Sustainable forest management is essential to preserving ecosystems and supporting communities. You’ve likely seen the FSC logo on lumber, paper products, furniture, and even packaging, like the roll of Ram Board you might use on a job site. But what does this forest management certification really mean?
What is FSC Certification?
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent non-profit that was founded in 1993 in an effort to improve the way forests are harvested for products. They set the standards for forest products and assess forest management and chain of custody operations. Today, the FSC is represented in over 80 countries and, as of 2022, has certified over 160 million acres of forest in the US and Canada alone.
FSC certification ensures that forests are responsibly managed – not just for the environment, but also for the benefit of local communities and future generations. These standards support environmental, social, and economic goals by protecting wildlife, water sources, and preventing deforestation.
How FSC-certified materials help sustainable forestry
According to the FSC, forests cover 30 percent of the global land area. Not only are forests home to 70 percent of land animals and plants, but a large portion of the world’s population also depends on forests for necessities like food and shelter. Unfortunately, tens of millions of forest acres are lost yearly. FSC Certified forests maintain certain standards that promote conservation and minimize environmental impact.
Just think about how much wood products are used for new housing developments. Not only is lumber needed for framing, siding, doors, cabinets, hardwood floors, and any other wood finishes, but there are also paper products, like cardboard used to ship supplies, floor protection board like Ram Board, and countless other products used that once came from trees.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average size of a home in 2021 was 2,356 square feet. If you do the math, a large pine tree can yield about 754 board feet. If a single-family home requires around 6.3 board feet for every square foot, that means an average house uses almost 20 trees, just for framing. You can expect to double that for all the finishing touches. For a community of 50 homes, that is 2,000 trees from start to finish.
Buying FSC–certified paper and lumber means the forests that supply the wood are managed in a sustainable way – protected from deforestation and excessive clearcutting. Other FSC products, like Ram Board, can be used from recycled materials so no new trees are cut down to produce them.
Understanding different FSC labels
When looking for FSC–certified products, there are three different certification labels you might see.
- FSC 100%: All materials used in a product come from FSC–certified forests.
- FSC Recycled: The product is made from 100% recycled materials.
- FSC Mix: A blend of FSC-certified, recycled and controlled sources.
Why should you buy FSC–certified products?
In the construction world, the US Green Building Council’s LEED program certifies buildings on four levels – certified, silver, gold, and platinum – based on the number of points a project gets. Especially in urban areas, developers are focusing on greener buildings. FSC–certified wood and other building materials help contribute points to LEED.
EXPLORE RAM BOARD’S FSC® CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
Choosing products from certified companies that support responsibly managed forests is not only good for the planet, it’s also good for your business. With growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable materials, many global brands are switching to FSC-certified supply chains.
Ram Board, a trusted name in heavy-duty floor protection, is FSC certified. Our rolls are made with 100% recycled material, helping contribute to LEED points and reducing the need to harvest new trees. Plus, our board is reusable, making it the smart, environmentally friendly choice for floor protection.
For more information and to see our full line of products, such as stair protectors and door jamb protectors, visit our catalog.