Green print gathers pace as industry joins paws with WWF

Complete Colour Printing from Victoria and print management company Complete Print Solutions are among the first signatories to the Australia Forest and Trade Network (AFTN), an initiative of the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). Joining them are forestry companies ITC Limited and Timbercorp, timber importer Simmonds Lumber and design agency UP&UP Creative, with each company representing a different stage in the forest products supply chain.

Participation is open to all businesses that supply or use timber and paper who are seeking to support responsible forest management. The Australian members join an existing network of over 300 companies across 30 countries around the world that are battling to stem the global of illegal timber, while simultaneously encouraging the proper management of forests. Australia currently imports hundreds of millions of dollars of illegally harvested timber every year, with a Federal Government report estimating it in 2005 at around $400 million or nine per cent of total timber imports.

Complete Colour Printing provides both offset and digital services and emphasise its environmentally responsible production methods. The company has already attained Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, allowing it to promote its use of products from well-managed forests and stamp the FSC logo on printed publications, and it claims joining the WWF network is the next logical step of its environmental agenda.

“We are excited to be a part of the Australia Forest and Trade Network and look forward to working with WWF Australia to encourage more environmentally responsible behaviour,” says Gemma Harbutt, marketing co-ordinator at Complete Colour Printing.

Complete Print Solutions, the print management presence on the network, says its participation is as much a response to shifting market demand as it is an attempt to promote an environmentally friendly supply chain. “Our clients are increasingly seeking more environmentally responsible paper choices,” said Peter Scott, general manager of Complete Print Solutions.

The forestry companies are also eager to get onboard and use their prominence in the forest products supply chain to help promote a green agenda and set an example to the rest of the industry.

“As an importer of tropical timber we recognise that our trading position gives us the opportunity to take a proactive lead in reducing the trade in illegal timber,” says Paul Elsmore, chief executive officer of Simmonds Lumber. “Participation in the AFTN will demonstrate our commitment to encouraging responsible forestry to our customers and suppliers.”

Integrated forestry company ITC has also secured FSC certification for the bulk of its plantations, claiming this ties in strongly with its participation in the new Australian WWF network. “ITC is in an enviable position to be able to respond to our growing national and international customer demand for FSC certified forest products,” said Vince Eramsus, CEO of ITC Limited.

On the agency side of the supply chain, UP&UP Creative says its presence on the WWF network, as well as its use of FSC certified products, allows it to communicate its environmentally friendly policies to its clients.

“By sourcing paper from FSC certified forests we are supporting our eco-design and values-based approach, good forest management and integrating our clients CSR values into our communication solutions,” said Monique McNamara, director at UP&UP Creative.