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FSC-certified Paper Products
What is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified Paper?
FSC-certified papers contain FSC-certified wood fibre from well-managed forests, postconsumer recycled content, or a combination of FSC-certified wood fibre, recycled content and other controlled forest friendly sources.
FSC-certified forests protect wildlife habitat and endangered species, ensure clean water by respecting rivers and waterways, are not planted with genetically modified (GM) trees, or converted into plantations. To become certified companies must also involve local communities and Aboriginal Peoples in the development of forest management plans, and respect their rights and beliefs. FSC is the only forest certification standard supported by organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund of Canada, Sierra Club of Canada and Greenpeace.
FSC also certifies the recycled content of paper. Because there is no verification process for most recycled papers, you can't know for sure whether the mobius loop (or recycled symbol) on paper means there is actually recycled content in it. The recycled/post-consumer waste content for FSC papers is verified, guaranteeing that is has come from recycled sources.
FSC paper can also contain fibre from forest friendly, or controlled sources. Controlled fibre means that it has been verified and cannot come from:
- Areas of social conflict and illegal logging;
- Genetically modified trees;
- High-conservation value forests; and
- Large scale conversions which replace native tree species with faster growing non-native species.
Do you know where your paper comes from? Are you using more resources than necessary? Do you care? Do your customers care?
Global paper consumption increased by twenty times in the past century, and has more than tripled over the past 30 years. Spurred on by growing consumer demand, the pulp and paper industry is offering more environmentally friendly (or "green") paper options than ever before.
There are various ways in which paper production can be made more environmentally friendly, whether it be through certifed wood fibre, renewable energy consumption or chlorine free bleaching processes. One of the most rapidly growing ways that manufacturers and consumers are decreasing the environmental impact of paper production is through FSC certified fibre. Paper made with FSC certified fibre and bearing the FSC logo is your guarantee that it has come from responsibly managed forests that maintain the highest environmental and social standards.
Although recycled fibres are often considered the only alternative for responsible papers, they can only meet 35% of current paper consumption, and not all paper can be 100% recycled. In fact, not all recycled fibre is good. Where does the recycled fibre come from, and if a paper is only partially recycled, where does the wood fibre come from? With FSC-certified paper you are guaranteed that both the new and recycled fibre come from forest-friendly sources that meet the highest international standards.
Consumers are becoming more aware of their personal paper consumption, and are seeking ways in which they can consume paper in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner. With FSC-certified papers available at retailers across the country, consumers can choose forest friendly papers for their everyday paper needs.
Consumers and stakeholders are also demanding that companies use paper products that come from a sustainable and responsible source. Industry leaders are delivering by printing on FSC-certified papers, and changing their purchasing policies to specify FSC-certified products. To write your own environmentally friendly paper purchasing policy click here.
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