CreationDepot recently contacted the Sustainable Forestry Initiative to see about partnering with them as a graphic design firm. Currently, while the SFI isn’t looking to include design firms in the chain of custody application process, they do welcome the support!
The SFI standard integrates the perpetual growing of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality. SFI program participants practice responsible forestry on the lands they manage and influence millions of additional acres through the training of loggers, foresters and family forest landowners in best management practices.
While we don’t solely use SFI approved vendors, we do make a conscious effort to encourage our print vendors to partner with this program. In house however, we only use SFI approved paper products because that’s the part we can control, and really that’s what it’s all about. Making change where it’s possible and educating those who may not know that there is an opportunity.
And one thing I always stress to clients is that there’s no cost difference between using a SFI vendor or a non-SFI vendor. The only difference is where the paper comes from. The quality doesn’t change, and the level of service doesn’t change. The only thing that changes is that the earth stays a little greener, and you can’t ask for an easier option than that.
Below is some additional information provided to us from the SFI program. Please do feel free to ask us any questions you may have in the comments field below!
How We Show We Care About Forests
One simple and truly effective way we are promoting responsible forest management right here at home is to recommend that clients choose products and print houses that are third-party certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) Standard.
SFI Inc. is an independent non-profit organization that manages the world’s single largest forest standard. More than 180 million acres are certified to the SFI forest management standard in the United States and Canada so you’re sure to find the paper you need.
And there’s a lot behind the SFI label.
In an SFI-certified forest, harvested areas are reforested promptly, all laws are obeyed, biological diversity is maintained, special sites are given special consideration, wildlife habitat is conserved, and a lot more. A three-chamber board of directors makes sure environmental, social and economic interests are addressed equally.
The SFI label is a sign you are buying paper made with fiber from certified forests, certified sourcing and/or post-consumer recycled content. If the fiber is from outside of North America, it has been risk assessed to avoid illegal logging and other controversial sources.
There’s a lot more information on the SFI website. You’ll find a list of printers with SFI chain-of-custody certification or you can search for SFI-certified products on the on-line Certification Database. If you’re a printer, there’s A Quick Guide to the SFI Chain-of-Custody Standard that outlines the steps to certify operations to the SFI chain-of-custody standard.
The SFI community brings together enthusiastic people – conservation groups and public agencies, labor and business, landowners of all sizes, forest professionals and community organizations. They share ideas, resources and enthusiasm, and achieve more in the forest, in communities and in the marketplace.
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