACKAGING

Currently there’s a lot of discussion taking place regarding the negative effect of plastic packaging on the environment. On one hand there’s currently 8 million tonnes of plastic floating in our oceans. On the other hand, plastic has proven to be a very efficient packaging material especially in regard to keeping items protected and uncontaminated.  The benefits of plastic are numerous, but there’s no denying the fact that it’s overused.

In response to consumer concerns, the plastic industry has acted to better the material’s environmental impact. Plastic is mostly made from oil, therefore it’s not easy to recycle. However, some plastics can be recycled and made into new plastics whereas the rest can be incinerated to produce energy. The recyclability of plastic is dependent on its composition and the complexity of polymers involved.


ABC Tissue Products (NZ) Ltd is always looking at different ways to care for the environment during manufacturing process and have worked with a film supplier to produce a multi layered film product that is much thinner than normal, reducing plastic resin by more than 27%. This low weight, durable material provides stronger protection not only during transportation but also during numerous handling. Trials with paper packing proved to be very unsuccessful; paper split or ripped when handled and product was damaged or dirtied because of this. 

The plastic material used is under Plastic Identification Class No. 4 (also called LDPE - low density polyethylene); over 50% of recycling plants now have facilities for the recycling of this material.  Although this is not often recycled through curbside programs, we recommend recycling the plastic wrapper via collection bins found in major supermarkets.  If it does, however, find its way to a landfill, it is good to know that it will breakdown much faster than thicker plastic film wrappers.
DID YOU KNOW....

Cores from Earthcare Toilet Tissue, Kitchen Roll Towels, Paper Toilet Tissue Wrappers, Commercial Paper Hand Towels and Commercial Facial Tissue Boxes are designed to biodegrade on compost bins or worm farms.  Earthcare Toilet Tissue, Commercial Hand Towels and Facial Tissue will quickly turn to 'mush' if placed in a toilet which makes these products ideal for Pre-Schools, Schools, Septic Tanks, Campervans and Boats.

FSC certification

Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC) works to improve forest management worldwide, and through certification creates an incentive for forest owners and managers to follow best social and environmental practices. The growing demand for FSC certified products tells forest owners that businesses and consumers prefer products from well managed forests. 

By working to promote environmentally and socially beneficial forest management, FSC helps both local communities and society at large to enjoy long-term benefits of managing forests in a responsible way. As the world’s most respected forest certification scheme, FSC is a global system with certificates issued in all forest types around the world.

The FSC trademark means that:

  • All laws are followed
  • Human Rights are respected, especially those of indigenous peoples
  • International workers’ rights are respected
  • Biodiversity and endangered species are protected
  • Forestlands are not converted for other uses
  • Hazardous chemicals are prohibited

Policy Statement

ABC Tissue Products is committed to purchasing forest products from legal, non-controversial sources that support the environment and adhere to ILO Conventions.

Preference is given to suppliers who are recognised by third party certifiers as meeting recognised and creditable Sustainable Forest Management Standards.

A due diligence assessment of all suppliers of forest products will be carried out on an annual basis.

ABC Tissue Products will not be directly or indirectly involved in the following activities:

a. Illegal logging or the trade in illegal wood or forest products;

b. Violation of traditional and human rights in forestry operations

c. Destruction of high conservation values in forestry operations

d. Significant conversion of forests to plantations or non-forest use;

e. Introduction of genetically modified organisms in forestry operations

f. Violation of any of the ILO Core Conventions, as defined in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998.

 ABC Tissue Products will not be involved with organisations that are not equally committed to Occupational Health and Safety standards.

Policy Aims

The aim of this policy is to provide guidelines for the ethical purchasing of paper, pulp and recycled material used in the production of our finished product that supports social, environmental and economical sustainability on a long term basis.

Review

ABC Tissue Products will review this policy annually or when legislation changes to ensure that it remains current. This will be done in consultation with employees.