Tim Johnston
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) is urging the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to abandon a policy to use 100% recycled paper in its offices. Source: Timberbiz
VAFI CEO Tim Johnston said that under the policy, that had been in place for five years, all Federal Government departments would have been required to use 100% recycled paper from July, 2015.
“This decision will have a direct impact on the Australian forest and wood products industry, particularly pulp and paper, affecting regional jobs and local economies, particularly in the Latrobe Valley,” he said.
“Earlier this year Australian Paper opened a $90 million Waste Paper Recycling Plant at their Maryvale Mill in Victoria.
“The new plant is the only one of its kind in Australia and enhances the sustainability of local paper production, extending product stewardship, avoiding up to 80,000 tonnes of waste to landfill each year.
“The decision to make the significant invest in building this plant considered the Federal Government’s leadership in supporting procurement of locally made 100% recycled paper,” Mr Johnston said.
VAFI supports all Government departments, both at the Federal and State level, purchasing Australian paper.
“Government’s procurement decisions can have a major impact on local manufacturers as well as set precedents for wider consumers. By purchasing recycled paper from Australian Paper, the Government is supporting a local industry and a major regional employer by using locally made and sustainable paper.”
The forest and wood products industry in Victoria is a dynamic sector of the economy that uses wood – a renewable, biodegradable, recyclable product – to create materials for new homes, buildings and furniture, paper and fuel for green energy.
VAFI represents the entire lifecycle of forest and wood products, including forest growers, harvest and haul businesses, wood and paper processors, and associated businesses across both the native forest and plantations sectors.
