PEFC is leading the way in responsible packaging

Environmental awareness is increasingly important in product marketing. Increasingly, interest in the origin of the material concerns not only the product, but also the packaging. The function of the packaging is to protect the product so that it remains of good quality during the entire period of transport, sale and use. In this sense, packaging plays a key role in combating food waste. In addition, the packaging is of great importance to the product's overall responsibility.

Wood fiber packaging – a sustainable solution

The good features of packaging made of wood fibers include, among other things, renewability, and recyclability. Wood is used not only in paper and cardboard but also in packaging materials made of bioplastics. However, recyclability and renewable material are not enough in themselves to make packaging responsible. It is important to know the origin of the wood material, because not all wood-based material originates from sites where requirements promoting responsibility are in place or where compliance with the legislation is even monitored - there is also controversial wood material on the market and only sustainable forest management can ensure the continuity of forests. Sustainable forest management helps safeguard biodiversity, helps curb climate change, takes care of forest regeneration - all of these are good not only for our planet but also for communities that rely on forests in various ways.

PEFC ensuring responsible packaging solutions

PEFC is the world's leading forest certification system and the system chosen by small forest owners. It safeguards biodiversity, ecosystems and helps protect the climate, supports the livelihood of forest-dependent people and local communities. With the help of certification, it is possible to manage even a complex supply chains. 71% of all certified forests worldwide are PEFC certified, which means more than 280 million hectares of forest. More than 90% of Finland's commercial forests are PEFC certified. It also means that PEFC-certified raw material is readily available as a raw material for packaging. In Finland, responsibility is also supported by the domesticity of PEFC forests and short transport distances.

The PEFC label – the guide to sustainable packaging

The consumer can be sure of the origin of the packaging material and sustainable forest management with the help of forest certification and the PEFC label. The packaging and the responsibility claims printed on it are often the first things the consumer sees about the product. Responsibility claims and labels have indeed been found to have a positive effect on the consumer's purchase decision (McKinsey/Nielsen IQ 2020). With PEFC purchases and using the PEFC mark on certified packaging, the brand owner can communicate their commitment to sustainable development to their customers.