December 3, 2008

Certified Fibers Can Protect Against Greenwashing Claims

Packaging managers who want to avoid the negative image associated with using virgin fibers in packaging may want to consider using certified, sustainably forested fibers, writes Linda Casey in Packaging Digest.

Casey writes that sustainable forestry organizations can help packagers authenticate their “green packaging claims” by providing evidence of compliance to reporting standards.

The Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative both offer forest management standards. FSC has a set of 10 principles and more than 50 criteria that deal with legal issues - including indigenous rights, labor rights, and environmental impacts. SFI addresses nine areas of concern relating to sustainably forested fibers.

Casey writes that “by using FSC- or SFI-certified products or becoming a certified supplier, a packaging operation can ensure a measure of protection against claims of greenwashing.”

In October, Jeff Salisbury, president of Label Impressions, wrote on EL that green printing and packaging materials is more than just recycling, reusing and renewing. Salisbury says he would like to see more brand owners, printers and consumers focus on sourcing print and packaging from more abundant, renewable resources.

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