FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS

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PURCHASE AND USE OF FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC) CERTIFIED PAPER

Background:

The United States is the largest market for paper products in the world--producing 90 million tons and consuming 100 million tons annually. About 25 per cent of the timber cut annually in the U.S. is used for paper production, with the majority of it cut unsustainably. Currently 35 per cent of this market is made up of recycled paper--used in combination (usually 10-35 per cent recycled) with virgin fiber from forests. This means that recycled paper may contain up to 90 per cent virgin fiber.

Seattle Audubon has an active campaign to promote the growth, harvest, sale and purchase of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood products, which helps to protect important wildlife habitat on working forestlands. The FWOC adopted Resolution #11 in 2004 which supported FSC certification for Washington state forests and urged member clubs to urge their members to buy FSC certified lumber products. [WA State DNR did decide to seek FSC certification for its forest lands in the South Sound Planning Unit.]

When you buy FSC products, you are supporting sustainable management of our forests. The FSC logo on paper products (even if labeled "made from 100 percent recycled paper") ensures they have gone through an independent, detailed audit process, whereas the recycled logo itself is not necessarily guaranteed by a third party. Currently FSC paper comes with these labels: FSC recycled, mixed sources and virgin fibers.


Resolution:

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs urges its member clubs, in their various purchases and use of copy and stationary paper, to consider replacing non-FSC virgin paper with FSC recycled paper products.





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