SCA receives certification for its line of napkins from the Biodegradable Products Institute

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8, 2011 (Business Wire) - SCA, a global hygiene company and makers of the Tork® brand of away-from-home (AFH) paper products, continues to strengthen its position as an industry leader in sustainable solutions. SCA is the first AFH manufacturer to attain certification on its line of napkins from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), one of the largest independent compost certification groups in North America. This initiative ensures the napkin's product lifecycle from development, production, use and disposal remains environmentally responsible.

"As an industry leader committed to providing hygienic and environmentally responsible solutions, it was extremely important for us to obtain independent verification on the proper degradability of this core product in SCA's portfolio," said Mike Kapalko, SCA sustainability marketing manager. "As more cities across North America develop compostable waste systems, such as those in San Francisco and Vancouver, we're proud to announce to our customers that our napkins are safe to compost in large scale facilities and will turn into organic matter, ultimately helping lessen landfill waste."

The BPI certification verifies that all Universal and Advanced Tork napkins, including custom print, can be safely disposed of and quickly biodegrade in municipal and commercial composting facilities. In order for paper products to be approved by the BPI, they must meet the requirements in ASTM D6868, based on testing in a BPI-approved, independent laboratory and the results must be verified by third-party experts.

Tork's Universal and Advanced napkins also carry the EcoLogo^TM and Green Seal^TM certifications to provide an even higher standard of cost effective, sustainable product solutions.

"The addition of BPI certification should prove to be especially valuable to our partners in the foodservice industry as they continue to move towards more sustainable operations and reducing their footprint," said Kapalko. "Investing in these scientific audits of our products is another example of SCA's market leadership in providing cost effective, sustainable solutions to ensure our customers know our statements aren't greenwashing or marketing hype."

Resources on Composting for Businesses

For businesses interested in composting, there are resources available to help initiate a program as well as provide support for existing programs. Josh Radoff, Tork® Green Hygiene Council^TM member and founder of YRG Sustainability, recommends visiting:

• The Environmental Protection Agency's Web page on composting (www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/composting/) for information on state and regional composting programs, specific materials that can be composted and environmental benefits

• The United States Composting Council (http://compostingcouncil.org/) Web page for information on programs, advocacy, resources and education

"More and more facilities are looking to compost - from restaurants to offices to university campuses to reduce costs and landfill waste," said Radoff. "Being able to compost napkins as part of this effort goes a long way, and the certified ‘compostable' label helps mitigate any confusion about whether napkins can be elements of a comprehensive composting waste program."

For more information on Tork products, Tork's sustainability practices, or the Tork Green Hygiene Council, visit www.torkusa.com or www.tork.ca.