A Milestone in FSC Certification
Aylesbury Box Company is proud to be one of the thousands of the UK companies with FSC certification. Why are we celebrating another packaging manufacturer achieving the same high standard in environmental and social sustainability?
What is FSC® Certification?
FSC certification is a widely recognised symbol that informs buyers that products are sourced from responsibly managed forests. With ever growing concerns about sustainability, it enables companies and consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Providing these reassurances is dependent on traceability through the supply chain, from forest to end user. Therefore, to achieve the standard, our systems, procedures and documentation were independently assessed. In addition, we needed to implement a Chain of Custody Management System.
The assessment process isn’t undertaken by the FSC®. Instead, independent certification bodies follow defined procedures to support and assess companies that are keen to evidence environmental and social sustainability. In our case, we worked with Interface NRM.
1000th FSC Certification Issued
Like us, Interface NRM are a small, customer-focused business that we found helpful and responsive. Set up in 2002, the founders shared a desire to increase the sustainability of timber used in the UK. With over two decades of experience, they recently issued their 1000th FSC® certification. The successful company was Preston Board & Packaging Ltd. We extend our congratulations to both businesses!
Wouldn’t it be great if every UK packaging company could hold FSC Certification? This would indicate that good practices were fully embedded in the packaging industry. We’d welcome this and feel certain that buyers would too.
Has FSC Certification Boosted Business?
Green credentials underpin our business and we are on a mission for continuous improvement. With this goal in mind, achieving FSC® certification was a logical step in this process, but has it boosted business?
Customer feedback suggests that some chose us because we are an FSC certified packaging manufacturer. This is typically driven by their need to evidence sustainability to their customers. However, for most customers, this standard wasn’t their top priority; price and service were.
The reality is that a growing number of our customers are concerned about sustainability, however, they are also highly conscious of budgets. As a result, we can’t charge a premium price for our green credentials. So, if there is no significant economic advantage, how can businesses benefit from a sustainable supply chain?
What are the Benefits of a Sustainable Supply Chain?
Firstly, the more you know about your supply chain, the easier it is to manage risks. Knowing where your raw materials are sourced and each step in the process will:
- Provide insight to inform decision-making and build resilience
- Enable changes to be made where current practices don’t align with brand values
- Reduce the risk of damaged brand reputation
It can also empower your team to talk confidently to customers and prospects about your green credentials. In turn, this can boost sales.
Finally, with the introduction of net zero and other green initiative targets, all businesses will need to provide impact data. Detailed knowledge of your supply chain makes it easier to complete these sustainability reports.
For us, it has been a worthwhile step and we are on the way to collating evidence that will hopefully help us to achieve other environmental and social standards. What are your thoughts on evidencing supply chain sustainability?
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.