Paper as a Sustainable Resource

Paper nowadays is one of the very few, truly sustainable products available in the world, as trees can be replanted time and time again. Commonly harvested from young trees, paper is a natural resource.

Today the majority of paper comes from responsible and sustainable sources. But, unfortunately, throughout history, we have seen the paper and pulp industry has had a huge impact on global forests. This process has used around 40% of all the industrial wood traded globally.

Although historically paper has had a large influence on the rate of deforestation globally. Nowadays, better attitudes and more responsible forest management practices have improved the paper industry's sustainability. In fact, the paper trade has seen European forests grow by 30% since 1950.

At the Earth Summit in 1992, the Forest Principles were set out. These aimed at preserving rainforests as they were disappearing at a fast rate. Although this was a statement, and non-binding, it urged countries to monitor the damage being done, and take steps it can to limit the damage.

Sustainability has become more of a priority globally since 1992, with more organisations setting goals and targets to limit the global damage. The UN Strategic Plan for Forest (2017-2030), provides an ambitious plan. This includes 6 Global Forest Goals, as well as 26 associated targets to be achieved by 2030.

Research has shown that a well-managed, re-planted, and harvested forest absorbs more CO2 than more mature trees in older forests.

Recycling paper

Where possible paper should be recycled, as for every ton of paper recycled, around 15 mature trees are saved.

Due to their structure, wood pulp fibres can only be recycled a certain number of times. This means there will always be a need to produce more wood fibre… Planting trees.

Manufacturers are now able to use recycled paper when making products. When this is the case, you can find the below symbol on products, and a percentage number will indicate how much of the product is made up of recycled paper fibres.

Ensuring sustainable paper production

Responsible and sustainable production of paper can be guaranteed by using businesses that use mills that use FSC or PEFC certified pulp.

The 2 main certification schemes in the UK are the PEFC and the FSC, but both operate at a global level. Each has similar attitudes, standards, and commitments to ensuring the sustainable production of wood pulp. As well as conserving natural resources, and habitats and ensuring the welfare of workers and local communities.

FSC: Forest Stewardship Council

The FSC ensures that its standards, process, and procedures are constantly monitored to provide stability and predictability within the market.

Their principles and criteria set out the global requirements for responsible forest management. These indicators are adopted at regional and national levels which reflect the legal, social, and geographical conditions which are important for different parts of the world.

FSC certificate holders have forest management and chain of custody assessments which, if passed, lead to achieving the certification.

The FSC values include:

Ecosystem services: which are the benefits that people get from nature e.g. reliable flows of clean water. The FSC demonstrates the positive impact that responsible forest management can have on ecosystem services.
Avoiding the harms of pesticides: This includes finding the best way to reduce the chemical pesticides used in FSC-certified forests and plantations, to reduce their impact on the environment.
Maintaining intact forest landscapes: this includes ensuring that the remaining unfragmented forest areas remain that way. IFL is present in 60 countries, including Brazil and Canada.
Having high conservation values: means protecting sites, habitats, and species, especially forests.

PEFC: Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

The PEFC is a global, non-profit, organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. They endorse certification systems, which have been developed through a multi-stakeholder process, and are tailored to the local needs, and priorities.

The PEFC provides all, including large and small, forest owners with the tools to begin, and maintain practicing responsible processes. As well as empowering consumers and even businesses to buy sustainably.

More about the PEFC:

There are 750,000 PEFC-certified forest owners globally
Around 330 million hectares of forest are PEFC-certified
55 countries have a PEFC national member
20,000 companies benefit from the PEFC Chain of Custody certification

Buying certified paper products

Look out for the stamps below on paper products. This indicates that the environmental standards throughout the product's life cycle, from start to finish, have been maintained.

fsc_logo pefc_logo

UK paper shortage

The paper shortage in the UK has been ongoing for some months now. Resulting in an increase in the cost of purchasing a variety of paper products. This shortage, and therefore price increase has been highlighted on the national news because of its far-reaching impact.

This situation has been made worse by the strike action by UPM Paper Mills in Finland. The decrease in the availability of products impacts businesses' stock levels. Although the movement away from plastics to sustainable paper alternatives is vital, these shortages are making this difficult. With lead times on materials previously being days, whereas now it is increasing to several months.

The recent conflict seen in Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion has led the paper and board industry to be additionally impacted. Following sanctions being levied on Russia, the tonnage of paper products in Russian mills for the European market has been halted.