A recent survey conducted in the UK has revealed that there is a lack of knowledge among the general public about the sources of natural materials such as cork, bamboo, and rubber. The survey, which was commissioned by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) UK, found that only around half of the participants could accurately identify which of these materials are sourced from trees.
The lack of knowledge is even more pronounced when it comes to textiles and the source of the materials used to make them. The survey found that over twice as many people incorrectly believed that cotton, which is sourced from plants grown agriculturally, is sourced from forests. On the other hand, viscose, which is made from cellulose mostly sourced from trees, is often mistaken as being sourced from forests. Surprisingly, even polyester, which is made from petroleum, was thought to be sourced from trees by the same number of people who correctly identified viscose as being tree-derived.
The survey also revealed that 73% of people think it is important for man-made cellulosic fibers, such as viscose, to be sustainably sourced. However, their lack of knowledge about where these materials come from may be undermining their good intentions. While younger generations are known for their awareness and action towards sustainability, they lag behind older generations in identifying that cork and natural rubber also come from trees. Only 30% of millennials correctly identified cork as a tree-derived material, and 34% knew that natural rubber is also sourced from trees.
Tallulah Chapman, Communications Manager at FSC UK, commented on the survey results, saying, “FSC certification is now common-place in the wood and paper sectors, and it is fairly easy to find FSC-labelled products of this kind in the UK. FSC has continually developed over the 30 years since its foundation, expanding its tools to support more forest-dependent industries and forest-based products.” She also highlighted that the first FSC-certified garments are now available in the UK, giving shoppers the option to choose clothing made with responsible forestry practices.
The survey also found that more than half of the participants look for certification labels when shopping for forest-based products, and 90% of them recognize the FSC logo. When thinking about shopping for products made from wood or paper, the FSC label is the most recalled certification label. Additionally, when shown the FSC logo, 79% of the participants said they had seen it before.
For those who want to ensure that their purchases support responsible forestry, it is essential to start by asking what materials a product is made from. Looking for credible certification labels, such as FSC for forest-based products, can make it easier to ensure that actions align with sustainability intentions.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.