Sustainability Policies

We aim to be the preferred supplier of environmentally sound products to our customers. We strive to leave the smallest possible footprint in the forest. For products that require virgin fiber, we strive to ensure that this fiber originates from sustainable forests. For other products we will use as much recycled fiber as possible, depending on customer needs, technical requirements, availability and affordability.

On virgin fiber sourced from our forest activities
We take an ecologically and socially responsible approach to forest management on our forestlands and pursue and maintain Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Through our approach to forest protection, use and renewal, we ensure that forest charac­teristics and values will be conserved for future gener­a­tions. We continually implement best practices that are sensitive to local, social and environmental dynamics.

On purchased virgin fiber
We also extend our forest management commitment to our supply chain, because the decisions we make when purchasing wood or pulp from third parties may impact forest sustainability.

We will conduct systematic reviews to verify that our purchased virgin fiber originates from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests. Applicable compliance criteria may also, on a limited scale, include some allowance for land use changes approved by the authorities. No fiber from conversion of High Conservation Value Forests will be accepted.

We will not knowingly purchase wood illegally logged or improperly harvested. If we dis­cover that a supplier has engaged in illegal or improper conduct, we will immediately cease purchasing such wood from the supplier and will require the supplier to implement and verify all appropriate corrective actions before considering any resumption in purchasing from the source.

We do not purchase wood from High Conservation Value Forests unless this wood is legally harvested, in accordance with other relevant conservation regulations and requirements; and the supplier takes specific measures to ensure the protection of High Conservation Value Forests.

We will not purchase fiber originating from genetically engineered trees (trees whose genome has been modified by the introduction of foreign genes for the purpose of altering the metab­olism of the species).

We recognize the importance of independent forest certification for validating sustainable forest management practices. In the forest, we aim to increase our supply of certified fiber by remaining committed to implementing and maintaining Chain-of-Custody certification to recognized third party standards, namely Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^®), Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® (SFI^®), and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™). While Domtar has a preference for FSC where available, we will continue to utilize fiber from multiple certification schemes.

We also encourage our suppliers to develop and maintain working relationships with aborig­inal and other local communities by addressing their interests and concerns and undertaking efforts to ensure benefits flow to the communities.

We publish periodic assessments documenting the implementation of this policy.

August 2015

John Williams
President and CEO
Domtar Corporation

We will strive for leadership in forest management by adhering to sustainable forest principles on all lands owned by or licensed to us and by preferring suppliers with like principles.

We are committed to: 

Managing for sustainability… by making forest sustainability an integral part of our business strategy and using scientific, state-of-the-art forest management practices;

Renewing the forest… by promptly regenerating the forest in accordance with recognized standards and taking corrective action when necessary to prevent forest degradation;

Maintaining the state and productivity of the ecosystem… by using procedures and materials designed to protect soil, water, air, wildlife, and landscape values;

Conserving the biodiversity of the ecosystem… by maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity for a healthy forest environment;

Protecting the forest from insects, disease and fire… by con­ducting our oper­ations to minimize adverse impacts on forests and cooperating with protection associations and government agencies;

Reducing pesticide use… by adopting reasonable alternatives to the use of chemical pesticides;

Training and involving our employees and contractors… by ensuring that they are knowledge­able, skilled and experienced in forest management and are aware of the significant environ­mental impact of their activities;

Listening to our communities… by maintaining an open dialogue with the public and encouraging their input;

Working with aboriginals… by making it a priority to develop and maintain working relationships in forest management and wood-fiber processing where we share common public lands with aboriginal communities;

Sharing our knowledge with others… by communicating with our shareholders, customers, employees and other interested parties to ensure that they understand our commitment to our forest policy;

Seeking FSC certification… by progressing toward certification of all operations where feasible.

In implementing this policy, we will comply with all applicable laws, regulations and com­pany policies. In addition, we will ensure the continual improvement of our performance. We will monitor and adapt our forest management practices and validate them against recognized standards through independent third party certification.

Our employees share in this responsibility and are accountable for the successful implementation of this policy.

July 2009