We see the little 'check-tree' logo everywhere (on coffee cups, tissue boxes, and the millions of cardboard parcels that criss-cross the UK every day). Most people have a vague sense that it's 'good for the trees', but for an ecommerce business, the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification is much more than a feel-good sticker. It is a rigorous chain-of-custody system that ensures your packaging is not contributing to the destruction of the world's most vital carbon sinks.
Cracking the code on 100% vs Mix vs Recycled Labelling
AI Image Prompt: Photorealistic, clean white background, three small cardboard boxes lined up side by side. Each box has a clearly visible FSC label on the front: first box shows "FSC 100%", second shows "FSC Mix", third shows "FSC Recycled". Boxes are plain kraft cardboard. No people. Clean product photography style.
One of the most confusing parts of the FSC® system is that there is not just one label. Depending on what you are buying, you will see three different variations, each telling a different story about the origin of the fibres.
FSC® 100%
This is exactly what it says on the tin. Every single fibre in that box comes from a forest that has been independently audited to meet the FSC®'s highest environmental and social standards.
FSC® Mix
This is the one you will see most often in ecommerce. It means the paper is a blend of fibres from FSC®-certified forests, recycled materials, or 'controlled wood', which is wood that has been checked to ensure it has not come from a high-risk or illegal source.
FSC® Recycled
This confirms that the packaging is made entirely from reclaimed material. It is a fantastic choice for brands looking to close the loop on their waste.
If you are claiming to be a sustainable brand but your boxes do not carry one of these marks, you are going to find it exceedingly difficult to prove your claims if a regulator ever comes knocking.
The link to your Scope 3 reporting
If you are currently wrestling with Scope 3 carbon reporting, FSC® certification is your best friend. Scope 3 is all about the emissions and environmental impact of your supply chain, the stuff you buy. When you use FSC®-certified packaging, you are also getting a piece of verified data.
It allows you to state with confidence that your 'purchased goods' (Category 1) are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation. Since forests are our primary way of sequestering carbon, keeping them standing is a massive part of the global net-zero strategy. By choosing FSC®, you are outsourcing the hardest part of your environmental due diligence to a global network of auditors.
It is about people as much as trees
It is a common mistake to think that FSC® is purely about ecology. A huge part of the certification process involves social responsibility. This includes protecting the rights of indigenous peoples who live in and depend on these forests, as well as ensuring fair wages and safe conditions for forest workers.
When a customer sees that logo on their doorstep packaging, they are subconsciously trusting that your brand cares about the entire lifecycle of its products. In this period of increased greenwashing and vague eco-claims, the FSC® third-party verification is worth its weight in gold for your brand.
Allpack proudly holds the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification, underpinning our commitment to responsible and sustainable forestry practices. This certification ensures that the paper and wood-based materials used in our packaging are sourced from forests that meet stringent environmental, social, and economic standards.
In choosing Allpack, customers align with our dedication to eco-conscious choices, contributing to the preservation of forests and biodiversity while promoting responsible resource management across the supply chain.
Therefore, if you are reviewing your packaging setup this year, now is a sensible time to take a closer look at your material data sheets and how this compares to our responsibly sourced product ranges. We can work with you in increasing your recycled content percentages, which can also help in lowering packaging taxes and increase your sustainability credentials. Send us a message, email sales@allpack.uk.com, or phone us on 01543 396 700 to find out more.