Why We Must Switch to FSC® Certified Printing
Malayan Tiger
The Malaysian jungle is home to a variety of animals such as the Malayan tapir, mouse deer, Sumatran rhinoceros, sun bear, clouded leopard, black panther, and Asian elephant. Many of these animals are facing extinction due to poaching and deforestation.
The national animal of Malaysia is the Malayan tiger, one of the most beautiful animals in the world. Twenty years ago, there were about 300 Malayan tigers in our jungle. The latest studies indicate that there are only 150 left in the wild.
Deforestation is being carried out to make way for palm oil plantations and road construction. All these developments have encroached on wildlife sanctuaries, and sooner or later, we will see wild boars roaming our streets.
What is FSC®?
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is an international non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in 1993 that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests.
FSC® monitors that forests are replanted so that deforestation’s impact will not harm wildlife and the climate. They ensure that paper comes from responsible sources.
They advise FSC® printers on proper ink disposal to prevent river pollution and recommend recycling waste paper to prevent it from ending up in landfills.
FSC® printers can only use paper from certified FSC® paper suppliers for printing. Featuring the FSC® logo on printed materials shows that you are a responsible company.
Clear and Present Danger
Singapore is considered a green city, with trees planted everywhere, and it is one of the cleanest cities in the world. But pollution in Singapore is bad due to offshore petroleum refineries, factories, and traffic.
Harmful gases released by factories and vehicles damage the atmosphere. Airplanes releasing unused petrol into the atmosphere when landing exacerbate environmental damage.
Cutting trees adds carbon dioxide to the air and reduces the ability to absorb existing carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and harming both animals and humans.
Forest fires in Australia and floods in Europe indicate that global warming is a clear and present danger. Using certified FSC® printing can help fight global warming.
Climate Change in Malaysia
Malaysians are aware of global warming. Sometimes the weather becomes so hot that water shortages occur, causing suffering for everyone.
Sometimes it rains so much that vegetables cannot grow well, causing prices to rise. Climate change can make fruits and vegetables more expensive.
In Cameron Highlands, one of Malaysia’s main tourist destinations, land is cleared for agriculture, damaging the ecosystem and causing floods in higher ground areas. Imagine what will happen to low-lying areas during Malaysia’s monsoon seasons.
The situation will only worsen if nothing is done. We must support and encourage companies to use environmentally friendly packaging and printing.
Tea Plantation in Cameron Highland
FSC® Printing during Covid 19
Paper prices have risen due to disruptions in overseas shipments caused by Covid-19. During this time, it was difficult to obtain FSC® paper, as Malaysian paper suppliers were unwilling to stock it due to lower demand.
FSC® should address this to ensure that FSC® paper is readily available at a reasonable price to protect our forests.
The Future of Printing
When Malaysians see packaging boxes with recycle or FSC® logos, they will be more than happy to buy the product, knowing they are contributing to saving the environment.
Most people appreciate companies that care about the environment. As long as the climate continues to change, environmentally friendly printing will be the future trend.
Conclusions
None of us want to tell our grandchildren about the majestic Malayan tiger only through pictures. We want to sustain our environment so that future generations can also enjoy Malaysia’s wildlife wonders.
Take them to visit ‘Taman Negara’. Show them the actual ‘Sang Kancil’ and tell them all the folk stories about this animal. Let them know that we also have clouded leopards and black panthers in Malaysian soil.
Climate change is here to stay, and more people will realize the importance of environmentally friendly printing. FSC® printing can save our forests and improve your business simultaneously.
Mouse deer, our ‘Sang Kancil’