The list of reasons why forests are important for not only people, but all of the life on earth, is far from short. Here are just a few reasons why protecting our planet’s forested areas is crucial:
- Forests are home to nearly half of the world’s species, including some of the most endangered birds and mammals (source). They provide habitat to 80% of the world’s land-dwelling species (source).
- Deforestation and forest degradation is the second leading cause of carbon pollution, causing 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions (source)
- Trees are one of the most critical natural pathways to fighting climate change. Through photosynthesis, trees pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and turn it into their bark, wood and leaves (source).
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was formed in 1993 to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests (source). The organization recognizes that using paper products is simply a part of life and that boycotting all paper products in order to preserve forests is not possible. Instead, they work to meet our current needs for forest products without compromising the health of the world’s forests for future generations. The FSC Certification is a way that we can learn from the work that they do. This certification allows us to assess a product’s environmental impact, so that we can vote with our dollar and choose products that preserve one of our most valuable resources: forests.
How does a product or forest area get FSC certified?
There are 2 types of FSC certification.
The first is an assessment of the management of a forested area, known as a Forest Management Certification. In order to receive this certification, forest management must adhere to a comprehensive set of principles to ensure sustainable and responsible practices. These principles include compliance with applicable laws and international agreements, the establishment of clear and legal tenure and use rights, recognition and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, the promotion of community well-being and worker’s rights, and more (source). As of January 2024, there are 158,267,415 certified hectares of forest across the globe (source)!
The second type is known as a Chain-of-Custody certification. This certification assesses the practices of any and every company in a product’s supply chain – including harvesters, processors, manufacturers, distributors, printers, retailers. The Chain-of-Custody process ensures the consumer that the FSC-certified products they purchase are coming from responsibly managed sources. For a consumer to purchase an FSC-certified product, every company that previously had ownership of the forest product material components of the end product would have had to be FSC certified (source).
Every entity involved in making a product must be FSC certified in order for the logo to be displayed on a product. Image courtesy of Forest Stewardship Council.
What do the different FSC Labels mean?
There are 3 types of FSC labels that you may see on products.
Images courtesy of Forest Stewardship Council
FSC 100%: Means all wood, paper and/or other wood-based materials within the product come completely from FSC-certified forests.
FSC Recycled: Means all wood, paper and/or other wood-based materials in a product come from recycled or reclaimed (re-used) material.
FSC Mix: Means all wood, paper and/or other wood-based materials within the product come from FSC-certified material, recycled material or controlled wood.
Is FSC 100% more sustainable than recycled paper?
While recycled paper, more specifically paper made from a high percentage of post-consumer waste is always an incredible sustainable option (learn why here), recycled paper is not appropriate in every situation. For example, whenever the look and texture of the paper must be smooth and uniform, FSC 100% certified paper is a great alternative to rougher recycled paper (source). We have excellent options for both PCW recycled and FSC 100% paper in our hang tags, stickers, and books! When the wood pulp used to make this paper is sourced from a well-managed forest, it can be just as eco-friendly as a recycled option.
While the amount of recycled paper in use is on the rise, there is still a significant amount of paper that is composed of virgin tree fibers rather than pre- or post – consumer content (source). Opt for recycled paper when you can, and when you can’t, FSC 100% or FSC mixed are preferable to products lacking the certification. Our entire stock at Greenerprinter is FSC certified, so whether you’re looking for business cards or sustainable packaging, you can rest easy!
Why should I buy FSC certified?
By supporting FSC-certified products, consumers contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, protection of water resources, and the preservation of ecosystems that the plant and animal worlds rely on – humans included! The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) plays a crucial role in promoting responsible forest management and safeguarding the well-being of future generations by helping consumers understand the need of choosing products from responsibly managed forests. As consumers, we play a crucial role in demanding that the products that we purchase adhere to standards that will allow the forests that we depend on to continue to thrive for generations to come.
In Conclusion…
The significance of forests extends far beyond their role as a beautiful place for a hike. These ecosystems harbor nearly half of the world’s species, provide a habitat for 80% of land-dwelling species, and play a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis. Despite their immense value, forests face threats such as deforestation and degradation, contributing to 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Recognizing the pivotal role of forests, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was established to advocate for environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically prosperous forest management. The FSC Certification serves as a valuable tool for consumers, allowing them to make informed choices that align with responsible forest management practices.
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