The jack-o-lanterns are starting to lose their grins and egg nog has appeared in the dairy cases, and that can only mean one thing: the holiday season is here!
If you’re like us, however, then you have a love/cringe relationship where the holidays are concerned. While there’s nothing like spending more time with the people you adore and embracing some much-loved traditions, there’s also an environmental impact to all the festivities.
What if we told you, however, that by taking a few extra seconds with every purchase to look for the FSC label, you could help lighten the burden the holidays have on our planet?
Buying sustainable products helps reduce waste, conserve raw materials, and use less water and energy. And finding these sustainable alternatives for every step of your holiday celebration, especially wood products with the FSC® label, is much easier than you might think.
What does the FSC label mean?
If you see an FSC label on a product, this means the wood or paper materials used come from responsibly managed forests. Responsible forest management not only refers to the trees, but also to the people and animals that depend on them.
The three FSC labels you’ll see are:
- FSC 100% – All materials in the product come from FSC-certified forests.
- FSC Recycled – The product is made entirely from verified recycled materials.
- FSC Mix – The product is made from a combination of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled sources, and/or controlled wood.
The FSC label can be spotted in many different areas, depending on where you’re shopping and what you’re shopping for.
- directly on products, tags, or packaging
- brochures and catalogues
- websites and point-of-sale displays
It may take a second or two to spot the FSC label, but those extra seconds help you know whether or not what you’re purchasing was supplied and manufactured with its global impact in mind.
Find FSC every step of the (holiday) way
1. Sending holiday cards
Sending holiday cards, whether they’re homemade or store-bought, is a great way to spread holiday cheer. (In addition to singing, that is.) And there are FSC-certified alternatives for almost every supply on your list.
2. Buying and wrapping gifts
It’s no surprise that the whole gift-giving tradition of the holidays generates a lot of waste. From the wrapping paper to the gift itself*, opportunities abound for finding greener options.
*Want more FSC-certified gift inspo? Check out FSC’s official holiday guide and these featured gifts from our very own certificate members.
3. Hosting the holiday feast
As more brands are deciding to source their materials from ethically managed forests (because as our founder says, it “makes good business sense“), it’s becoming easier and easier to purchase party products that have earned the FSC label.
4. Relaxing with loved ones
Sure, hearty meals and thoughtful gifts are great, but there’s no doubt that what really makes a holiday special is time spent relaxing with those we care about. Whether you’re a puzzler or prefer to snuggle under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa, there are plenty of sustainable options for finding your holiday zen.
5. Nursing that holiday cold
After all the fun has been had, you may realize you’re hosting a lingering guest: a cold. But even those pesky buggers can’t keep us from finding sustainable products.
Fa-la-la-la-la for FSC 🎵
While the holiday season offers many delights, it can also bring with it some extra stressors. Our hope is that we’ve helped make it easier to find sustainable, FSC®-certified products for every need of the season, lightening the burden on both you and our forests.
From our team to yours, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year. 💚
Image credits: All product images by the American Green team. Header and background image by Maria Kovalets and Clément M on Unsplash.