This is a guest article written by the Stag Print team.
Stag Print proud to receive FSC certification
The company is big on sustainability and preserving the planet with an established environmental policy. This includes obtaining 100% of its paper and board from responsible sources, recycling all wastepaper and litho plates, favouring environmentally conscious suppliers and products, and using energy-efficient LED lights and equipment.
They recently purchased a fully refurbished state-of-the-art Komori press machine specifically chosen as being one of the cleanest and greenest around.
Stag Print is also very community minded and has been a longstanding proud supporter of local charity Oakleaf. Providing them with pro bono printing and regularly attending fundraising events such as their very successful Picnics & Pimm’s day at Chilworth Manor.
Having only used responsibly sourced paper for years, in 2023 Stag Print received official FSC certification and is very proud to show its support for the world’s forests.
What does certification mean?
FSC's pioneering certification system, enables businesses and consumers to choose wood, paper and other forest products made with materials that support responsible forestry.
FSC uses a chain of custody approach to track materials to ensure they are in line with their standards. The chain of custody is the path a material takes from the forest to the point it is sold with an FSC claim. This chain follows a product through sourcing, processing, trading, and distribution until it reaches the next stage of the supply chain involving a change of product ownership.
Why now?
Stag Print always thought the UK only used responsibly sourced paper; until recently. As Stag Print managing director, Sushil Patel, explained: “We were shocked when we lost a job to a company that was getting their paper from the Far East, rather than sustainable sources, solely because it was cheaper. We decided it was time to change this and make sustainability in printing and packaging more of a focus than just price.”
A report by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that paper and wood products account for approximately 10% of total deforestation. It may not be a huge number compared to other industries, but it does highlight how the printing and packaging sector can do its bit to support sustainable forests.
Sushil Patel continued: “Many of our customers are as keen on protecting the planet as we are, which is why we love working with them. Using recyclable materials is as important to them as it is to us. Knowing we are FSC certified gives them confidence and means we can print the highly acclaimed FSC approved logo on their printing and packaging products. Which in turn helps spread the word and educates others.”
How to get certified
The process to certification is simple if you are already demonstrating the correct green credentials and FSC offers lots of helpful tips and advice. Visit the FSC website to find out more.
Learn more about Stag Print online.