FSC Paper: What Is It & How Can It Benefit My Business?

You may have seen the abbreviation FSC® or the term ‘FSC certified’ attached to products or parts of products, especially paper. The term FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council®, a non-profit dedicated to sustainable forestry. With respect to paper in particular, symbols for FSC paper or FSC-certified paper on a product signal that the paper used in it has been responsibly sourced and supports sustainable forests. But what does that mean, exactly? 

Below we unpack answers to questions like what the Forest Stewardship Council® is all about, what FSC-certified paper is, and why FSC certification is so important to companies and consumers who care about our global environment, global economy and local communities. 

What Is FSC?

The Forest Stewardship Council® is a non-profit leader in sustainable forestry. Partnering with other non-profits, businesses and consumers worldwide, FSC protects and promotes healthy, resilient forests for everyone. Dedicated to sustainable forest management, FSC operates the world’s most rigorous and trusted forest certification system. Their mission benefits people, nature and the climate on a global scale (currently, they are involved in over 100 countries). The goal of the FSC, as listed on their website, is one we can all get behind: “Nurturing responsible forestry so forests and people can thrive.” 

FSC Supports:

• Responsible Sourcing: They help businesses work with forests in a responsible way.
• Conservation: They help maintain and enhance the value and health of forests.
• Restoration: They help accelerate the recovery of damaged forests. This encourages biodiversity (which maintains balance and supports life) and helps reverse the current climate crisis.

FSC Works to Prevent:

• Illegal Logging: This is a global problem with significant and negative impacts on the environment, economy and our society.
• Exploitation of Workers and Communities: Human life depends on the health of forests. Responsible forestry does more than protect the health and resilience of forests — it also protects the well-being of the people who live and work in them. These people include community and family forest managers, Indigenous Peoples living on their ancestral lands and workers whose livelihoods depend on forest products.

What Does the FSC-Certified Label Mean?

The label is considered the most trusted mark for responsible forestry. It shows that a product is FSC certified. When you see the FSC mark you know the product, packaging or material has been sustainably and ethically sourced throughout the supply chain — that is, from forest to consumer. The FSC label indicates: 

• Protected Forest: Zero deforestation (meaning, no clearing of a wide area of trees).
• Fair Wages: Fair wage and work environment.
• Biodiversity Preservation: Plant and animal species are protected, along with their habitats.
• Community Rights: Local communities living in and around forest areas are consulted, and their legal and cultural rights to land and forest resources are respected. This includes Indigenous populations worldwide.

What Is FSC-Certified Paper?

Paper that is FSC certified contains one of the three FSC labels described below, including ‘FSC 100%’, ‘FSC Recycled’ and ‘FSC Mix’. These labels are found on millions of products worldwide. It verifies sustainable sourcing from the forest to shop shelves or another channel, like an online shop, that gets the product into the hands of the end user. 

Why Is FSC-Certified Paper a Good Choice?

You know how every time you toss away a coffee cup or a paper plate you feel a little guilty? One way to make disposable products better is FSC paper, which is produced in a responsible and sustainable way that protects forests, animals, the environment and surrounding communities. Tree by tree, we change the world. When you see the FSC-certified label on a product you buy for yourself or customise for customers and employees, you can give and use it with confidence. 

But it’s not just sustainably sourced, FSC paper is also recyclable! This cuts down on paper waste and reduces the amount of trees that need to be harvested for new products. 

Do My Customers Care About FSC-Certified Paper?

Yes, they do! Your customers care about forests, fair trade and fair labour practices as much as you do. Here are highlights from some recent research¹ that underscores the point: Consumers put forests first! 

• According to a global survey of consumers, sustainability is a major consideration while shopping.
• 86% of global consumers prefer to choose products that do not harm plants and animals.
• 76% say a product’s sustainability credentials should be independently certified.

• 77% of those consumers who recognise the FSC label prefer to choose an FSC-certified product instead of an equivalent non-certified product.
• 59% of consumers surveyed in the US and UK are willing to pay more for eco-friendly packaging.

Is FSC Certification Just for Paper?

No, certification is for more than just paper. While paper is the primary product that comes out of forests, it is just one of many products the FSC can certify. Other materials and products that pursue FSC certification include wood, pulp, textiles, rubber and bamboo, as well as non-timber forest products like maple syrup and medicinal ingredients. Even buildings can seek FSC certification! 

Are all FSC Labels the Same?

There are three types of FSC-certified labels. Each has the same image and the supporting text tells us in what way the product is advancing the FSC mission. They are all brilliant and all deserve our support! 

