WHAT IS FSC CERTIFICATION &
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Lush green leaves, tall oak trees, and vast wildlife. Forests are among the most beautiful places in the world. It plays a critical role in the local ecosystem’s health and provides an important habitat for wildlife. Forests also occupy a special place in the heart of those who love the outdoors.

Additionally, it also mitigates the effects of climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing soil erosion, promoting clean water, and providing many everyday products. Wood, paper, and other materials like natural rubber and man-made cellulose fibers come from forests. There is no denying how rich and useful our forests are.

That’s why it must be protected and cared for. Illegal logging and deforestation threaten our forests and the creatures living in them. If we continue to take these materials without planting new trees, it can greatly affect the forest. Since forests are a reliable and sustainable source of raw materials, we must manage them correctly.

Certifications exist to promote the responsible management of forests. Different organizations have taken different ways to promote responsible forestry practices. One of the global leaders in responsible forestry is the Forest Stewardship Council or FSC.

WHAT IS THE FSC?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global non-profit organization that certifies forests based on rigorous standards of responsible forest management. It promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests to reduce illegal activities through various certifications, including “FSC 100%,” “FSC Recycled,” and “FSC Mix” (which can be a blend of FSC-certified, recycled, and controlled sources).

This is important considering that the Earth loses 18.7 million acres of forests per year, which is equal to 27 soccer fields every minute. It is the FSC’s goal to teach about the dangers of poor forestry practices and promote sustainably sourced products and suppliers. To achieve its mission, the FSC works closely with landowners and workers to monitor the life cycle of production.

All the materials used in products bearing this label are sourced from forests that have been audited by an independent third party to confirm they are managed according to FSC’s rigorous social and environmental standards. Of all the FSC labels, FSC 100% contributes most directly to FSC’s objective—forests for all, forever—and is therefore the highest mark of distinction for certified products.

Products that bear this label have been verified as being made from 100% recycled content (either post-consumer or pre-consumer reclaimed materials). The use of FSC Recycled products can help to alleviate the pressure of demand on sources of virgin material, thereby helping to protect the world’s forests.

Products that bear this label are made using a mixture of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC controlled wood. While controlled wood is not from FSC certified forests, it mitigates the risk of the material originating from unacceptable sources.

WHAT DOES FSC CERTIFICATION MEAN?

The FSC Certification is an environmental and social certification that ensures our forests are not irreparably damaged in the extraction of raw materials. The FSC certification is based on strict environmental and social responsibilities.

These help in the long-term protection of our forests and reduce the environmental impact on our communities. Since most businesses use wood for everyday products, certification is needed. The certification ensures customers that the wood used to create the products was taken responsibly in a managed forest.

Moreover, the FSC certification covers the social and economic well-being of communities, environmental stewardship, the social and economic well-being of workers, indigenous people’s rights, and legal and regulatory compliances. Moreover FSC certification helps track the chain of custody of products to ensure that raw materials are taken from sustainably managed forests. If you want to know if a product has FSC Certification, you can look for the FSC logo on the packaging.

See What We're Made of:

Our products are FSC certified. You can see the logo in our packaging because we understand that caring for our forests is important. It is a habitat for many animals and a source of raw materials for many humans.

If you are looking for FSC certified products, then follow our shop. Here at Solo NY we offer everyday backpacks and briefcases made from eco-friendly materials.

FIRST, CHECK YOUR PACKAGING FOR THE RECYCLING SYMBOL. IF YOU SEE ONE, MAKE SURE YOUR LOCAL RECYCLING SERVICE ACCEPTS THAT TYPE OF MATERIAL.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT BERECYCLED.ORG

Our hangtags are made out of FSC Certified (mix paper) recycled and biodegradable materials. We try to avoid new materials and unnecessary packaging whenever possible.