Paper and packaging

Certified materials for a sustainable future
Close shot of tree bark

Forest-friendly paper is good for business

Paper and packaging are some of the most widely used forest-based products, so ensuring they are sustainably sourced is crucial to protecting healthy, resilient forests. FSC® certification allows you to provide the responsible choices consumers want and demonstrate your commitment to forests worldwide.

iStock.com / winnond
Paper and packaging
FSC / All wood, packaging and paper products are certified
Multicolored books
iStock.com / Nadya So

Consumers put forests first

While paper- and cardboard-based packaging is easy to recycle, it can also contribute to deforestation and illegal logging if it’s not sourced responsibly.

According to a global survey of consumers*, sustainability is a key consideration while shopping.
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86%

of global consumers prefer to choose products that do not harm plants and animals

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76%

say products’ sustainability credentials should be independently certified

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77%

of those consumers who recognize the FSC label prefer to choose an FSC-certified product instead of an equivalent non-certified product

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59%

of consumers surveyed in the US and UK are willing to pay more for eco-friendly packaging1

boxes
FSC / Boxes (Mail Boxes Germany GmbH)

Stand out by standing with FSC

With a certification label recognized by 56 per cent of consumers worldwide,2 we’re setting the standard for sustainable forestry. 

FSC certification sends a clear message to businesses and consumers that you are taking action to protect the future of our forests and stand against harmful practices like deforestation and illegal logging. 

Companies worldwide trust FSC to protect forests

Elopak logo Elopak has been an FSC chain of custody certificate holder since 2010.
Kimberly- Clark logo Kimberly-Clark is an FSC international member and has been an FSC chain of custody certificate holder since 2007.
Paboco logo Paboco has been an FSC chain of custody certificate holder since 2020. In 2021, Paboco Paper Bottle Community welcomed FSC as an expert advisor in sustainable forest management.
SIG logo SIG has been an FSC chain of custody certificate holder since 2009.
Tetra Pak logo Tetra Pak has been an FSC chain of custody certificate holder since 2007 and has manufactured over 500 billion FSC-certified cartons.
UPM logo UMP is an FSC international member and has been a promotional licence holder since 2020.

How you can benefit from FSC certification

Paper and packaging companies of all sizes can do their part to protect forests worldwide.
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Manufacturers

If your paper or packaging products use FSC-certified or controlled forest-based materials, you can obtain a chain-of-custody certification. 

Chain-of-custody certification shows your customers and supply chain that you’re committed to sustainable sourcing. It verifies that you’ve put processes in place to produce and trade FSC-certified products. 

When you receive chain of custody certification, you will also be able to use the FSC trademarks, letting customers know your product is a responsible, sustainable choice. 

Learn more  →
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Retailers and brands

Organizations that are not FSC certified but want to promote FSC-certified finished goods can obtain a promotional licence. This licence enables you to use the FSC logo in your promotional materials, showing the world your commitment to caring for the health and resilience of forests. More than half of consumers around the world recognize the distinctive FSC logo.3

Learn more  →

Paper and packaging goes full circle

It’s time to rethink paper and packaging with circularity in mind. Our recycled label supports the three principles of circularity defined by the Ellen McArthur Foundation. **
Close shot of tree trunk
FSC / Bablu Singh

Regenerate natural systems

Our forest management standards and ecosystem services solutions ensure forests are managed sustainably so there is no net loss of forest over time.

Stacks of cardboard boxes
iStock / Martin Barraud Istock_1082694112

Keep products and materials in use

We created the FSC Recycled label to reduce the need to harvest virgin forest material for new products. Only products containing 100 per cent reclaimed materials can carry the FSC Recycled label.

close shot or cardboard corrugate
iStock.com / Lisa Beeby

Design waste out of the system

Our FSC Recycled label covers pre consumer reclaimed material, ensuring that materials are recycled back into production instead of ending up in landfills.

Paboco paper bottle
FSC / Botella de papel (Paboco); Macetas (H&M Home)

Paboco: Paper Bottle Company

FSC is an Expert Advisor with Paboco's community, supporting a scalable transformation towards more sustainable packaging. 

Learn more →

Make a commitment to the forests

Your journey toward sustainable sourcing starts now.

Learn about the process to obtain your FSC certification or licencing
Make it official →
Packaging

Unpack everything FSC has to offer

Discover all the ways we’re bringing value to paper and packaging companies.

Get the brochure →

*:  GlobeScan Global Consumer Research, August 2021 - “According to a global survey of consumers,1 sustainability is a key consideration while shopping.”  

1: GlobalWebIndex, 2019 

2: GlobeScan Global Consumer Research, August 2022 

3: GlobeScan Global Consumer Research, August 2021 

**: The Circularity Economy in Detail, Ellen McArthur Foundation,