The ethics of paper production is a controversial subject.
When paper is sourced irresponsibly, the production process is destructive.
However, when paper is sourced responsibly, the production process perfectly fits the sustainable circular economy model of make, reuse, recycle.
This is why buying the right paper is absolutely crucial.
If you want to buy the right paper, you must make sure the paper comes from an ethical source.
At STAX, all our products start in the forest with a renewable tree. Trees are renewable as they can be replanted.
In some parts of the world, trees aren’t being replanted, and forests are in danger, but in Europe, almost all primary forests are protected.
“In Europe, paper comes from sustainably managed forests where the cycle of planting, growing and logging is carefully controlled,” the not-for-profit organisation Two Sides states.
The EU has a forest strategy aimed at strengthening the restoration and resilience of forests, according to the European Commission. The EU’s European Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 also include ambitious commitments on forest protection and restoration.
As Two Sides reports, “Forests cover 40% of the European territory and are growing in both area and volume. Currently, the total volume is approximately 28 billion, which is growing by around 612 million every year.
“This is a net annual growth of more than 2% once the volume of harvested forests has been deducted.”
In terms of STAX, virtually all our paper materials are sourced from the EU. That’s one of many reasons why our customers feel safe ordering with STAX.
All the paper products we sell also comply with UK and EU timber regulations. Such regulations work to prevent illegally harvested timber from entering the market. By doing so, the regulations promote sustainable forest management and ensure the integrity of the timber supply chain.
Another important point to consider when ethically sourcing paper is making sure your supplier is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Ensuring your supplier is FSC certified verifies that the products you’re buying come from forests that adhere to strict environmental, social, and economic standards.
According to CEPI’s 2023 report, “73% of wood and even 90% of market pulp” in the industry comes from forest management-certified sources like FSC.
At STAX, we’re an FSC-certified organisation, just another reason why our customers feel reassured when placing an order.
Onto clearing up another myth…
A lot of people believe that paper is not sustainable, however the paper recycling rates are higher than those of any other material in Europe, with an overall rate of 79%.
“In 2023, a total of 54 million tonnes of paper was collected and recycled in Europe,” according to Two Sides.
In terms of paper packaging, “the recycling rate is even higher, with 83% of paper and cardboard packaging being recycled in Europe.”
It is important to note that paper cannot be recycled indefinitely. This is because the fibres eventually get too short and worn out. Eventually, the cycle must be refilled with fresher, stronger virgin fibres from sustainably managed forests, as discussed above.
It’s fair to say the paper industry is certainly not carbon neutral and it still has a long way to go in achieving net zero emissions. However, the paper industry is striving to do better. And it will do better. Certain newer initiatives like the European Union Deforestation Regulation are being put in place to ensure this.
The EUDR law aims to combat deforestation by ensuring that companies do extensive research on the value chain of their products. By doing so, this makes sure the products are not linked or connected in any way to forest degradation. The new EUDR obligations are expected to come into force from December 30 2025.
At STAX, we know there are many changes to come for the paper manufacturing industry. We have members of our team dedicated to reviewing such regulations as the EUDR, so our customers can be reassured we’re a safe supplier.
