Sustainable sourcing

Doing our part to protect forest landscapes

At Costco we share the growing concern for our planet’s forests and take their protection seriously for many reasons, including the need to keep them healthy to address climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, store it in their trunks and roots (called carbon sequestration) and then release oxygen, helping to purify our air and water. Also, forests are home to plants, animals, birds and insects; help retain moisture; and promote soil health.

There are many perspectives on how to best protect forests, with many stakeholders of varying cultures, viewpoints and land conservation practices. Here’s a look at the policies we follow for our wood, paper and fibre-based products.

We believe that the best first step is to source these products from responsibly managed and certified forests. To achieve this, we employ forest management certifications through three leading groups: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), with a preference for FSC. Products that have these certifications have met strict standards to support sustainable forests.

In other areas—such as where cocoa and coffee are grown—our goal is to do business with local growers and producers who share a commitment to protecting forests and helping rural communities to thrive while serving as stewards of the land. Meanwhile, we will continue to look at ways to improve our sourcing practices, explore alternative fibres and increase the recycled content, when feasible.

We are also incorporating forest-friendly practices where we can in our operations. For example, the pages of this magazine are sourced from certified forests.

We stipulate that fibre used in paper-based packaging should not contribute to deforestation. Our Costco.ca shipping boxes are made from recycled content and are fully recyclable. Also, you’ll see FSC certification on products like cedar playsets, gazebos, pavilions and teak items. Our Kirkland Signature™ bathroom tissue comes from certified programs, not clear-cutting. Our Kirkland Signature parchment paper and gift-wrap paper are also FSC-certified.

You can learn more in our Sustainability Commitment. You’ll find a link on that page to our global sustainability page, which includes details on forest protections.

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