The publisher became the first direct-to-retail publisher in the UK to take this step back in November 2006. Since this date everything Glebe Cottage has published has been FSC certified, displaying the distinctive FSC ‘tick tree’ symbol - which assures consumers that the paper comes from responsible sources.
Director Susanna Morrish said, “When we first took this step we said we wanted to enable consumers to make positive choices in favour of the environment, based on credible environmental claims. Obtaining FSC certification was a big step forward for us - and we haven’t looked back since!”
As well as the obvious environmental benefits of using FSC certified material Glebe says that having its own Chain of Custody has enabled the company to be both competitive and to broaden its options for board. “We are fortunate to work with some fantastic paper mills and suppliers so we have been able to commission our own FSC recycled paper makings.
The use of boards such as tecknocard recycled or James Cropper’s coffee-cup paper has been made viable by taking responsibility for our own paper procurement, and managing the FSC chain of custody ourselves.” This has been particularly helpful in the company’s creation of environmentally responsible bespoke products for charity clients - which now form a substantial part of the business.
Rosie Teasdale, Executive Director of FSC UK said, “In the past 10 years both the worldwide area of FSC certified forests and recognition of the logo in the UK have more than doubled (now 195M hectares and 48% respectively). Glebe Cottage’s decade-long commitment to FSC certification has seen them pave the way for others in the greeting card sector, ensuring that their cards not only show care for the recipient but also for the forests from which they’re sourced.”
Retailers interested in stocking products from Glebe Cottage can see the collections on its new website www.glebecottage.co.uk or contact the office for the latest brochures on 01626 369269.
This article was originally published in our Forest Matters newsletter.