Jan. 10, 2008 - Publishing firm Scholastic has set a five-year goal to buy 30% of its paper from sources certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). In addition, the company will boost use of recycled-content paper to 25% three-quarters of which will come from post-consumer waste.

The policy sets an ambitious target for the company, which last year purchased 95,000 tons of paper, just 4% of which was FSC-certified.

Scholastic worked with Rainforest Alliance and the Green Press Initiative to develop the new policy, which also includes a commitment to help educate children about responsible environmental practices. The company has launched a new website designed to educate kids about climate change and sustainability.

"Scholastic's environmental purchasing policy will set the bar for publishers," says Tensie Whelan, executive director of the Rainforest Alliance. "Its goal of ensuring that 30% of its paper supply is FSC-certified by 2012 will help create more demand for paper from responsibly managed forests."

Last summer, Scholastic made headlines in the publishing world with the announcement that it would publish the seventh volume of the best-selling Harry Potter series on recycled-content paper.

View a copy of Scholastic's new paper sourcing policy here.