Talking Sustainability with Tork

Tork is working hard to provide the supply chain with ways to reduce climate impact. From saying no to unethical sourcing to reducing waste with end of life solution.

Some interesting stats on why sustainability is good for business:

• 55% increase in employee morale for companies with strong sustainability programs¹
• Up to 19% higher ratings from Investors for top performers in sustainability²
• Approximately 75% of companies globally engage with suppliers to assess environmental performance³

To create a sustainable life away from home, organisations are embracing ways to reduce their impact on climate change, ensure ethical sourcing in procurement, reduce waste and work towards circularity.

Climate Change – Taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Over 65% of Tork tissue products are manufactured in New Zealand using between 63 – 76% renewable energy⁴. Geothermal steam used in production at Kawerau has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 46%.

Tork’s Tropical Peatland free policy ensures lower carbon impact. Lifecycle analysis shows products that use pulp from drained tropical peatlands have 3 to 6 times higher impact.

Ethical Sourcing – Taking action to respects human rights and prevent modern slavery.

Tork’s Responsible Sourcing Program was launched in 2014 and they have been working with Sedex to asses and onboard suppliers. In 2019 they launched their Ethical Sourcing Policy, which includes an exploitation-free commitment.

Tissue products are made up of 90% wood fibre. Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Certification is important as it ensures respect for human rights within forestry including labour rights and reasonable living wages at all levels.

75% of Tork tissue products are locally manufactured in Australia or New Zealand – both are low risk countries for modern slavery.

Waste Reduction – Taking action to reduce waste and improve circularity

Tork systems are design to use and reduce waste – some by up to 40%.

Tork’s latest local manufacturing investment us reducing packaging by 20% or 143 tonnes per year across a large range of products.

Hand towels can be composted in on-site worm bins or though commercial composting facilities. Lifecycle analysis shows that commercial composting can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%⁴.

1. Harvard Business Review. A Comprehensive Business Case for Sustainability.
2. BCG, Moving Beyond Corporate Social Responsibility, 2018
3. State of Green Business Survey 2018
4. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Tork Hand Towels S-P-00851