2Sustain

Avon, the global company known for its beauty and fashion products, also happens to be one of the largest catalogue producers and paper consumers in the world. Fortunately, the company recently strengthened its commitment to sustainability by joining more than 270 companies in the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) in North America.

GFTN is a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiative to eliminate illegal logging and save the world’s most valuable and threatened forests. Members of GFTN make commitments to:

• avoid illegal wood sources,

• phase out purchases of wood from unknown and controversial sources, and

• increase their purchase of wood that originates from independently certified sources from well-managed forests. GFTN relies on the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification system for protecting environmental, social and economic values essential to maintaining priority forest regions.

As part of its renewed commitment to responsible forestry, Avon says it wants to purchase 100 percent of its paper from independently certified or post-consumer, recycled-content sources by 2020, with a preference for FSC- certified paper. Through GFTN, the company will receive technical support to help meet this goal.

“As one of world’s largest catalogue producers and consumers of paper products, Avon can drive sustainable solutions throughout the pulp and paper supply chain,” Suzanne Apple, WWF’s VP for Business & Industry, said. “Avon’s commitment to purchase responsibly sourced paper demonstrates their leadership in responding to the alarming rate of deforestation driven by demand for timber, paper and agricultural products. We are eager to combine Avon’s global presence with WWF’s experience to protect the world’s forests and as a result, our planet, biodiversity and people’s well-being.”