Southwire is now a partner of the Copper Mark, a sustainability initiative and designation for businesses in the copper value chain. The Copper Mark is an assurance framework that promotes the responsible production of copper. “The organization demonstrates the copper industry’s contribution to sustainable development and provides a comprehensive social and environmental assurance program for copper production,” Southwire said when announcing its partnership. “Participants in the Copper Mark are committed to adhering to internationally recognized responsible operating practices.”
The Copper Mark explains its “participants cover key supply chain actors across mining, smelting and refining operations, and our downstream partners include world-leading companies and brands which use copper in their products.” The organization has produced the standards Criteria For Responsible Production and Joint Due Diligence Standard. It combines these standards with site assessments to provide information on responsible practices.
“At Southwire, we engage in sustainability at local, state, national and global levels,” said Burt Fealing, the company’s executive vice president, general counsel, and chief sustainability officer. “As we continue to build relationships with other sustainability leaders, we are pleased to work with the Copper Mark to improve environmental, social and governance outcomes in all facets of the copper supply chain. We look forward to making great strides in these areas as a partner of the Copper Mark.”
Charlie Murrah, Southwire’s executive vice president of metals and chief procurement officer, added, “The Copper Mark provides a unique platform for like-minded organizations in the copper industry to affect positive change for all stakeholders. We encourage our suppliers, scrap processors and other partners to support the Copper Mark as we continue to drive sustainability throughout the copper value chain.”
