The seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series will be printed on FSC paper. FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council.

Founded in 1993, this nonprofit organization brings together environmental groups, the timber industry, foresters, indigenous peoples and community groups to promote responsible forest management. They evaluate, accredit and monitor independent forest product certifiers as well as certify forest products to meet their rigorous standards. Purchasing products such as this book bearing the FSC label assures that the wood based materials come from a forest that has been responsibly managed. 

Scholastic Inc. publisher of this seventh and final book, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,’ is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. Using a total of 22 million pounds of paper, this is the largest purchase of FSC-certified paper in a single book printing to date. The FSC accredited Certification body, Rainforest Alliance/ SmartWood Program, worked with the publisher to develop its plan to buy FSC-certified paper.

For the initial printing of 12 million copies of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ in the United States, Scholastic committed to ensuring that 65% of the 16,700 tons of paper used is FSC-certified. This means that this paper will come from forests that are managed in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Moreover, all the paper used in the printing will contain at least 30% post-consumer waste fiber, with much of that verified by FSC standards as well. Rainforest Alliance will continue to help the company refine its responsible paper procurement policies.

“We applaud Scholastic’s progressive and bold commitment to support responsible forestry practices by buying FSC-certified and recycled papers,” said Liza Murphy, senior marketing manager in the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable forestry program. “We hope that other businesses follow this lead by making commitments to using wood products that come from forests that are managed to be productive, protect soils and waterways, and benefit local communities.”

The area of FSC-certified forestlands has skyrocketed in recent years. More than 215 million acres (87 million hectares) globally are FSC-certified to date, up from more than 118 million acres (48 million hectares) in 2004. This increase has propelled rapid growth in the global supply of FSC-certified wood products including paper. Several hundred pulp providers, mills, merchants and printers globally have obtained FSC certification, which allows for increasing availability of certified products to consumers.

The Rainforest Alliance uses a variety of strategies to support the development of sustainable economies globally. The organization guides companies that are developing procurement policies for sustainably produced forest and agriculture products. Leading retailers including ABC Carpet & Home, Lowe’s, Home Depot and IKEA and paper giants like Domtar and Tembec all use products that originate from FSC-certified forests. Increasing consumer interest in FSC-certified products ensures that forest companies have growing economic incentives to manage their lands responsibly.

FSC Germany just launched an online resource center to help people locate FSC-certified paper producers, distributors and services providers from around Europe. Visit www.fsc-paper.org where you can also search for paper brands or paper specifications.