The FSC/SFI Sham … or Is It?

Is FSC/SFI certification a sham? Is there really FSC/SFI-certified pulp in the FSC/SFI-certified paper you buy? What about recycled pulp? Can you trust anyone?

PaperSpecs discusssed what certified pulp contains - and does not contain - in a recent post. You can read some of the insightful comments form our readers and add your thoughts.

SFI's Responds to US Green Building Council Draft Benchmarks for Forest Certification

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) has submitted formal objections to the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) latest draft benchmarks to evaluate forest certification programs.

The USGBC - developer of the LEED green building certification system - only recognizesthe use of wood products from FSC-certified forests for the forest certification element for LEED certification.

“If the USGBC maintains the status quo and does not recognize the SFI Standard, many LEED builders
who chase points will turn away reputable third-party certified SFI wood which is grown in their backyard, in the US and Canada," said Kathy Abusow, President/CEO of SFI, in the organization's response.

Is No Saturday Delivery and Hybrid Mail the Solution to the USPS’ Problems?

For the last 20+ years people have been expecting digital delivery of personal and promotional messages to be a challenge to the “monopoly” held by paper mail, but none of them reckoned with the recession that hit us in the middle of 2008.

Mail volume has dropped about 17% over the last 5 years, while the number of delivery points increased by 4%. Mail
volume is expected to drop to 150 billion pieces by 2020. How is the US Postal Service dealing with these changes?

Wow! Now That’s Telling ‘Em!

Washington DC Ward 3 Council member Mary M. Cheh recently responded to a critic asking her to practice what she preached, with this info on her latest newsletter:

“We engaged a printer for the production of this piece that is 100% wind powered, carbon neutral, uses a waterless printing process, and is an EPA Green Power Partner and EPA Climate Leader. It was printing on FSC certified paper using vegetable-based inks.”

Could your customers say that?

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Environmental Innovation Awards - Apply Now!

The WhatTheyThink Environmental Innovation Awards were a great success last year and we want YOU to apply for one of this year's awards!

Download your application form and return it by 5:00 PM (Eastern time) on March 26, 2010. You can submit applications in more than one category; but you need to complete a separate application for each category for consideration.

For those of you who are natural procrastinators, there will be NO extension to the deadline this year!

International Paper's New "Down to Earth" Website

International Paper's new "Down to Earth" website offers an assortment of booklets that address many of the myths and misperceptions surrounding paper and the environment. The series includes:

• Certification: Where does your paper come from?
• Recycled vs. Virgin: Is recycled paper the best you can do?
• Carbon Footprint: How big is your carbon footprint?
• Pixels or Paper: Are pixels greener than paper?
• Labels & Logos: How do certification labels and logos benefit you?
• Responsible Forestry: How does using paper lead to more trees?
• Print on Paper: Is it worth printing?

Going Green On the Road

PrintCEO Forum, October 2, Chicago

At WhatTheyThink's second PrintCEO Forum, right before Graph Expo, I'll be leading a panel of “green” printers where we'll discuss how sustainability initiatives cut costs. Going green doesn't cost, it pays!

Looking forward to seeing you!

Read all the details about other upcoming events on the Going Green Events page. Here's a few coming up.

Sustainability in Packaging Summit, March 15-17, 2010

Printing for a Sustainable Future, March 15-17, 2010

Ethical Sourcing Forum, March 18-19, 2010

Strategic Sustainability for Leaders: Develop Your Leadership Potential, March 22-24, 2010

GLOBE 2010, March 23-25, 2010

GreenCamp Dallas, April 24, 2010

Green:Net 2010, April 29, 2010

Sustainable Manufacturing Summit, May 11-12, 2010