As the world's most populous country, China's significant economic expansion has made it a leading producer of goods, including timber and wood products. However, policy restrictions due to environmental pressures have led China to import lumber from endangered tropical forests, many of which are exported to Europe and North America.
The development of an FSC-accredited National Initiative (NI) in China presents opportunities for improved forest management, given China's significant role in global wood markets. This initiative could also increase the availability of ethically produced wood goods in North American and European markets.
China's forests, which house endangered species and cover only 18% of the country's land due to deforestation, play a crucial role in regulating water flow. However, commercial logging bans in seventeen provinces, implemented after devastating floods, have impacted local families dependent on the timber industry.
Much of the timber China imports are harvested unsustainably or illegally, highlighting the need for improved practices in at-risk forests. Despite logging restrictions, over half of China's wood fiber needs are met by local harvesting, including subsistence collecting by local communities.
China is exploring ways to balance logging in state forests with environmental protection. The development of FSC certification and national FSC forest stewardship standards are key steps in this direction as the government reevaluates its forest strategy.
China's industrial lumber, pulp, and paper market is second only to the United States. From 1997 to 2003, China's timber product imports tripled in quantity and doubled in value. The Chinese manufacturing sector utilizes about half of the world's tropical tree harvest, increasing demand for China's affordable exports of finished wood products domestically and internationally.
The FSC is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting ethical forest management. Its certification ensures that wood and paper materials originate from ethical sources. The FSC also certifies businesses that use building materials or create products and packaging from responsibly managed forests.
According to the Forest Stewardship Council, as of 2020, more than 220 million hectares of forest are certified under FSC's system worldwide.
FSC labels on paper products indicate the source of the product's materials:
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the world's leading forest management certification and labeling scheme, develops Forest Management and Chain of Custody standards. It engages a global network to promote ethical and sustainable sourcing. FSC has chapters in over 85 countries, with over 800 members from 89 countries.
Over 35,000 businesses across 122 countries have received FSC Chain of Custody certifications, covering 200 million hectares of certified forest land. The first FSC Chain of Custody certificate was awarded to a Chinese company in 1999. Today, over 6,000 firms in China and Hong Kong are part of the FSC Chain of Custody. Furthermore, China's forests cover an officially recognized area of one million hectares certified under FSC standards.
China's State Forest Administration, the Chinese Academy of Forestry, and WWF China launched an FSC-accredited National Initiative to develop China's national standards for international recognition. This initiative aims to increase public involvement, boost forest certification growth in China, and build synergies between regional and international forest certification systems.
Recycled paper and wood products extend the useful life of tree fibers, reduce waste, and conserve forests. Despite the ongoing demand for timber products, FSC certification ensures sustainable development for forests and their dependent communities. FSC-certified virgin and recycled paper and timber products contribute to forest conservation.
FSC-certified paper, often made from virgin tree fibers, can be environmentally friendly if the wood pulp comes from a sustainably managed forest. The FSC estimates that Americans use 100 million tons of paper annually, with only 35 million tons recycled. The remaining amount is sourced from forests, making it crucial for paper companies to source wood responsibly.
According to a survey by the Natural Marketing Institute, 50% of consumers are more likely to choose a product if it comes from a sustainable source.
Using FSC-certified packaging offers several advantages. Here are five key reasons why your company should opt for FSC-certified cardboard boxes and packaging:
In today's market, customers demand environmentally friendly goods and packaging. Using FSC cardboard boxes is a crucial way to meet this demand, as most consumers want to know the origins of their products and the methods used to make them environmentally friendly.
A 2018 study by the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies found that FSC-certified forests in East Africa are approximately 25% less likely to be deforested than non-certified forests.
Interwell, now FSC-certified, can purchase and print on FSC-approved paper stocks. We include the FSC logo on finished products made from certified stock to demonstrate our commitment to responsible manufacturing.
Interested in our FSC-certified products? Contact us today for more information.
