Focusing on Continuous Environmental Improvement

“Environmental Responsibility” is one of Glatfelter’s six Core Values. The practical meaning of this Core Value is detailed in our Environmental Policies and Certifications, where complying with environmental laws and regulations is one of five commitments.

When it comes to compliance with environmental laws, regulations and permits, the only acceptable result is 100% or perfect compliance. And we wish we could report to you that we are in compliance 100% of the time, but we are not. Despite our best attempts, we occasionally make mistakes or equipment fails to operate properly. The attached table reports by business unit the fines that Glatfelter has paid between 2008 and 2010 for violations of environmental permits or regulations.

Our Environmental Management System is the primary business process we have in place to help us comply. Every Glatfelter facility has an Environmental Management System that directs facility personnel on all aspects of managing the significant environmental aspects of that plant. Glatfelter’s Spring Grove, PA, Gernsbach and Falkenhagen, Germany, Scaer, France and Lanao del Norte, Philippines facilities have Environmental Management Systems that have been third-party certified to the ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems. Glatfelter’s remaining facilities are in the process of upgrading their systems to the ISO 14001 standard.

“Practicing Sustainable Forestry” is another commitment in our Environmental Policy. Utilizing forestry management systems that conform to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standard demonstrates our commitment to sustainable forestry. These third-party certified management systems are in place at our Spring Grove, PA and Chillicothe, OH facilities.

Additionally, these same facilities have obtained triple-certified chain-of-custody management systems that conform to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and PEFC.

• ISO 14001 certification
• Chain of custody certification
  • FSC
  • SFI
  • PEFC

Compliance with environmental laws and regulations is a key commitment in our Environmental Policy. Zero violations and perfect compliance is our goal. However, despite our best efforts, we occasionally violate an environmental regulation or a condition in one of our environmental permits. We take every environmental violation seriously and promptly notify the appropriate authorities. In addition, each violation is thoroughly investigated to determine its immediate cause and its fundamental root cause. Corrective action is taken to prevent the violation from occurring again. These actions are all done in accordance with procedures in our Environmental Management System.