Seek Out FSC® Certified Companies & Products

Seek Out FSC® Certified Companies & Products

FSC® Forest Week launches on Saturday 23 September, with the theme of Trust the Tree. We know that trees are essential for life, yet timber is a valuable resource. Let’s explore why choosing FSC® certified companies and products is the way to protect trees for both environmental and commercial use.

Trees & Timber

Trees have long provided timber for buildings, fuel, furniture, tools, paper and our speciality, cardboard boxes. However, we now understand the importance of trees in providing a rich ecosystem for millions of other flora and fauna. In addition, they play an essential role in carbon capture and reducing both soil erosion and air temperature.

So, should we leave all the world’s trees standing or is there a way to continue using timber whilst protecting the environment?

From Tree to Cardboard Box

Every cardboard box originated from a tree. Once felled, the bark was stripped from the tree and it was chipped and cleaned before being pulped. Following this, the fibres are pressed and rolled before being glued in the flute and lining format.

A ruffled flute, sandwiched between two flat liners, produces an incredibly lightweight yet robust material. The air trapped in the layers provides insulation and cushioning, which is ideal for shipping boxes.

According to research* the average tree provides sufficient pulp to manufacture 156.1 standard-sized cardboard boxes. However, the average UK household receives 200 deliveries in cardboard boxes every year. That pizza delivery when you’ve not got time to cook, the latest online shop and monthly subscription box soon mount up! Does that mean we’re all contributing to deforestation?

Sustainably Sourced Cardboard Packaging

There are two primary reasons why cardboard packaging isn’t causing environmental destruction.

Firstly, the majority of raw material is sourced from responsibly managed forests. In these woodlands, commercial and environmental needs are balanced. For a start, saplings are planted to replace felled trees and important ecosystems are protected. As a result, Europe’s forests have been expanding for decades.

Secondly, cardboard is widely recycled, with over 70% of used boxes broken down into fibres for reuse many times over. Whilst it is possible to produce boxes from 100% recycled material, 25% raw and 75% recycled fibres are typically combined to make new packaging.

Remember, boxes can also be reused and we are encouraging customers to consider ways to encourage reuse at the design stage.

Processes and Measures to Minimise Impact

The FSC® provides a way to distinguish the origin of timber from sustainably managed forests from that which may have been sourced through illegal felling and destructive deforestation. They achieve this through a rigorous assessment process, which takes into account processes and measures to minimise impact.

Individual products and companies can be assessed and if sufficient evidence of sustainable practices, throughout the supply chain, is identified, they become FSC® certified. Ongoing assessment ensures that standards are maintained or further improved.

FSC® certified companies and products are issued with an icon to be used on packaging and marketing. By choosing goods and companies with the FSC® logo, consumers can make informed decisions and support responsible forestry management.

Our Business Depends on Trees

As a cardboard packaging manufacturer, our business depends on trees. It’s one reason we’re invested in protecting forests for the future. Sustainable supplies and practices have always been a top priority and in 2021, we became an FSC® certified packaging company. In addition, we are corporate members of the Woodland Trust.

For a growing number of customers, being able to evidence supply chain sustainability is an important factor when selecting a packaging supplier. It’s also welcomed by their customers.

FSC® Forest Week

We invite you to take action in FSC® Forest Week 2023 by taking a greater interest in the paper-based products and packaging you purchase. Can you find the FSC® logo? If not, contact the company and ask about their green credentials or find an alternative that is certified.

For further information on sustainable packaging, contact our team on 01296 436888 or enquiries@abcbox.co.uk

* https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/1-tree-1516-cardboard-boxes-make-your-office-move-sustainable-salh

** https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cardboard-recycling-uk-amazon-b2171252.html