International Paper Tops List Of Socially Responsible Companies

The inclusion of International Paper on Fortune’s Social Responsibility list undercuts Fortune’s credibility. International Paper is responsible for the worst destruction of forests in the Southern US and internationally. This company’s lock-step commitment to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, an deceptive industry controlled certification scheme, undermines any claims to social responsibility this company may try to convince the public it supports. If International Paper were truly socially responsible, and more particularly, environmentally responsible, they would stop ditching and draining Southern Swampland stop clearcutting life-supporting native and natural forests which are replaced with sterile, toxic pine plantations and start restoring a meaningful number of forests this company has chewed up and spit out for packaging that is used once and thrown away. Many of the other companies on the list have actually moved forward to take responsibility for the impacts of their products and packaging on land and communities. International Paper makes the most minor move toward responsibility, after resisting pressure from conscious consumers as long as possible, then toots its company horn as if it were the most meaningful gesture in the world. As my Granny used to say, “You don’t get a medal for doing what you were supposed to do anyway”. International Paper has been destroying forests and communities for decades and shows no sign of backing off.