by Jonathan Lash and Björn Stigson

Decisions regarding the purchase and use of wood and paper-based products can have far reaching, long-term impacts. Consumers, retailers, investors, and communities are taking an increased interest in how their buying decisions affect the environment. Will their purchase today help or hurt the availability of similar products or important natural resources for future generations? These decisions are also expanding rapidly as forests are being recognized as important renewable resources for addressing global warming and for renewable energy.

A variety of tools, initiatives, and labels has been developed to guide consumers of wood and paper based-products. But many organizations that want to implement a sustainable procurement policy may not have the necessary resources and familiarity with the issues to efficiently sort through the myriad choices available. The purpose of this publication is to help them.

This report was created to help procurement managers make informed choices. Specifically it:

• Identifies and explains the central issues around sustainable procurement of wood and paper-based products;
• Provides an overview of the key tools, initiatives, programs and labels currently available –a “Guide to the Guides”; and
• Surveys the maze of slang, jargon and “techno-speak” that often stands in the way of effective understanding and communication.

For the reader who wants more information, a companion website is available at www.SustainableForestProds.org. This website contains additional information about the resources available to procurement managers that are described within this report. The website will be continuously updated to reflect the latest developments in this rapidly changing field.

For the reader who would rather have less information, a brief introductory report is available: Sustainable Procurement of Wood and Paper-based Products: An introduction. We believe that these resources will stimulate and help organizations of all sizes and types to find their place in the critical process of sustainable procurement. It is important that those decisions be based on the best available information.

We welcome your comments, questions and opinions.

Sincerely,