The Walt Disney Company has announced a significant move to ensure responsible fibre for the paper consumed by Disney itself and its affiliated companies around the globe.
Disney has launched a policy that aims to minimise the consumption of paper, eliminate paper products containing irresponsibly harvested fibre, such as High Conservation Value areas, and maximise recycled content and fibre sourced from FSC-certified forestry operations.
The company further pledges to cooperate with NGOs to identify high risk areas of poor forest management and high rates of deforestation.
Significantly, Disney is sending a clear signal to its business relations by asking all of its “licensees, vendors and suppliers to avoid using paper or fibre from Indonesia that does not meet the FSC Controlled Wood Standard until needed reforms to stop further clearance of natural rainforests are implemented”.
The move was instantly hailed by the NGO Rainforest Action Network. “We commend Disney for adding its significant voice to the growing chorus of companies demonstrating that there’s no need to sacrifice endangered forests or animals for the paper we use every day. This policy will have a particularly important impact in Indonesia, the primary place where rainforests are still being cut down for pulp and paper," said Rebecca Tarbotton, executive director of Rainforest Action Network.
Among its targets, Disney pledges that no non-FSC certified fibre from high risk regions (including Indonesia) will be sourced by the North American Disney Book group, Hyperion and ESPN Magazine. By the end of 2013, Disney will begin requesting recycled and FSC-certified paper and “select these whenever available at reasonable cost and quality”.
"Rainforest Alliance commends Disney for its commitment on paper and packaging sourcing, joining forward thinking companies around the world in an effort to influence sustainable forestry", comments Mark Comolli, Director of Markets in the Forestry Division of the Rainforest Alliance. "This is only the first step for Disney as the implementation of this policy with so many suppliers is a monumental task and can have huge impacts around the world".
Sources: Walt Disney Company, Rainforest Action Network