"Whole Foods Market is thrilled to set the bar even higher in terms of reducing our environmental impact with paper bags that close the loop with 100 percent post-consumer reclaimed material," said Michael Besancon, Whole Foods Market Senior Global Vice President of Purchasing, Distribution, and Marketing. "The chain-of-custody that our paper bags have attained means these bags can be tracked throughout the supply chain - from post-consumer waste through processing and distribution to the shopper toting home groceries, all the while reducing pressure on virgin forests and protecting biodiversity."
The FSC, an international nonprofit that promotes the responsible management of the world's forests, offers the most comprehensive standard for certification of forest products. FSC-certified paper can originate from post-consumer recycled fiber or from forests certified according to the FSC's rigorous forest management standards. The FSC's independently verified chain-of-custody system requires paper producers to track their certified fiber throughout the production and distribution process. Because of its high standards and independence from the timber industry, the FSC is considered by environmental organizations around the world to be the gold standard for forest product certification, according to Whole Foods Market.
"Whole Foods Market's decision to provide FSC-certified grocery bags sets a tremendous example for its industry peers," said Corey Brinkema, FSC-United States President. "It also helps educate its customers about the importance of forest stewardship."
"While bringing your own reusable bag is always the best choice, Whole Foods Market's switch to FSC-certified bags made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled content is a great step forward. This move virtually eliminates the bags' impact on forests and also sends a strong signal to other businesses that making the right environmental choices is possible," said Allen Hershkowitz, Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)."Consumers want and deserve better environmental options when they open their wallets. Whole Foods Market is delivering those options, both with this new bag and with its previous efforts to promote reusable bags as well as protect endangered forests and prevent native forests from being converted to tree plantations."
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