Printers gather to crack the FSC code

FSC may be the buzzword of the printing industry, but many printers are still bamboozled as to what it all means.

 

An information night held at Allen and Unwin, Sydney attracted over forty audience members all keen to discover how they could do their bit for the environment and keep their businesses healthy at the same time.

Director of FSC, Michael Spencer, believes that the move to FSC is growing locally at a healthy rate. "At the start of the year we set ourselves an FSC certificate target of 60," he said. "We've already reached that target and are now estimating that we will reach 80, but it may well end up being 100."

Spencer describes FSC as "a market-driven system to drive responsible forest management." Contrary to popular belief, he vigorously maintains that the environment is a prime concern - for ordinary citizens and printers alike.

"People are motivated by these things," he said.
"They disagree that individuals can do little about environmental problems."

Pictured: the face of FSC Australia, Merrin Layden and Michael Spencer.

Guest speaker Rodney Wade, environment and technical manager for Finsbury Green, based in Adelaide spoke of the company's experiences in gaining FSC certification along with being FSC Chain of Custody certified.

Paper manufacturing is one of the greatest challenges facing the printing industry, according to Wade. "Historically, paper and pulp production has been a dirty and polluting activity," he said. "However, over the past ten years the paper industry has changed dramatically throughout all parts of the world."

Wade believes that a legitimate "green" printer should be both FSC certified and actively promoting the use of sustainable paper. "In our view, FSC is the highest and most trustworthy international certification for paper and timber products," he said.

Responsible and appropriate printing should be top-of-mind for printing companies, according to Wade, who offered the audience his top four myths regarding printing. These include:

1) Paper and print is not an environmental issue
2) Sustainable paper costs more and is a lower quality
3) There is limited market demand for environmentally responsible paper
4) Using recycled paper eliminates the negative impact of paper use

The views of Wade and other guest speakers were echoed by audience members who believe that FSC is a step towards protecting the future. Michael Jones, managing director of CDM said that: "We are seeking FSC accreditation and believe other businesses should do so as well - for the legacy of our children."

Doing it for the kids ... (l-r) Ursula Antunez from SGS, Michael Spencer, from FSC and Michael Jones from CDM.