• Label with ‘FSC 100%’: All materials used come from responsibly managed, FSC-certified forests. Products with the ‘FSC 100%’ label contribute most directly to our mission to ensure thriving forests for all, forever.
• Label with ‘FSC Recycled’: The product is made from 100% recycled materials. Using recycled material makes the most of precious forest resources and reduces the pressure to harvest more trees.
• Label with ‘FSC Mix’: The product is made with a mixture of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials and/or FSC-controlled wood. While controlled wood doesn’t come from FSC-certified forests, it mitigates the risk of the material originating from unacceptable sources.²

Why Do Forests Matter So Much?

You might wonder why sustainable forestry is so important. How does choosing sustainably sourced products today — like FSC-certified paper — help forests in the future? Did you know:  

• The Planet: Over half the world’s species call forests their home, making them one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on our planet. Forests clean the air we breathe and filter the water we drink. They help regulate our climate by absorbing and retaining carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Employment: Globally, 1.6 billion people rely on forests for their livelihoods.³
• Paper and More: Forests give us the resources to build homes and shops, as well as products like paper, boxes and packaging of all kinds.

How Does Illegal Logging Damage Forests and Communities?

Illegal logging is harvesting timber in violation of the laws and regulations of the country of harvest. It’s a global problem with significant negative economic, environmental and social impact. It contributes to deforestation worldwide, increases global carbon pollution, harms indigenous communities and funds underground crime.  

We asked Pedro Moniz, Pens.com’s Global Sustainability Manager and resident expert on planet-friendly business practices, for his perspective on illegal logging. “Deforestation and illegal logging are a big concern for Pens.com, so ensuring our entire supply chain is free from illegal logging is a must”, said Moniz. “FSC certification helps to ensure exporters of wood-based materials throughout the supply chain are maintaining good practices.” 

How Do Companies with FSC Certification Benefit?

Getting FSC certification is a big step forward in a company’s visible, actionable flow-through commitment to good business practices with the whole world in mind. Here are a few ways companies benefit: 

• Reduce wasteful practices for greater profit: Wasted materials create lost profits. When companies conserve resources, they save money.
• Protect production costs with healthy competition: When small businesses and their employees are protected from exploitation, they provide competition against larger corporations. This keeps pricing competitive for paper production.
• Improve marketability: We know customers love businesses that help the planet. Maintaining FSC certification makes your business more marketable to those customers.
• Grow business connections: Being responsible in your business practices is a great way to impress other businesses. This will make it easier to work with corporations, non-profits and more.

Globally, consumers give preference to FSC-certified products (paper, wood and other materials). It’s the highest certification standard for sustainable forestry — the most commercially viable and credible certification system. 

“We want forest-based businesses and economies to grow and thrive”, said Moniz. “When everyone works in concert, the green economy wins, and the FSC certification programme paves the way for that to happen.” 

How Is Pens.com Participating in the FSC Initiative?

As a global company, Pens.com is committed to sustainability, and using FSC-certified paper in products is part of our plan. “We’re not certified yet”, said Moniz. “Our goal is to have 100% FSC paper in our products by FY [Fiscal Year] 2025.” A few highlights of our plan: 

Improving Production at Pens.com:

• 100% of wood fibre products (includes paper and other materials) produced in facilities owned by Pens.com will come from FSC-certified sources.
• 95% of wood fibre products (includes paper and other materials) produced on our behalf (by third party fulfillers) come from FSC-certified sources. For instance, today on our site you can buy products that include FSC-certified paper, like this Luciano Eco wire notebook with pencil.

Improving Packaging at Pens.com:

• 95% of our packaging will come from FSC-certified sources or meet minimum post-consumer waste (PCW) requirements.

Once Pens.com gets certified, the certification is valid for five years. We’ll have annual audits by third parties to verify we fulfil all the necessary requirements to sell FSC-certified products. Moniz added, “With FSC certification we can secure a long-term supply of forest products while ensuring sustainability, legality and community”. 

How Does Choosing FSC-Certified Paper and Products Help My Brand?

When you add your logo to a product like a diary or a notebook that includes the FSC mark, you’re attaching your brand values to healthy and sustainable forests, responsible land use, animal protection, fair hiring practices and support for local communities. You’re also standing against deforestation and illegal logging. These are more than just causes; they’re core values that position our planet for survival. Paper and other products that are FSC certified allow us all to hold our heads a little bit higher as we go about our business.  

How Else Can I Help?

Hug a tree. Really! Have your next team outing or client tour at a nature reserve or national park. It’s hard to know what you’re trying to protect if you haven’t seen it for yourself. So, explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the world’s forests and everything they have to offer. 

Sources: 

1. https://1ec4c04de36c11011b7b-b0e482557560956b9f71038ee7452dfa.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/Sustainable-Packaging-Unwrapped.pdf

2. https://uk.fsc.org/

3. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/deforestation-biodiversity-protect-international-day/