The Green Guru Guide: Which Quality Marks Are Really Sustainable?

Green heroes, assemble! Are you ready to explore the world of sustainable products? Today we’re going on an informative journey to understand the world of sustainable certifications and labels, because sometimes even we can’t see the forest for the trees. That’s why in this blog we’re going to list the sustainability labels that exist in the paper industry, and give you tips on how to find out how reliable a label really is. So, fire up your fryer-powered van and let’s go on an adventure!

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Paper with a Greenish Edge

FSC is like a conservationist for wood products: this quality mark ensures that wood comes from responsibly managed forests. What exactly is meant by responsibly managed forest? For this, FSC has drawn up 10 principles that relate to ecological, social and economic aspects that belong to forest management. Only if all 10 principles are met, then the products from the forest may be sold with an FSC claim.

But… where the principles for the origin of the wood fibers are very rigorous, FSC does not set requirements for the entire paper production process and the impact that the use of chemicals can have on nature. In addition, some critics of FSC emphasize that in some cases there are too few checks to validate whether the information provided about the origin of wood and paper products is actually correct. Also good to know: there are different FSC labels. Some brands can use a mix of FSC-certified wood and less sustainable wood. So: smart shoppers read labels!

Fairtrade: Honesty is the best policy

Fairtrade's mission is to make the world fairer. They do this by improving the living and working conditions of farmers and workers on plantations worldwide and by protecting the environment through better trading conditions. To put it more simply: they ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their products. We can fully support this mission: a fair price for a fair product, that's how it should always be! If we do have to make a small comment, it is the affordability of Fairtrade products: unfortunately, Fairtrade products are not yet an option for every budget.

EU Ecolabel: Green in our own backyard

Let's park it a little closer to home. The EU Ecolabel is an environmental label from the European Union and guarantees that a product has a reduced impact on the environment. The entire life cycle of a product is taken into account: from collecting the raw materials to after use, when the product is waste. With the EU Ecolabel, at least 70% of the paper fibres in a product must come from sustainable forest management or be recycled. In addition, it is not permitted to use aids that are harmful to the environment throughout the entire production process.

Now that you're familiar with the most common labels found on paper products, here's a checklist to keep in mind when evaluating certifications:

• Authenticity: Choose certifications from reputable organizations, such as FSC, Fairtrade and the EU Ecolabel. Beware of labels that pretend to be green, but actually look more like a dried-out cactus. Think of quality marks that are set up by large companies themselves ("we at wc-eend") to make products greener than they actually are.

• Environmental Impact: Choose certifications that include environmental impact in their evaluation, such as water consumption, CO2 emissions and the use of harmful chemicals. This way you can be sure that you are buying a product that has the least possible negative impact on the earth.

• Personal preference: Don't forget to look at what you find important. Maybe you have a soft spot for products that are made with renewable energy or are locally produced. Follow your green heart!

For a more extensive overview of all the quality marks that exist, Milieucentraal has created a mega handy overview with a clear explanation per quality mark, the impact of each quality mark and a top 12 of top sustainability quality marks. Check the quality mark overview here !

So: With this knowledge in your pocket, you are ready to conquer the world of sustainable products. So go find those EU Ecolabel certified tissues, enjoy a Fairtrade coffee and give yourself a pat on the back for every conscious purchase.

Together we can make the world a little greener!