Case Studies

Below is an ongoing collection of stories from companies, organizations, governments and individual consumers who have shared their experiences and successes in using FSC certified wood and paper products.

Do you have a story that you would like featured on our website?  Please contact info@fsccanada.org.

• Canadian Print Industry Makes FSC Certification a Benchmark
• One Homeowner's Quest
• National Bank Makes Dollars and Sense of FSC-certified Papers

Canadian Print Industry Makes FSC Certification a Benchmark
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“FSC certification is a business trend that is sweeping the paper and printing industry worldwide” says ‘Canadian Printer’ magazine, June 2006.

Nowhere is this statement truer than in Canada. Whereas just over a year ago there were only a few FSC-certified papers and 18 FSC-certified printers, there are now over 30 papers and 70 printers certified in Canada. A telling sign of change within the industry is a recent listing of top printers in Canada [see box], which identified which printers were FSC-certified, the only environmental or social indicator (and only certification system) to be included.

For the first time printers are reporting that clients require FSC, and state that this transformation rests on an increase in availability of FSC fibre (certified forest area went from 4 M ha to 17 M ha in one year); commitment to FSC by key paper producers; greater competition among suppliers, resulting in lower prices; and targeted efforts to increase corporate awareness and demand for FSC-certified products. This effort is paying off as the list of major North American companies printing on FSC-certified papers expands daily, and FSC is incorporated into ‘green’ purchasing policies.

While the news is encouraging, there is still a long way to go if FSC is to become a business and industry standard. Awareness and understanding of FSC among the Canadian public is almost non-existent, and issues surrounding label use and trademark control threaten the acceptance and use of FSC in the print and paper sector.

As FSC teeters on the brink of widespread success, the possibility of continued existence in the shadow of mainstream business is a stark reality. It is time to take a new look at what it is FSC aims to accomplish – transformation of forest management worldwide, and evaluate whether our policies and structure support efforts to meet this ambitious and highly valuable goal.

One Homeowner's Quest (back to top)

June 2006, Richmond Hill, ON: Richmond Hill homeowner Deborah Chute became involved in green building in 2002 when she and her husband began building their new home.  At that time, they sought out an EnviroHome designation.  EnviroHome building projects must be certified under the R-2000 Technical Standard and incorporate the latest in new home building technologies in the areas of energy performance, indoor air quality and environmentally preferred building materials.  

While building her home, Deborah came across the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in a World Wildlife Fund newsletter as part of their Forests For Life campaign.  “This started me wondering if I might get FSC certified wood for the flooring, cabinetry and stairs in our house.”

Deborah became committed to incorporating FSC certified wood into her new home, and set out to find it.  In 2002 supply was somewhat more limited than it is today. Deborah went the extra mile to find the wood products that met her needs and supported the environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of Canada’s forests.  “I grew up in rural Nova Scotia and was constantly surrounded by forests, lakes and rivers. I liked FSC's approach to sustainability that also includes wildlife habitat protection and special care to rivers, lakes and streams. Having spent many enjoyable summers swimming and boating at my uncle's cabin on the lake, I felt the need to be a part of the process to preserve this kind of habitat.”

Because of her efforts, Deborah’s home features beautiful hardwood floors supplied by Tembec Inc. and decking supplied by Muskoka Timber Mills, both made from FSC certified wood.  Deborah is very pleased with quality and aesthetics of these products.  “We are extremely happy with the upstairs Muskoka Brand Prefinished Hardwood Flooring. It includes the many colours and natural designs in the wood. It has not been treated or selected in any way to have only one colour tone. All the colours of the wood are present in its natural rambling design. We like it that way.”

Deborah’s steps towards a more environmentally responsible and sustainable lifestyle represent the decisions and efforts of a fast growing proportion of the population.  With the number of green developments in Canada steadily increasing, so is the demand for FSC certified wood.  FSC wood is stipulated in the LEED Canada credit system, meaning it will be in more and more homes and buildings across the country.

National Bank Makes Dollars and Sense of FSC-certified Papers
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The National Bank of Canada is making an environmental statement by printing its annual and sustainability reports, statements, and envelopes on FSC certified Domtar Plainfield paper. The impact of this commitment is enormous, as the account statements alone consist of 26 million pages per year. 

Having first learned about FSC certified papers from their paper merchant JBR Maison du Papier, National Bank transformed the task of re-designing their client statements into an opportunity to increase their environmental stewardship efforts.

Working with Domtar throughout 2004 to ensure their paper needs could be met, National Bank made the switch to FSC papers in the fall of 2005.  It was a change that required the bank to work closely with their printers in order to ensure a successful transition. ”To implement this change, we worked with our usual printers, setting a limit of three months for the transition period,” commented Denis Dubé, Senior Manager of Public Relations at National Bank.

Their efforts have been well worth the work; between protecting forests and garnering attention from environmental organizations such as WWF Canada. “We believe that employees and clients appreciate our decision to use FSC paper,” said Dubé.  In addition to responsibly sourcing their paper resources, National Bank is committed to responsibly using them as well.  The bank was able to reduce in-office paper use by 12.5 million sheets in 2005, and significantly reduce the number of paper statements sent out through use of Internet banking.

While five of the six major Canadian banks use, or have committed to use, FSC paper for their annual reports, National Bank is the only institution to have made this commitment for such a wide range of paper products.  And because there are no price premiums, National Bank’s switch to FSC papers makes environmental sense without having to quibble over dollars and cents. 

“This is not a token gesture on their part,” said Antony Marcil, President and C.E.O. of the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada.  “Switching not just their annual reports to certified paper but also their client statements and envelopes shows the world where they stand.  And when you add in the major reduction of in-office paper use, it is clear to me that National Bank of Canada is not only an environmental champion but is also a well-managed company.  It makes me proud to be a long-time account holder.”