Spicers Paper recreates old landfill sites

Staff and clients of Spicers Paper are being encouraged to get their hands dirty by volunteering to help recreate several ex-landfill sites that have been identified by Landcare as requiring rehabilitation. The initiative is designed to combat public perception of printing and paper as an industry closely aligned with high-impact environmental practices.

According to the company, environmental issues are now a strong focus with consumers and shareholders demanding more sustainable business practices. This is driving demand for recycled and other environmentally friendly papers, beyond the traditional audience of government departments and environmental groups.

Spicers prides itself on leading the way within the printing and paper industries in the promotion of green issues with, for instance, its publication of the Green Guide. But in an industry so closely aligned with forestry, often invoking strong emotional responses, a lot of industry initiatives have been viewed by environmental groups, and the market in general, with some skepticism.

To address this the company, through a partnership with Landcare Australia, has developed a scheme called the Spicers Paper Recreate Program, which is raising funds to help ‘recreate’ ex-landfill sites. It considers Tudor RP as the ideal vehicle, being made from materials that might otherwise end up as landfill, namely offcuts from printing and envelope manufacturing processes and collected milk and juice cartons.

So far sufficient funds have been raised for Wirranendi Park in the Adelaide Parklands and Merri Creek in Northcote, Victoria. Other projects are planned for Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.