Paper is paper, right? You go to print something off on your printer and you don’t give it a second thought. After all, all paper is basically the same. Right?
If that means that paper is wood pulp that comes from freshly cut trees, then yes, but have you considered what happens to the environment when all those trees are cut down? How is the landscape and wildlife habitats affected?
The next time you go looking for printing paper, make sure it is FSC® certified.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a not-for-profit organization whose central aim is to protect the world’s forests. They do this by overseeing and seeking improvements in timber production. The FSC works with those in the timber industry who have great impact on inspecting and tracking pulp and timber through what are known as production chains. Forests must be managed in a sustainable way to be certified through the FSC.
Those who work at setting standards in the timber industry do so because there is so much to consider. This is why recycled paper has become so popular in the last few decades. Wherever possible, isn’t it better to make print paper and other print media from a product made from post-consumer waste rather than through the tearing down of more trees?
Recycling paper has saved countless trees and forests. Trees are needed everywhere and more trees mean less pollution. The positive impact of recycling paper is felt on a global scale.
Why use FSC-certified eco-friendly print media?
Why not! Businesses are catching on to the idea that recycled paper is just as good as traditional paper taken from freshly cut trees. It’s very hard to make a distinction, except that FSC-certified paper is clearly labeled as such.
Also, the FSC is concerned with the ethical treatment of people who are involved in the timber industry. Any company that displaces indigenous people while in the production of their timber will not be considered for FSC certification.
To date, the FSC has certified approximately 429 million acres of timber worldwide.
Don’t be a business that talks about environmentally safe practices. The next time you are in the market for print media, buy recycled and FSC-certified paper. You will be doing your part to save trees, reduce pollution, and decrease carbon emissions.
