Greening your business is all the buzz these days. Going Green is commonly mentioned in magazines, newspapers, television programs and all over the internet. The topic is so broad that getting started can be overwhelming. Since everyone uses some form of paper products on a daily basis, this article provides some background on the Green lumber and paper industry.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization devoted to responsible management of the world’s forests and the resulting products. The FSC standards ensure that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable way. The intent of the FSC management system is to eliminate wildlife habitat destruction, water pollution, and displacement and violence against the indigenous peoples that often accompanies logging. The FSC provides two types of certifications: one for the forests that grow the lumber and the second is called the chain-of-custody certification which is for the entities who use the FSC timber to make other products.

Any product made of pulp or paper has the potential to be certified as long as the wood in the product originates from FSC-certified sources.  Wood is an important material for all paper manufacturers.  In order to use the FSC logo as an environmental claim, the paper product must go through the FSC chain-of-custody from the FSC-certified forest, to a paper manufacturer, merchant, and finally to a printer who has FSC chain-of-custody certification.  The same is true for lumber and architectural millwork products.

Koetter Woodworking, Inc. in Borden, Indiana received the FSC chain-of-custody certification in February of this year. Koetter Woodworking provides products such as millwork, cabinetry components and hardwood flooring. Mr. Brandon Koetter led the FSC certification process based on the increasing demand for FSC products from their customers. Mr. Koetter reported that Koetter Woodworking is committed to sustainable business practices and has planted over 275,000 trees on 361 acres in Indiana and Kentucky since 1998. He also reported that Koetter Woodworking implemented a recycling program that reduced their landfill volume by ninety percent. In addition, Koetter Woodworking educates over 18,000 people annually at their Forest Discovery Center on the importance of sustainable forestry.

International companies such as The Coca-Cola Company and the National Wildlife Federation use FSC paper for their printed communications. FSC paper is also available at all FedEx Kinkos locations. Paper merchants in the Louisville area with FSC chain-of -custody certification includes Athens Paper Company, Shaughnessy-Knuiep-Hawe Paper Company, Inc., Unisource WorldWide, Inc., and Xpedx. Next time you have a printing project or need construction materials remember to look for FSC-certified products.