Paper from Sustainable Forest Management

Paper type and quality have always benefitted from latest technologies, which includes printing technology, inking, machining and pressing technology. However, during the past 10 years, concerns have been raised about increased deforestation and the actual environment impact of paper wastage.

Two resolutions were reached to address the above issues: recycled paper and FSC certified paper. The two eco-friendly papers minimize the drastic impact on our environment.

Recycled paper is paper made from post-consumer waste instead of wood pulp from freshly-cut trees. When going for recycled paper, you have the option to choose the percentage recycled – which is either 100% or any other percentage. 100% recycled paper are usually rougher to the touch and do not achieve pure white.

FSC certified paper is made under guidance of the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC certifications are particularly important to achieve the highest level of environmental ethics possible in the production from timber to paper.
First of all, the FSC releases a certification to confirm if the forest where the raw material is being sourced is being managed in a way that preserves biodiversity and that it is directly benefitting the lives of the local people and workers. This in turn ensures sustainable economic viability.
Secondly, FSC provides a chain of custody guidelines and certification to make sure that processes that deliver the products to the market are strictly adhered to. One particular aspect that is highlighted in the process concerns ‘Controlled Wood.’
www.FSC.org describes Controlled Wood as “material from acceptable sources that can be mixed with FSC-certified material in products that carry the FSC MIX label. Controlled wood is not from FSC-certified forests but rather from areas covered by FSC’s system for avoiding the use of wood from five unacceptable sources:

• Illegally harvested wood;
• Wood harvested in violation of traditional and human rights;
• Wood from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by management activities;
• Wood from forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use; and
• Wood from forests in which genetically modified trees are planted.

Companies which uphold the FCS values always mark accompany their products with the FSC labels:

• FSC 100%: This label is the highest mark of distinction of adherence to FSC guidelines and ethics.
• FSC Recycled: The label is given to 100% recycled content made from either post-consumer or pre-consumer reclaimed products.
• FSC Mix: The label is given to products that are made from a mixture of FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC controlled wood.

As at 2019, FSC holds certification on almost 200 million hectares of forests and land in the world. The number, as it keeps growing, in an indication of our positive driving force against illegal deforestation, destruction of fauna and wildlife and mainly, the displacement of indigenous people.